To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Mental Health
SUBJECT:
title
Business Associate/Qualified Service Organization Agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC Regarding the Exchange of Protected Health Information
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC regarding the exchange of protected health information; and direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Alcohol and Other Drugs Fund.
DISCUSSION:
As part of the statewide transition to the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System, the California Department of Health Care Services has requested that narcotic treatment providers begin billing the county of responsibility for services provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. As a result, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health (“DHHS - Mental Health”), recently received invoices from Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC for Drug Medi-Cal services provided to Humboldt County Medi-Cal beneficiaries during fiscal years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at one (1) or more out-of-county narcotic treatment facilities operated thereby. The attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement will enable Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC and DHHS - Mental Health to exchange protected health information needed to verify the validity of the above-referenced invoices.
Accordingly, DHHS - Mental Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC regarding the exchange of protected health information.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with approval of the attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC. As a result, the recommended actions will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved health and safety and providing appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached business associate/qualified service organization agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC regarding the exchange of protected health information. However, this alternative is not recommended since it may cause the County of Humboldt to be out of compliance with applicable laws, regulations and/or standards regarding reimbursement for Drug Medi-Cal services provided at out-of-county narcotic treatment facilities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Business Associate/Qualified Service Organization Agreement with Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC Regarding the Exchange of Protected Health Information
2. Invoice Letter received from Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC dated June 5, 2018
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A