COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

August 20, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 9, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors acting as Governing Board of the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority of San Mateo County

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Aging and Adult Services

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the HealthWorx Group Agreement with the Health Plan of San Mateo

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the First Amendment to the HealthWorx Group Agreement with the Health Plan of San Mateo. This action is in the Board of Supervisors' capacity as the Governing Board of the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority.

Background

In November 2000 the IHSS Public Authority signed an agreement with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 715, which provided for health benefits to the independent providers. In accordance with the agreement between the Public Authority and SEIU, independent providers who are authorized to work a minimum of 35 hours a month are offered the opportunity to request health benefits. In August 2001 the Public Authority began providing health benefits to eligible providers.

On July 31, 2001, in the capacity of Governing Board of the Public Authority, your Board approved an agreement with the Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) to administer the health benefits under the program known as "HealthWorx."

In June 2003, a second such agreement was authorized, which included a provision that the term would expire after three years, or upon the end of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Public Authority and SEIU, whichever occurred first.

Discussion

The proposed amendment to the HPSM agreement changes the term language to specify a three-year term, August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2005. As well, it gives the Health Plan and the Public Authority the ability to negotiate new premium rates for the final year of the agreement.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this amendment as to form.

Vision Alignment

An amendment to the agreement with the Health Plan of San Mateo keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goals number 5: People - Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care and 8: People - Help vulnerable people - the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life. Services provided by the Health Plan of San Mateo will contribute to this commitment and to the goals by assisting eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals to remain in their own homes and avoid institutionalization.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement as amended is August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2005. The monthly premium per provider remains $185.31 plus a co-pay of $10 paid by the provider. Costs for the health insurance coverage that is administered through HPSM are included in the 2003-04 adopted budget for the Public Authority for IHSS. There is no impact on the county General Fund as a result of this action.