To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Amended Project Addenda to the Master Health Information Exchange Organization Participation Agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network Dated June 12, 2018
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network dated June 12, 2018, in order to include the costs associated with licensure and platform development and maintenance therein and increase the maximum amount payable thereunder, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Mental Health Fund; Public Health Fund; Intergovernmental Transfer Funds
DISCUSSION:
North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network (NCHIIN) is a non-profit California corporation that operates an internet-based system that provides an interface for secure electronic health information exchange between participants using otherwise incompatible computer systems. NCHIIN’s internet-based system essentially functions as a “translator” that interprets participants’ incompatible electronic records data so that it may be shared and accessed by other participants for treatment purposes.
On March 27, 2018 (Item C-10), the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved, and authorized the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director to execute, a master health information exchange organization participation agreement, and associated project addenda, with NCHIIN regarding the implementation of various data solutions in accordance with any and all applicable confidentiality requirements. Due to the annual costs of the required licenses that provide access to DHHS users, the projects associated with the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN have exceeded the original amount allocated.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN dated June 12, 2018, in order to include the costs associated with licensure and platform development and maintenance therein and increase the maximum amount payable thereunder, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Execution of amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN will increase the maximum amount payable thereunder from $108,000.00 to $158,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020.
Expenditure appropriations related to the amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN have been included in the approved fiscal year 2019-20 budget for DHHS - Mental Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN is available through existing grant and intergovernmental transfer funds received by DHHS. As a result, authorizing the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health, facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute amended project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN dated June 12, 2018, in order to include the costs associated with licensure and platform development and maintenance therein and increase the maximum amount payable thereunder. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow for the full implementation of the various data solutions covered by the current project addenda to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Master Health Information Exchange Organization Participation Agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network Dated June 12, 2018
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-8; C-13; C-6; C-10
Meeting of: 07/08/14; 04/26/16; 01/24/17; 03/27/18
File No.: 19-1652