REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Council on Aging - Southern California to Provide Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 25-174 with Council on Aging - Southern California, to provide Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act services, increasing the contract by $900,000, from $650,000 to an amount not to exceed $1,550,000, and exercising the first of two one-year options to extend the contract term by one year, for a total contract period of April 1, 2025 through August 31, 2027.
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director, 891-3917)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General funding (Net County Cost). The increased contract amount of $900,000 is 50% federally funded and 50% state funded through the California Department of Aging (CDA). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Aging and Adult Services’ (DAAS) 2026-27 budget and will be included in the 2027-28 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CDA administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the state. As the designated local Area Agency on Aging, DAAS receives CDA funding to administer the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), which includes Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) services. DAAS has been providing HICAP and MIPPA services through a contracted agency since 1998.
HICAP services include free and objective public information, education, and counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and those nearing Medicare eligibility who are seeking options and information relating to medical insurance coverage. HICAP services offer confidential one-on-one counseling to individuals and their representatives on Medicare options and benefits. HICAP services include application assistance for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). Other services include reviewing health maintenance organizations and managed care options, comparing Medicare plans, and challenging denials or preparing appeals.
MIPPA funds are used to enhance outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. This includes more intensive outreach and enrollment assistance on Medicare Part D to individuals in rural areas and individuals in all areas who may be eligible for LIS and MSP. MIPPA activities must be over and above those related activities provided through basic federal HICAP funding.
On March 25, 2025 (Item No. 5), as a result of a formal procurement, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract No. 25-174 with Council on Aging - Southern California (COASC), to provide HICAP and MIPPA services, in the total amount of $650,000, for the contract period of April 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
On July 23, 2026, additional funding was released from the State. After completing the required internal reviews and approvals this Board date represents the earliest opportunity to present the extension. This schedule does not result in any lapse in funding, does not incur penalties, and does not negatively affect the delivery of client services.
COASC has fully met all performance requirements under the current contract. The contractor has consistently delivered all required services in a timely manner, in accordance with established contract standards, and has maintained clear and effective communication with department staff. Based on COASC’s satisfactory performance, operational reliability, and demonstrated comprehension of program requirements, DAAS recommends the continuation of contracted services. Retaining the current contractor will promote stability, ensure consistency in service delivery, and support ongoing compliance with all performance standards.
Approval of this item will allow DAAS to continue contracting with COASC to provide HICAP and MIPPA services to older adults and Medicare recipients countywide for an additional one year, through August 31, 2027.
The contract may be terminated by the County immediately if funds are not available to the County or without cause by the County by serving a written notice to the Contractor thirty days in advance of termination.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Manager, 388-0222) on July 22, 2026; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 21, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (John Hallen, Principal Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on August 7, 2026.