REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  May  8, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-4.

SUBJECT:

Amendments to Agreements with Empire Recovery Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dean True, Branch Director, HHSA Adult Services, (530) 225-5900

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dean True, Branch Director, HHSA Adult Services

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign amendments, effective July 1, 2018, to two separate agreements with Empire Hotel, EHARC, Inc., dba Empire Recovery Center to add required subcontractor language pursuant to the County's agreements with the California Department of Health Care Services for Substance Use Disorder Services and to extend the end date for one year through June 30, 2019 for: (1) Substance abuse residential treatment, and retain maximum compensation not to exceed $175,000 per fiscal year; and (2) outpatient substance abuse treatment, and retain maximum compensation not to exceed $560,000 per fiscal year.

SUMMARY

These amendments will allow Empire Hotel, EHARC, Inc., dba Empire Recovery Center (Empire Recovery) to continue to provide alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to residents of Shasta County while the new Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) Regional Model is established.

DISCUSSION

The County currently has two agreements with Empire Recovery for the provision of alcohol and/or substance abuse services. Empire Recovery has contracted with the County for several years for the provision of outpatient and residential drug-free treatment services and are certified as Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) providers by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), making them eligible to bill for alcohol and other drug treatment services provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.  Empire Recovery also partners with the Health and Human Services Agency in the Vivitrol® Project.

These amendments extend the terms for one year while Shasta County works with Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC), several other northern California counties, and DHCS to establish the DMC-ODS Regional Model.  This DMC-ODS Regional Model is jointly sponsored by Shasta County and other northern California counties that have PHC as their Medi-Cal managed care plan.  Once in place, the array of drug and alcohol treatment services covered and available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries will greatly increase and significantly improve care coordination and system integration.

These amendments will also incorporate new contract language required by DHCS.  As State certified providers, all alcohol and other drug treatment services administered by Empire Recovery must be provided by, or under the direction of, a physician; including a complete personal, medical, and substance abuse history; a complete assessment of physical condition; and an individualized treatment plan. Those required DHCS changes include; Personnel, Debarment and Suspension, and Information Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose to not approve, may direct changes to, and/or may defer consideration to a future date for one or both of the amendments.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the amendments as to form.  Risk Management has reviewed and approved the amendments.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

Sufficient appropriations have been included in the department’s FY 2018-19 Requested Budget. There is no additional General Fund impact from the recommended action.