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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09242013 - C.24RECOMMENDATION(S): Approve and Authorize the Health Services Director or his designee, to execute, and submit to the State of California Health Benefit Exchange (the “Exchange”), also known as Covered California, a government agency, a non-financial agreement, for the County to act as a Certified Enrollment Entity for the In-Person Assistance Program (IPA), for the period from October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014. FISCAL IMPACT: Approval of the Agreement will result in a non-financial agreement to allow the County to support the Exchange IPA Program. No County match required. BACKGROUND: The Exchange is a new marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act that will offer subsidized health insurance coverage in the form of premium assistance and cost sharing reductions to individuals and families with incomes between 138% - 400% of the Federal Poverty Level limits. Premium assistance and/or cost sharing reductions will only be available to consumers in California through the Exchange. Consumers may enroll in one of the health plans offered through the Exchange during the open enrollment period October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 with an effective APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 09/24/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: William Walker, M.D. (925) 957-5403 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: September 24, 2013 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Chris Heck, Deputy cc: J Pigg, D Gary C. 24 To:Board of Supervisors From:William Walker, M.D. Date:September 24, 2013 Contra Costa County Subject:Agreement #28-358 with the State of California Health Benefit Exchange BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) date of January 1, 2014. Consumers will not be able to obtain premium assistance and/or cost sharing reductions through the private health insurance market. Regardless of whether a consumer is determined to be eligible for subsidies, the Exchange will provide access to coverage and premiums in an easy to access and understandable format at the same price that is available outside the Exchange. The mission of the Exchange is to increase the number of insured Californians, improve health care quality, lower costs, and reduce health disparities through an innovative, competitive marketplace that empowers consumers to choose the health plan and providers that give them the best value. The goal and purpose of this agreement #28-358 is for the County to become an enrollment entity for Covered California and to take advantage of training provided to certify county staff as enrollment counselors. Certified Enrollment Counselors will help facilitate enrollment and retention into the insurance programs offered through the Exchange through December 31, 2014. By executing this Agreement, the County will indemnify and hold the State of California harmless if the County breaches HIPAA with no damage limitations. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If this Agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to participate in this training offered by Covered California, precluding county staff from earning the certification necessary to become enrollment counselors. Staff will be unable to assist individuals and families with the application process or to provide other types of consumer assistance related to covered California. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Not Applicable