REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 1, 2022
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to the Provider Participation Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services for the Medi-Cal County Inmate Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Provider Participation Agreement No. 20-283 (State Agreement 20-MCIPSANBERNARDINO-36), with the California Department of Health Care Services for the Medi-Cal County Inmate Program, retroactively effective January 1, 2022.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) will present to the Board of Supervisors (Board) the financial details once they are made available by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). With respect to the Sheriff, the Medi-Cal County Inmate Program (MCIP) will allow for the continuation of cost avoidance for inpatient services provided by non-county facilities by an estimated $1,000,000. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the ARMC 2021-22 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of this amendment will add an additional provision and update an incorrect citation in the original agreement which requires the County to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to ensure that qualifying inmate patients that have speech, hearing and/or vision disabilities are provided material information in the formats needed to provide the most assistance in making informed choices, including braille, large font, and audio. The amendment also amends the County’s legal name in the agreement from “County of San Bernardino” to “San Bernardino County.” The retroactive date of the amendment is a requirement from California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and adds no financial impact to the agreement.
ARMC provides inpatient care to inmates incarcerated in correctional facilities throughout the County, as needed. Federal law prohibits claiming Medi-Cal funds for healthcare services provided to inmates residing in correctional facilities. An exception to this law allows reimbursement to ARMC for the acute inpatient medical care services provided to inmates enrolled in Medi-Cal. DHCS’ ability to draw federal funds for allowable services, consistent with federal law, allows ARMC to receive reimbursement of costs that would have otherwise been incurred and not billable. In addition, the Program allows the Sheriff to reduce the amount paid for inpatient services at non-county facilities. Participation in the MCIP is voluntary and counties have the option to participate in this program by entering into a Provider Participation Agreement (Participation Agreement) with the DHCS yearly.
On May 19, 2020 (Item No. 21), the Board approved the current Participation Agreement and the indefinite duration of the agreement with DHCS as an exception to the Standard County contract term of five years established in County Policy 11-06 SP1. However, either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice or DHCS may terminate for cause effective immediately if the County fails to comply with the terms of the agreement.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 16, 2022; County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 17, 2022; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance and Budget Officer, 580-3165) on February 17, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 17, 2022