TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a contract and all necessary amendments, including term extensions, with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for payment of administrative services related to the Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Services Supplemental Reimbursement program (GEMT). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Services Supplemental Reimbursement program (GEMT) is a voluntary Certified Public Expenditure program authorized by the State of California Welfare and Institutions Code. The program provides additional funding to eligible governmental entities that provide GEMT services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. On September 4, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the State Plan Amendment (SPA) 09-024. Effective January 30,2010, SPA 09-024 authorizes the federal share of the supplemental reimbursement payments based on uncompensated costs for Medi-Cal fee-for-service transports. By providing emergency medical services and transport to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) is an eligible provider of GEMT services and is participating in the GEMT program.
The State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has contracted with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department (SMFD) to provide administrative services to the GEMT program. The administrative services include the development of GEMT cost reports, provision of technical information to the State and Federal governments, program development to expand the scope of eligible costs, and program guidance to participating agencies. As a participating agency, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) is required to enter into an agreement with SMFD for these services. For their administrative fee, SMFD requires one percent of the GEMT gross State supplemental reimbursement and an estimated fee of $3.00 per GEMT reimbursable transport. The term of the agreement is from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson and Director of Financial Management John Gross on March 4, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The DHCS will not release GEMT reimbursement payments to participating agencies until the agreement with SMFD is approved. City Council action on this matter is requested on March 18, 2014, to finalize the contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Administrative fees for State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (January 30, 2010 through July 31, 2013) are estimated to be approximately $66,500 and will be managed within current appropriation in the Fire Department. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL A. DUREE
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER