To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Partnership HealthPlan of California Regarding the Coordination of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC Program)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California regarding the coordination of the WIC Program; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed copy of the attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California to the DHHS - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1002- Remove barriers to quality healthcare
DISCUSSION:
As part of the state budget for fiscal year (FY) 2012-13, the State of California authorized expansion of Medi-Cal managed care into counties that had previously provided Medi-Cal benefits on a fee-for-service basis only. On May 14, 2013, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted Ordinance 2501 authorizing the County of Humboldt to join the Partnership HealthPlan of California, a regional County Organized Health System model of Medi-Cal managed care.
As a condition of the contract with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Partnership HealthPlan of California is required to execute a MOU with the Humboldt County DHHS - Public Health describing the responsibilities of the County of Humboldt and Partnership HealthPlan of California in the delivery of WIC Program services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are served by both parties. A MOU was previously approved by the Board on June 17, 2014.
The attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California has been updated to comply with the requirements set forth in recent federal Medicaid managed care rules and Partnership HealthPlan of California’s 2024 agreement with DHCS. The attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California will fully replace the previous version thereof and allow for the continued coordination of WIC Program services in Humboldt County to ensure continuity of care for mutual clients and avoid duplication of services.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Expenditures related to administration of the WIC Program are included in the adopted FY 2024-25 budget for DHHS - Public Health WIC Nutrition (1175415). However, there are no direct costs associated with the attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Approval of the attached MOU with Partnership HealthPlan of California will not impact current staffing levels but will allow program staff to continue to coordinate care for mutual clients.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Health Care Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with Partnership HealthPlan of California regarding the coordination of WIC Program services in Humboldt County. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow DHHS - Public Health to coordinate WIC Program services in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and standards.
ATTACHMENTS:
MOU Partnership HealthPlan of California
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 5/14/13; 6/17/14
File No.: C-8; C-10