DATE: April 23, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Total Care Medical Group for Physical Incapacity Assessments for General Relief Program Eligibility
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Total Care Medical Group to perform physical incapacity assessments for General Relief clients, effective May 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023, which includes a 14-month base contract and three optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $375,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide for continued physical incapacity assessments, including exams and related diagnostic tests, for recipients of General Relief assistance with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Non-approval of the recommended action will result in the County being out of compliance with General Relief regulations adopted by the Board. These regulations require a physical incapacity assessment to determine client employability and eligibility for General Relief benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation for this Agreement is $90,000 per twelve-month period, which will be funded with countywide revenues. Actual costs will be determined by the number of evaluation services provided, as compensation is a fee for service. Sufficient appropriations of $15,000 and estimated revenues for the first two months of the recommended agreement are included in the Department’s Org 6645 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget and will be recommended in subsequent budgets.
DISCUSSION:
General Relief (GR) is a County-funded program that provides cash or in-kind services to needy individuals and childless couples who are not eligible for assistance under any other categorical aid program. Qualified individuals must be unemployed, incapacitated, or awaiting the receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
GR applicants applying for aid as incapacitated individuals are required to have a physical incapacity assessment to determine employability. These assessments may be performed by the client’s own doctor, or by a medical provider approved by the County. The recommended agreement will ensure that GR clients without a doctor, or those who are unable to see their doctor in a timely manner, are evaluated for employment incapacity. The required medical evaluations consist of physical examinations and related diagnostic tests, for the evaluation of the individual’s ability to be gainfully employed. For each Fiscal Year, it is estimated that Total Care Medical Group will receive 1,100 referrals for client appointments and provide 700 completed employment medical evaluations for GR clients, but the need may vary based on client demand.
A Request for Quotation (RFQ) was released in February 2019, and DSS received one quotation, from Total Care Medical Group, in response. Their response was complete and compliant, and was therefore selected to provide these services.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #36, November 1, 2016
BAI #48, March 25, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Total Care Medical Group for General Relief Physical Incapacity Assessments
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander