REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  October  10, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-5.

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to MOU with California Department of State Hospitals and California Mental Health Services Authority

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dean True, RN, MPH - Adult Services Branch Director, (530) 225-5901

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dean True, RN, MPH - Adult Services Branch Director

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize: (1) The Chairman to sign a retroactive amendment, effective July 1, 2016, to the Purchase of State Hospital Beds Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the California Department of State Hospitals, the California Mental Health Services Authority, and participating counties to provide state hospital bed use on an as-needed basis, extending the term an additional three years through June 30, 2019; and (2) the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director, or any HHSA Branch Director, as designated by the HHSA Director, to sign: (a) Purchase Agreements of State Hospital Beds at the rate of $626 to $775 per patient per day, to make placements of Shasta County residents at state hospitals for the entire term of the agreement, provided the Purchase Agreement or a form substantially similar has been approved by County Counsel; and (b) future amendments to the MOU extending the term provided it does not extend beyond June 30, 2024 and/or increasing maximum compensation not to exceed $311,163 for the entire term of the agreement.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

On March 1, 2016 the Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). On January 23, 2012 the Board approved participation in the MOU. State hospitals provide comprehensive integrated physical and mental health treatment to patients whom Shasta County psychiatrists and clinicians have assessed to need this level of care.  This is the highest level of treatment and is reserved for only those patients for whom a lower level of care is not appropriate. The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) makes every effort to find placement for patients in private facilities which are lower levels of care and less expensive than the state hospitals.

The proposed amendment to the MOU allows Shasta County to continue to access state hospital beds on an as-needed basis.  Shasta County will not purchase dedicated beds, which require payment regardless of whether a client from Shasta County is occupying the bed.   Rather, bed use will be on an excess use basis, paying for a bed only when needed by a Shasta County resident.  Should the need for a state hospital bed placement arise, the HHSA Director would sign a Purchase Agreement to place the patient.   With an excess use arrangement, Shasta County will only be required to compensate the State when a Shasta County resident uses a state hospital bed. 

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve this retroactive amendment to the MOU.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel approved the amendment as to form. Risk Management previously approved the original MOU.  There is no change to liability or insurance provisions, or scope of work, in this amendment.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

The cost of hospital bed purchase is paid from Mental Health Realignment funds and payments are withheld from the Realignment distribution by the State Controller’s Office. There is no additional General Fund impact from the recommended action.