COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Counsel

DATE:

March 3, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 28, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

No

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

County Counsel

SUBJECT:

County Employee’s Service as Medicare Implementation Manager for the Health Plan of San Mateo

RECOMMENDATION:

1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement between the County of San Mateo and the Health Plan of San Mateo.

2) Adopt an ordinance amending the salary ordinance adding one position of Medicare Implementation Manager of the Health Plan of San Mateo.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: The transactions are consistent with the commitments to basic health and safety for all and responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal(s): The transactions are based on Goal 5, access to healthcare and preventive care and Goal 22, County and local governments effectively collaborate to develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire county.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05

Actual

FY 2005-06

Projected

Implementation of Medicare Services on a Local Level

N/A

Provide a Medicare Implementation Manager to facilitate Implementation

BACKGROUND:

The Health Plan of San Mateo provides local control over administration of Medi-Cal and other related health services for residents of the County of San Mateo, as well as three other “product lines” whose objective is to maintain access to healthcare in the County of San Mateo.

In light of the recent retirement of the Executive Director of the Health Plan of San Mateo, your Board recently approved a contract authorizing the Health Services Agency to “lend” one of its employees to the Health Plan to serve as an Interim Executive Director in exchange for the Health Plan’s reimbursement of the Interim Executive Director’s salary and expenses.

The Health Plan has applied for authorization to implement the Medicare Plan in the County of San Mateo, and expects that approval is forthcoming in the near future. The program will have positive impacts on the County Medical Center and on access to healthcare in the county. However, a large amount of groundwork will need to be done in a very short time in order to meet the regulatory requirements.

DISCUSSION:

It is proposed that the County “lend” its employee Carolyn Thon to the Health Plan to serve as Medicare Implementation Director. Ms. Thon has worked at the County Medical Center for many years, and has extensive knowledge of the Medicare program and its regulatory requirements. This transaction was approved by the Health Commission on June 8, 2005, with the understanding that the agreement would terminate if the federal Center for Medicare Services does not approve the Health Plan’s status as a Medicare provider.

The Health Plan will fully reimburse the county for all expenses incurred in connection with Ms. Thon’s employment, including her salary and the same benefits as those received by other county managers.

The salary ordinance would create the position of Medicare Implementation Director of the Health Plan of San Mateo.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact as the Health Plan will fully reimburse the county for all expenses incurred in connection with Ms. Thon’s employment.