DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, total not to exceed $1,223,880.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action which will allow the Department of Behavioral Health to continue participation in the Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program (Program) which includes utilizing a technology-assisted concurrent review process compliant with Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 19-026. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board not approve of the recommended action the Department would need to rely on internal personnel, which may redirect them from current responsibilities and significantly deplete resources. The Department would also need to develop a process for inpatient hospitalization review and educate the inpatient psychiatric hospitals on how to submit reviews, further straining resources for both the Department and the hospitals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the agreement ($1,223,880) will be fully offset with Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department's Org 5630 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Per the Department of Health Care Services Behavioral Health Information Notice 19-026 and 22-017, Mental Health Plans (MHP) are required to conduct concurrent review and authorization for all psychiatric inpatient hospital service...
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