DATE: November 24, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Second Amendment to Agreement with Blue Cross of California Partnership Health Plan, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Second Amendment to Agreement No. 06-072 with Blue Cross of California Partnership Health Plan, Inc. to add an Exhibit G - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Business Associate agreement, effective upon execution ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Public Health and Blue Cross of California Partnership Health Plan, Inc. (Blue Cross) to share client data information, which will assist the Department in connecting Fresno County residents to public health services and programs. The recommended amendment will incorporate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Business Associate agreement (BAA) protocols and restrictions, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department would be unable to receive client data information from Blue Cross.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. There is no additional cost to the Department by amending Agreement No. 06-072.
DISCUSSION:
On March 28, 2006, the Board approved Agreement No. 06-072 with Blue Cross for coordination and payment for public health services rendered to Blue Cross Medi-Cal managed care members. Subsequently, on May 16, 2017, the Board approved the first amendment to this agreement to meet the Department of Health Care Services requirements necessary to participate in the Intergovernmental Transfer program.
Approval of the recommended action will add an Exhibit G - HIPAA BAA to allow the Department and Blue Cross to share client data information which will create another avenue to identify and reach Fresno County residents in need of public health programs and services.
With the ability to identify and reach clients in need, the Department will be able to access eligible community members sooner and assist them with providing critical public health services, including programs for reducing infant mortality and preterm births in the community. Enrolling clients into programs and services sooner will lead to better health outcomes.
The HIPAA BAA addresses the responsibility of the Department to protect the privacy and provide for the security of Protected Health Information disclosed between the County and Blue Cross.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, May 16, 2017
BAI #22, March 28, 2006
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Second Amendment to Agreement No. 06-072 with Blue Cross
CAO ANALYST:
Raul Guerra