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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 11011994 - 1.42 r r , 1.42 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on November 1, 1994, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Smith, DeSaulnier, Bishop, Torlakson, and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE Item No. 1.42 LETTER dated October 20, 1994, from Sandra R. Somley, R.N., Secretary, State Health and Welfare Agency, 1600 Ninth Street, Room 460, Sacramento 95814, advising of the Administration's decision for a two-plan model for Expanding Medi-Cal Managed Care. ***REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR In=certify that this is a true and correct copyof an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the d to shown. Gl'\ 1 Cl,Q I ATTESTED: PHI BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator Deputy cc: Correspondents Health Services Director iLr PETE WILSON }tt{.e C��xlrtf.>�rxtt�. Department oVAging GOVERNOR pDepartment of Alcohol and Drug Program Health and Welfare Data Center hC1� � �r app � Department of Developmental Services oF.,hF t^'+ i� (�+"• Department of Economic Opportunity OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Emergency Medical Services Authority Employment Development Department 1600 NINTH STREET, ROOM 460 Department of Health Services Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 Department of Mental Health Department of Rehabilitation Department of Social Services Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development TELEPHONE (916)654-3454 October 20, 1994 FAX (916)654-3343 Mr. Tom Powers, Chair _ Board of Supervisors RECEIVED Contra Costa County County Administration Building 651 Pine Street, Room 106 + 2 1 Foa N ! Martinez, California 94553 CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Dear Supervisor Powers: CONTRA COSTA CO. Thank you for your letters of August 23, 1994, sharing with me your comments and concerns regarding movement toward a multiple plan model in lieu of developing the two- plan model envisioned.in the Administration's plan for Expanding Medi-Cal Managed Care. I apologize for"the delay in responding. As you know, a change in the Administration's policy has been advocated by those favoring more than one commercial (also known as the "Mainstream") plan in each of the counties designated for expansion of Medi-Cal managed care. After carefully considering our recent discussions with representatives of several health plans and the designated counties, the Administration has decided the two-plan model continues to offer the broadest advantages, in terms of maintaining competition and choice among plans, while protecting the county "safety net" as the Medi-Cal program expands its managed care program. We also believe the two-plan model provides the best opportunity for the counties to build Medi- Cal beneficiary enrollment in their Local Initiatives' health plans. Furthermore, given the Department of Health Services' (DHS) contract management resources, DHS' opportunities for assuring that the contracting health plans provide the best possible care are maximized by contracting with a limited number of health plans. Finally, moving away `from the two-plan model would be costly and complicated to the designated counties and many health plans which have been planning and developing programs consistent .with the two-plan model. Supervisor Powers Page Two We recognize, however, the possibility that commercial plans may not be interested in entering into contracts with Medi-Cal requiring them to provide health care county-wide, particularly in the more populated counties. Therefore, it is important for the Department to have a contingency plan should it be unsuccessful in its efforts to procure a qualified county- wide health plan in any one of the designated counties. Therefore, the procurement document for the commercial plan released on September 30, 1994 describes a process whereby the Department will take action to procure multiple qualified commercial health plans in any county where we do not receive an application from a qualified health plan for county-wide contract. This additional procurement step will take place after consulting with_the Board of Supervisors of the affected county. 'it is important to stress, however, that the Department's preference is to contract with only one commercial health plan in each of the counties. We appreciate your taking the time to share your recommendations on this very important issue. Your views and recommendations were very helpful in arriving at a final decision. Should you have additional comments or questions, please contact Ms. S. Kimberly Belsh6, Director, Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 1253, Sacramento, CA, 95814 or you may call Ms. Belsh6 at (916) 657-1425. Sincerely, SANDRA R. SMOLEY, R.N. Secretary Supervisor Tom Powers Page Three cc: The Honorable Daniel Boatwright S. Kimberly Belsh6 Member of the Senate Director State Capitol, Room 3086 Department of Health Services Sacramento, CA 95814 714 P Street, Room 1253 Sacramento, CA 95814 The Honorable Tom Bates Member of the Assembly Mr. John Rodriguez State Capitol, Room 446 Deputy Director Sacramento,m CA 95814 Medical Care Services Department of Health Services The Honorable Robert Campbell 714 P Street, Room 1253 Member of the Assembly Sacramento, Ca 95814 State Capitol, Room 2163 Sacramento, Ca 95814 The Honorable Richard Rainey Member of the Assembly State Capitol, Room 4015 Sacramento, CA 95814 Mr. Joseph A. Kelly, Chief Medi-Cal Managed Care Division Department of Health Services 714 P Street, Room 650 Sacramento, Ca 95814 Ms. Barbara Hooker Acting Assistant Secretary Program and Fiscal Affairs Health and Welfare Agency Office of the Secretary 1600 Ninth Street, Room 460 Sacramento, CA 95814 Mr. Ruben R. Gonzalez, Chief Medi-Cal Managed Care Expansion Branch 714 P Street, Room 650 Sacramento, Ca 95814