TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Dina Jose - Director Corrections
REPORT BY: Anabel Silva, Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Renewal Agreement with California DHCS for Medi-Cal County Inmate Program (MCIP)
RECOMMENDATION
title
Director of Corrections requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign the renewal of Agreement No. 170747B (DHCS 23-30036 and 23-MCIPNAPA-28) with the California Department of Health Care Services for a maximum up to $10,400 per fiscal year for the term July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 to participate in the Medi-Cal County Inmate Program.
body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Corrections (Corrections) is requesting renewal of an agreement with California Department of Health Care Services to participate in the Medi-Cal County Inmate Program (MCIP) through the term ending June 30, 2026. MCIP enables Corrections to realize reduced inmate medical costs by benefiting from Federal financial participation for eligible inmate medical costs.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
|
Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
|
Where is it budgeted? |
Corrections Medical Services Subdivision 14000-04. |
|
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary Justification: |
This agreement will allow Corrections to utilize Federal funding to cover inpatient medical costs for Medi-Cal eligible County jail inmates. |
|
Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
|
Future fiscal impact: |
Each fiscal year’s expenses will be budgeted accordingly. |
|
Consequences if not approved: |
If the agreement is not approved, Corrections will be unable to access Federal funding for inpatient medical costs for Medi-Cal eligible inmates. |
|
County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
|
|
|
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Federal law prohibits claiming Medicaid funds for healthcare services provided to inmates residing in correctional facilities. This federal prohibition does not apply when an inmate receives inpatient services at a medical facility located off the grounds of the correctional facility for a stay of more than 24 hours and if the inmate is found to be Medicaid eligible. The affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility resulting in a large portion of Napa County’s inmates being eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. The Medi-Cal County Inmate Program (MCIP) establishes a process for submitting inmate medical claims to the California Department of Health Care Serviced (DHCS).
MCIP is voluntary and the County has the option to participate in this program by entering into an agreement with DHCS. The purpose of the MCIP agreement is to establish a process to submit claims for Medi-Cal enrolled inmates and to set amounts needed to satisfy the County’s responsibility to reimburse DHCS for the nonfederal share of MCIP services costs incurred by DHCS. Staff will continue to work with Queen of the Valley Medical Center and other local medical providers to ensure inmate medical claims are submitted in accordance with MCIP. If the County does not participate in MCIP, Corrections will remain responsible for inpatient medical costs that exceed the contracted limit with Wellpath of $25,000 per incident. Wellpath provides contracted medical service to inmates incarcerated at the Jail.
Under the agreement with DHCS, Corrections will be responsible for the administrative services costs listed below.
Administrative services cost of :
$3,182.79 for July 1, 2023 through and including June 30, 2024
$3,437.41 for July 1, 2024 through and including June 30, 2025
$3,712.45 for July 1, 2025 through and including June 30, 2026
Approval of Agreement No. 170747B with California Department of Health Care Services for a maximum up to $10,400 per fiscal year for the term July 1 2023 through June 30, 2026 will allow Corrections to participate in MCIP and use Federal funding for Medi-Cal eligible healthcare costs.