COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health System

 

DATE:

January 25, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 15, 2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5th

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System
Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services

   

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the California Department of Aging for Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 services

 

RECOMMENDATION:

A)

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the:

 
   
 

1.

President of the Board to execute Agreement No. 2M-1011-08 with the California Department of Aging for funding under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 for enhanced outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible Medicare beneficiaries for the term January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, in the amount of $40,604; and

     
 

2.

Chief of the Health System or designee to execute contract amendments which modify the funding amount by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.

     

B)

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request in the amount of $20,302 from unanticipated revenue to Provider Services Programs for FY 2010-11.

     

BACKGROUND:

In June 2008 the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) was signed into law. MIPPA amended titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access.

 

This is the second two-year non-competitive grant in MIPPA funding from the federal government that the California Department of Aging (CDA) received. These funds were allocated to Area Agencies on Aging Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Programs (HICAP) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

 

DISCUSSION:

Aging and Adult Services (AAS) contracts with a community-based organization, Self-Help for the Elderly, to provide HICAP, a volunteer-supported program that provides three basic services: community education, lay counseling, and advocacy related to Medicare. Self Help for the Elderly was selected to provide HICAP services through a Request for Proposals process conducted in December 2008 for the contract term July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2013. HICAP is an integral component of California’s community-based long-term care system. Medicare beneficiaries and those under 65 who are about to become eligible for Medicare or who are disabled and on Medicare are eligible for HICAP services.

 

This Agreement with CDA allows AAS to receive federal MIPPA funds and to work with HICAP to expand Medicare beneficiary enrollment in the Prescription Drug Benefit Low Income Subsidy Program, the Medicare Savings Program, and in general rural outreach and enrollment efforts for Medicare Part D.

 

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

 

This Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by allowing AAS to provide clients with objective health insurance counseling, advocacy and assistance. It is anticipated that 75% of HICAP service recipients will feel that they have gained useful knowledge and feel that their personal life has improved as a result of the services received. In FY 2009-10 Self Help for the Elderly exceeded the expectations of 75% in the following performance measures.

 

Performance Measures:

Measures

FY 2009-10
Actual

FY 2010-11
Projected

Percent of HICAP service recipient stakeholder survey respondents indicating that their personal life has improved as a result of services received*

82%

75%

Percent of HICAP service recipient stakeholder survey respondents indicating that they gained useful knowledge through the presentations, trainings, conferences, and resources provided*

91%

75%

* These measures are reported annually at the end of the fiscal year.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Execution of this Agreement with CDA allows the County to claim its allocation of MIPPA funding in the amount of $20,302 for FY 2010-11 and $20,302 for FY 2011-12. The total amount of the Agreement is $40,604 in federal funds. Funds for FY 2011-12 will be included in the AAS FY 2011-12 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement.