HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-15-1998 - 8aI
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No 11_A
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 15, 1998
SUBJECT: Agreement between Orange County and Piedmont Health Services, Inc. for a
Medicaid Intake Caseworker
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
ATTACHMENT(S)
Contract with Piedmont Health Services, Inc.
PUBLIC HEARING YES NO x
BUDGET AMENDMENT
REQUIRED YES NO x
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marti Pryor -Cook, ext. 2802
TELEPHONE NUMBER
Hillsborough 732 -8181
Chapel Hill 968 -4501
Mebane 227 -2031
Durham 688 -7331
PURPOSE:
To consider a contract between Orange County and Piedmont Health Services, Inc. for one
Medicaid Intake Caseworker to be based at Piedmont's Carrboro facility.
BACKGROUND:
Piedmont Health Services, Inc. has requested that one full -time Income Maintenance Caseworker
position be created to conduct interviews and initiate Medicaid applications for patients at their
Carrboro facility. Their Prospect Hill clinic and UNC Hospitals have already contracted for such
positions as a way to make Medicaid assistance more readily available to eligible citizens and to
increase collection rates for indigent patients. The Contract stipulates that Piedmont Health
Services, Inc. pays 100% of the County's share of the costs for this worker, which include salary,
benefits, and any other necessary expense. Supervisory and indirect costs have been waived. In
return, Piedmont Health Services, Inc. will accept N. C. Health Choice applications for Orange
County and serve as a designated Health Choice application site.
RECOMMENDATION:
Creation of a new Income Maintenance Caseworker II position and approval of the Contract with
authorization for the Chair to sign.
PA
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
PIEDMONT HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
AND
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this the 1st day of October, 1998 by and
between ORANGE COUNTY (hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY) and Piedmont Health
Services, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as PHS) Orange County, North Carolina.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties have agreed with each other that the County will provide certain
services for PHS in connection with the Orange County Department of Social Services
(hereinafter referred to as OCDSS), Medicaid Program; and
WHEREAS, PHS has agreed to pay certain compensation for said service and the parties
desire to execute this contract to delineate their understanding of this agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Orange County agrees to make available to PHS the services of one full time Income
Maintenance Caseworker.
2. PHS agrees to reimburse the County within 15 days of receipt of monthly billings for the
county share of the salary, benefits, and other costs to which the parties have agreed are involved
in maintaining one Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworker at PHS. The county share
of this position is approximately 50 percent. Salary and benefits for the Income Maintenance
Caseworker include: base salary according to the Orange County pay plan; FICA taxes; Local
government retirement; vacation, sick, petty, or other leave under approved county plan; paid
holidays as observed by county; necessary travel and per diem for job related activities; county
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paid insurance (health, dental, and life). PHS further agrees to pay the county share of any
expense resulting from other requirements mutually agreed upon by OCDSS and PHS.
3. Other supportive services provided by OCDSS without additional charge to PHS
include continuing training of the Income Maintenance Caseworker and consultation with other
counties in the catchment area about Medicaid applications for patients.
4. Other supportive services provided by PHS without charge to OCDSS include: office
space; parking space; office equipment; clerical support; and telephone service.
5. The Income Maintenance Caseworker shall receive all potential medical assistance
applications originating at PHS. Specifically, the Income Maintenance Caseworker shall perform
intake functions only, consisting of the following: conducting interviews that initiate an application;
obtaining signatures; obtaining documentation available at the time of interview; and forwarding
applications to the appropriate county for processing.
6. PHS staff shall assist the Income Maintenance Caseworker in obtaining information
and documentation required to complete the application process.
7. The Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworker shall work cooperatively with
PHS staff and the staff of any Department of Social Services to make appropriate referrals of
patients and family members with problems not related to eligibility determination.
8. As an employee of the County, the Income Maintenance Caseworker shall be directly
supervised by and accountable to OCDSS. Due to the nature of this agreement and the working
relationship with PHS, it is necessary that close contact be kept with PHS administration and
certain members of the Piedmont staff. In recognition of this factor, PHS will name a staff member
to act as liaison between the OCDSS, the Income Maintenance Caseworker, PHS, and the other
staff personnel. Assignment of work to the Income Maintenance Caseworker and coordination of
sick, vacation, and other leave will be the joint responsibility of this PHS staff member and the
OCDSS supervisor.
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9. PHS shall participate in the interviewing and selection process utilized by OCDSS for
the hiring of the Income Maintenance Caseworker covered by this agreement, in accordance with
County policy and procedures.
10. Both the County and PHS agree and understand that if at any time PHS determines
that the Income Maintenance Caseworker's performance or professional interactions are
inadequate or inappropriate, PHS may request that OCDSS initiate appropriate action to correct
that employee's deficiencies, or to dismiss that employee if indicated. Any disciplinary action shall
be pursued in compliance with the Orange County Personnel ordinance and PHS shall provide
sufficient documentation to support that action.
11. This Agreement shall be effective from October 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999.
12. This Agreement shall be reviewed at least annually, prior to July 1 st and may be
terminated by either party upon 60 days written notice.
13. The Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties and shall not be
altered, amended or modified, except by an agreement in writing executed by the duly authorized
officials of both parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this contract to be signed by
its duly authorized officials.
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF:
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Chair, Orange County Board of
Commissioners
DATE:
Attest:
Clerk of the Orange County
Board of Commissioners
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF:
PIEDMONT HEALTH SERVICES
Executive Director, Piedmont Health Services
DATE:
This instrument has been preaudited in the manner required by the Local Government
Budget and Fiscal Control Act.
Ken Chavious, Orange County Finance
Officer