To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form Regarding the Provision of Client Data to the California Mental Health Services Authorityend
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form regarding provision of client data to the California Mental Health Service Authority; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent certifications, attestations and other documents directly associated with the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one (1) electronic of the fully executed certified Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Health Care Services has issued nine (9) priority behavioral health Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (“HEDIS”) measures, as part of its Comprehensive Quality Strategy, with the goals of measuring both the effectiveness and availability of care to Medi-Cal Beneficiaries throughout the State of California.
The California Mental Health Services Authority has collaborated with the California Department of Health Care Services and the California External Quality Review Organization to determine the timelines and deliverables of HEDIS reporting requirements. Recognizing that counties may not have the capacity to respond to this requirement, the California Mental Health Services Authority has developed a program that uses data from counties’ service claims, plan data feeds and Medi-Cal eligibility files to calculate the HEDIS measures.
On Dec. 23, 2025, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (“DHHS - Behavioral Health”) entered into an agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority to support the HEDIS reporting requirements. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this agreement DHHS - Behavioral Health must supply client data to the California Mental Health Services Authority for HEDIS analysis.
The California Mental Health Services Authority has requested DHHS - Behavioral Health to sign the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization which will allow the California Mental Health Services Authority to receive DHHS - Behavioral Health client data directly from the California Department of Healthcare Services.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board of Supervisors authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form regarding the Provision of client data to the California Mental Health Services Authority. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent certifications, attestations and other documents directly associated with the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of client data to the California Mental Health Services Authority.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form. As a result, execution of the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Execution of the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Health Care Services; California Mental Health Services Authority
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form regarding the provision of client data to the California Mental Health Services Authority. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would limit DHHS - Behavioral Health’s ability to meet applicable HEDIS reporting requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Medi-Cal Connect Data Request and Release Authorization Form
2. Executed HEDIS Performance Measurement Program Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority
3. Executed Business Associate Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None