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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 11031987 - 2.3 THE .BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on _November 3 , 1987__, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson, Schroder NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Proposal for Long-term Care Insurance Mark Finucane, Health Services Director, appeared before the Board today to comment on the proposal of Supervisor McPeak that the managers of the Contra Costa Health Plan and its Advisory Board explore the feasibility of sponsoring a long-term care insurance plan. (A copy of Supervisor McPeak' s proposal is attached. ) He spoke of the costs of long-term care particularly for the elderly who all too often assume they have this protection under the MediCare Program only to learn this assumption is not valid after spending $20 ,000 to $30 ,000 or more on an illness that deletes their lifetime savings. Mr. Finucane advised of the necessity to review the merit and financial consequences in undertaking such a program.. In discussing the review process of the proposal, Mr. Finucane recommended four points for consideration: 1. Review of the proposal by the actuaries of the Contra Costa Health Plan; 2. Perceive the proposal as a joint venture with an insurance company; 3 . Risk-sharing; and 4. Potential legislative or regulatory changes with the State and Federal Governments. Mr. Finucane advised of his desire to have a report to the Board in 90 days on the feasibility of instituting such a program under the management of the County Health Plan. Supervisor Powers recommended seeking some assistance from the State and of the possibility of MediCal sponsoring a pilot program to address this problem. Supervisor Fanden suggested conferring with Directors of the Kaiser Health Plan on geriatric care and to possibly consider a joint venture at some future time. Therefore, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the comments of the Health Services Director are ACCEPTED and the 4-point review procedure as noted above is ENDORSED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director is REQUESTED to report to the Board on the feasibility of undertaking a long-term care program as soon as possible. 1 her"•hy coriffy tP',i this 13 0tr!a�sne r.�i;�c'cC�js 04 an action; tal-an and entered 0n the.rfr± cd the cc• Health Services Director Bopsd of SuPervfsors on the Baty shown. County Administrator ATTESTED- a _ f f QR, Clerk cf of Supervisors ar?d Counter Adn ;i,isfra;er Deputy ToBOARD OP SUPERVISORS '0 FRCM: SUNNE WRIGHT MC PEAKContra CW t.r,..l DATE: Introducedctobe.r 27 0 1987 , C�y For Action on November J, 1987 7 SUBJECT: Amendment to Long-Term are Recommendation SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Request the Contra Costa Health Plan and its Advisory Board to explore the feasibility of sponsoring a long-term care insurance plan. Such a long-term insurance plan would .be available to all residents, and premium payments should be itax deductible. Further, a feasibility review should involve input from the Advisory County on Aging, the Gray Panthers, AARP (Association of Retired Persons) , volunteering private sector companies, and geriatric specialists. Also, request the CCHP to report back to the Board within the next six months as to the viability of pursuing this concept. I BACKGROUND The aging population, coupled with lack of sufficient public resources to care for the frail elderly, forces new solutions. Most health insurance plans ( including MediCare) do not provide coverage for long-term care and other services for the frail elderly. Other than Medica]., which is seriously underfunded, there are very few insurance plans which cover nursing home stays, in-home supportive services, home health care, adult day health care or hospice care. There is a need to encourage more individuals to plan ahead and purchase long-term care insurance for the future by making all or part of the premiums tax deductible. The tax deduction would probably require some additional legislation. It makes good sense to urge the Contra Costa Health Plan to manage as well as sponsor a long-term insurance program. Management of services rendered under a comprehensive long- term insurance plan would insure the most appropriate kind of care (ranging from skilled nursing facility to home care) without patients being directed to inappropriate. options because of economic reasons. CONTINUED ON ATTACIMENT. X__. YES SIGNATURE: _-_ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OV BOARD COMMITTEE ___-- APPROVE ____._._ OTHER I GNATUR E S 1: ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RE=COMMENDED _ OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY T14AT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT - ) AN1) CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: PIDES'. ____ AND ENTERED ON THE M I PIUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT;----- - ABSTAIN: OF SUPER`✓I SOBS ON THE DATE SHOW-,4. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X383;1-B3 BY- - -- - ---- -------- DEPUTY o , r Amendment to Long-Term Care Recommendation Introduced October .27 , 1987 Page 2 for Action on November 3 , 1987 . Attached is an advertisement for the special senior plan in our Contra Costa Health Plan. Imagine a similar ad campaign that markets long-term insurance. While a state- sponsored long-term insurance plan should be pursued, it is worth investigating the feasibility of sponsorship here with our CCHP in order to identify the issues and possibilities. i i i ors need that ,- -Me' icare covers .. an ® 00 more ,J Y ....... y d, '6 J 5. i o r j r ducin i .t r a, t a. :a?:. x oeniorHealth t:;c"`' : e dmiorHe alth Ru 'NG L S L'.. ffxa: .. . .... >'M z. _ heal,ly choice ce fcr senior ct ens yie • :iii! \'.. t:F,2. fr E. W d. g c.. is �a �C 'k iior}flealth offers ou in addition to all ` .4: r 1` �.r .:aicare covered services: ;:<>:'::2: :<.><a No Medicare deductibles o No copayments ry P�. ' � S No m tial for 'm ry s Choice of your own personal physician from among our medical staff. �-• ' Emergency eY cartthroughout the U.S. . Y •a A �1foHealth Plus our higher option plan, ers all the benefits of the Basic Plan Plus: ® Prescriptions fully covered CONTRA COSTA * Eve and hearing exams IIFALT' PLAN * Glasses and hearing aids ' 3052 Willow Pass Road Concord, CA 94519 e Basic dental services c,Worldwide coverage for emergency care �®®MOMM IM®®®MM =®CM®M®•®®®®imam MMUMMMMM sally, Seniors can rest assured that your 91 alas needs are covered. 1 Yes, Jean, I would like more information about D 11 or write us today for more information. 1 CONTRA COSTA HEALTH PLAN'S SeniorHealth Programs I{ for .lean Fehr-SeniorHealth Representative. ; ❑ Please call me'to schedule a presentation 0 (415) 671-4550 1 ❑ Please send me more information 0 � B 1 Name - ---------- -- ---- -—.... - B Address ------- FORDABLE CAI{E:.r.j.(jS..SERVICE 1 — -- -- ------ � Y City ----- ----State-- _-Zip _erally qualified health maintenance organization t9 Phone----------- --------- -- , � jg . Best time to call: ❑ Weekdays ❑ Weeknights ❑ Weekends