To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
First Amendment to the Master Health Information Exchange Organization Participation Agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network, in order to clarify the term thereof, define the compensation, payment and execution requirements applicable thereto and increase the maximum amount payable thereunder to $200,000 for the period of March 27, 2018 to March 31, 2022;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network, 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 original copy of the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170), Public Health Fund (1175), 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 functions as a “translator” that interprets participants’ incompatible electronic records data so that it may be accessed by other participants for treatment purposes.
On March 27, 2018 (Item C-10), the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved the current master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN regarding the implementation of various data solutions in accordance with any and all applicable confidentiality requirements. Since the approval of the master health information exchange organization participation agreement, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director has executed several project addenda designed to address varying service needs including, without limitation, public health information exchange, behavioral health information exchange, Sempervirens discharge data and the purchase of ActivateCare licenses.
Due to the annual costs of the required licenses that provide access to DHHS users, the amount of funding allocated to the projects associated with the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN must be increased. The attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN will clarify the term thereof, better define the compensation, payment and execution requirements applicable thereto and increase the maximum amount payable thereunder to $200,000 for the period of March 27, 2018 to March 31, 2022.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the exchange of needed health information.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN will increase the maximum amount payable thereunder from $158,000 to $200,000 for the period of March 27, 2018 through March 31, 2022. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN have been included in the approved fiscal year 2020-2021 budget for DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the attached first amendment 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, approval of the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service and facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached first amendment to the master health information exchange organization participation agreement with NCHIIN. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will 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. First Amendment to the Master Health Information Exchange Organization Participation Agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network
2. Master Health Information Exchange Organization Participation Agreement with North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-8; C-13; C-6; C-10; C-8
Meeting of: 07/08/14; 04/26/16; 01/24/17; 03/27/18; 11/19/19
File No.: 19-1652