COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

September 29, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 18, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the State Department of Health Services for HIV-1 Viral Load Testing

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute a grant agreement with the State Department of Health Services for HIV-1 Viral Load Testing for the term of July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008 in the amount of $150,000

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal(s) Residents have access to healthcare and preventative care

This agreement contributes to this commitment and goal since local testing reduces the amount of time to obtain test results and supports patient care.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of tests resulted within 14 days.

89%

94%

BACKGROUND:

For the past six years, San Mateo County has received viral load testing (VLT) vouchers from the California State Office of AIDS for use in decreasing the county’s cost for testing clients who are ineligible for Medi-Cal. During this period, the County has been performing the viral load tests. The Public Health Laboratory’s infrastructure was upgraded several years ago in order to be able to perform these HIV-1 viral load tests with no additional staff requirements.

DISCUSSION:

As one of thirteen participating viral load test laboratories in California, the Public Health Laboratory provides HIV-1 VLT services for AIDS Drug Assistance-eligible clients from Early Intervention Program sites and Local Health Jurisdiction sites. In order to qualify for reimbursement, the County must follow a detailed protocol outlined by client eligibility and complete a VLT voucher for each sample submitted for analysis and subsequent reimbursement.

The client’s medical provider will determine the number of tests per individual and the frequency of testing. These tests are used to measure the viral load of patients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and used in determining treatment options. Fourteen days is the routine turnaround time for results.

The state contract allows for up to 500 of these tests to be reimbursed annually. The laboratory performs approximately 1,200 to 1,300, all of which are reimbursed either by the Health Plan of San Mateo, this state program or Medi-cal.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the agreement is July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. The total amount of the agreement is $150,000: $50,000 has been included in the approved FY 2005-06 budget, and $50,000 per year will be included in the recommended FY 2006-07 and FY 2007-08 budgets. There is no net County cost.