REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2020
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Authorization of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for Medicare Enrollment.
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Designate the Director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) as the authorized official for the County of San Bernardino (County), on behalf of ARMC, for Medicare program purposes, which grants the Director the legal authority to enroll County ARMC in the Medicare program, through the completion and execution of the Medicare Enrollment Application for Institutional Providers (CMS-855A), to make changes or updates to County ARMC’s status in the Medicare program, and to commit the County to fully abide by the statutes, regulations, and program instructions of the Medicare program, subject to the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) or any amendments to the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) being reviewed by County Counsel.
2. Direct the Director of ARMC to transmit Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) or any amendments to Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendations will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as Medicare Enrollment will result in reimbursements for services provided to Medicare Patients. Applications are non-financial.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This item will ensure County ARMC’s enrollment in Medicare in a timely and cost efficient manner. It grants the Director of ARMC the status of “authorized official,” as defined by the Medicare program, in regards to completing and executing of the Medicare Enrollment Application for Institutional Providers (CMS-855A), making changes or updates to County ARMC’s status in the Medicare program, and committing the County to fully abide by the laws, regulations, and program instructions of the Medicare program.
With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, Federal and State Government agencies, their contractors, and sub-contractors are continually requesting new agreements and additional cooperation in providing for the care, treatment, and review of medical and hospital needs, which have terms that are non-negotiable. In addition, the County is sometimes given short deadlines to approve and execute the required Medicare documents. The Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), which also require a Medicare Attestation Letter, are mandated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and must be submitted in a timely manner.
This item designates the Director of ARMC as the authorized official for Medicare program purposes. The designation will provide the Director of ARMC the authority to enroll County ARMC in the Medicare program by completing and executing the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), including Medicare Attestation Letters, required by HHS. This designation will also authorize the Director of ARMC to make changes or updates to County ARMC’s status in the Medicare program and to commit the County to fully abide by the statutes, regulations, and program instructions of the Medicare program. The Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), or any amendments to the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), are subject to County Counsel review.
For purposes of the Medicare program, an “authorized official” means an appointed official to whom the organization has granted the legal authority to enroll it in the Medicare program, to make changes or updates to the organization’s status in the Medicare program, and to commit the organization to fully abide by the laws, regulations, and program instructions of the Medicare program.
The Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), or any amendments to the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A), will be transmitted by ARMC to the Clerk of the Board within 30 days of execution.
This item will allow ARMC to pursue the County goals and objectives by working with HHS, by submitting the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) or any amendments to the Medicare Enrollment Application (CMS-855A) in a timely manner. It will also allow for ARMC to provide for the safety, health and social service needs of County residents by ensuring the County ARMC’s enrollment in Medicare.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 3, 2020; Finance (Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4773) on March 2, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on March 2, 2020.