DATE: October 23, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Designating Entity to Assist Jail Inmates to Apply for Medi-Cal Eligibility for Acute Inpatient Hospital Services, Pursuant to California Penal Code 4011.11
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt a resolution designating the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as an entity to assist County jail inmates with their applications for a health insurance affordability program and to act on behalf of inmates for the purpose of applying for Medi-Cal eligibility for acute inpatient hospital services, pursuant to California Penal Code section 4011.11.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Assembly Bill (AB) 720 (Statutes of 2013, Chapter 646) requires counties to suspend rather than terminate Medi-Cal benefits for all inmates, regardless of age. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Sheriff-Coroner's Office to assist inmates in applying for and to act on behalf of county jail inmates to apply for the Medi-Cal Inmate Eligibility Program (MCIP) for acute inpatient hospital services received off the grounds of the correctional facility. Through the recommended designation, Sheriff-Coroner staff will also be able to submit MCIP applications to the County Welfare Department on behalf of county jail inmates. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the Sheriff-Coroner's Office would not be able to assist and act on behalf of those inmates who are unwilling to cooperate or who are incapacitated and unable to cooperate in the application process for benefits under the MCIP.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. All costs for inpatient hospital care are the responsibility of the County. Enrolling inmates in the MCIP would be a budgetary savings for the County, as the MCIP program makes federal financial pa...
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