COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

November 2, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 15, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the California Department of Aging (CDA) Agreement No. HI-0506-08

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute the First Amendment to Agreement No. HI-0506-08 with CDA for the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for Fiscal Year 2005-06 increasing the amount by $71,611 for a total of $254,916.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people—the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others—achieve a better quality of life.

Funds for HICAP contribute to this commitment and goal by providing clients with objective counseling, advocacy and assistance. The Performance Measure below shows the percent of stakeholder survey respondents indicating they have benefited from services provided through Aging and Adult Services (AAS), which includes HICAP.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of stakeholder survey respondents who indicated that their personal life has improved as a result of the services they have received through AAS

86%

97%

Percent of stakeholder survey respondents who indicated that they gained useful knowledge through the presentation, trainings, conferences and resources provided by AAS

100%

97%

BACKGROUND:

Aging and Adult Services contracts with a community-based organization to provide HICAP, a volunteer-supported program that provides clients with information and assistance related to Medicare and other health care coverage issues through community education, counseling and advocacy. Medicare beneficiaries and those under 65 who will soon be eligible for Medicare or who are disabled and currently enrolled in Medicare are eligible for HICAP services. Statewide HICAP is an integral component of California’s community-based long-term care system. Locally, the program is designed to carry out goals and objectives of the Area Agency on Aging Strategic Plan related to advocacy and health care.

In 2005-06 the services provided by HICAP will also address the community’s needs related to Medicare Part D, the new Prescription Drug Benefit that will take effect January 1, 2006. This change in prescription drug coverage will impact all Medicare beneficiaries who are also on Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income or one of the Medicare Savings Programs. The HICAP grant includes funding that may be used to increase staff to meet the need for additional counseling and community education during the transition period

On August 16, 2005, by Resolution 67508, your Board approved the Agreement with CDA for HICAP services in the amount of $183,305 for Fiscal Year 2005-06.

DISCUSSION:

This First Amendment will add funds for additional counseling services related to Medicare Part D. The independent contractor shall provide HICAP counseling, informal advocacy and education related to Medicare Part D to Medicare Beneficiaries. A contract for those services will be brought to your Board for approval.

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

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no change to the term of the Agreement; July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. This amendment increases the total amount by $71,611 ($10,632 in Federal funds and $60,979 in State funds) to $254,916. There is no impact on the County General Fund as a result of this action.