TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement, including any necessary amendments, with the State of California Department of Health Care Services, to receive allowable reimbursement revenue in an annual amount of $500,000, not to exceed $1,500,000, through the Medi-Cal Administrative Activities Program, for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On April 11, 2017, the City Council authorized an agreement with the State of California Department of Health Care Services (State) to accept funding in an amount not to exceed $2,250,000, for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, for the Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (MAA) Program.
Since 1994, the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has received funding through a contract with the State for the performance of administrative activities related to the MAA Program. The purpose of the MAA Program is to ensure that Medi-Cal-eligible individuals are enrolled and assisted in navigating the Medi-Cal system. The MAA Program also works to ensure that programs and policies assist in removing any barriers to Medi-Cal enrollment and Medi-Cal covered health care services. Administrative activities include: outreach, facilitating Medi-Cal applications, non-emergency transportation support, program planning, and policy development.
Under the terms of the new three-year MAA agreement (State Contract Number 20-10011, July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023), the Health Department will continue to be reimbursed for a portion of staff time and expenses to conduct outreach and engage eligible clients in the Medi-Cal system.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on March 3, 2020 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on March 6, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 14, 2020, to comply with State requirements and continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive reimbursement revenues in the amount of $500,000 for each grant year from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, to partially reimburse the costs for federally-eligible MAA. Expense appropriations were established through the annual budget process. The maximum reimbursable amount under the agreement is $1,500,000 for the three-year period. This is a reimbursement-based program, whereby the Health Department will receive revenues for services provided as part of the normal course of public health business practice. The Health Department will utilize existing staff to perform these Medi-Cal administrative activities during the course of their daily duties. There is no match or in-kind services requirement. Sufficient appropriations exist in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department to support this activity. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER