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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-22-1998 - 8ggOrange County Board of Commissioners Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: June 22, 1998 Action Agenda Item # 8 -oa SUBJECT: Agreement between Orange County and UNC -� + Hospitals for Medicaid Caseworkers Department: Social Services Public Hearing Yes---- No - -X -- ATTACHMENT (S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Marti Pryor -Cook, Director Contract with UNC Hospitals TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough - 732 -8181 Durham -688-7331 Mebane -227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967- 9251/968 -4501 Purpose: To consider a contract between Orange County and UNC Hospitals for three hospital based DSS Medicaid Intake Caseworkers. Background: Three full -time Income Maintenance Caseworkers are stationed at UNC Hospitals to conduct interviews and initiate Medicaid applications, mainly for out of county residents. This agreement began in 1977 at the request of the Hospitals as a means to increase their collection rates for indigent patients. Since this agreement is for the benefit of UNC Hospitals, the Contract stipulates that they pay 100% of the County's share of the costs for these workers which include salary, benefits, indirect costs to which the parties have agreed, and any other necessary expense. They also pay 15% of the salary and benefits of a full -time supervisor. Recommendation: Approval of the Contract and authorization for the Chair to sign. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS AND ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this the 1st day of July, 1998 by and between ORANGE COUNTY (hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY) and THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS, (hereinafter referred to as UNCH) Orange County, North Carolina. WI TNESSETH: WHEREAS, the parties have agreed with each other that the County will provide certain services for The University of North Carolina Hospitals in connection with the Orange County Department of Social Services (hereinafter referred to as OCDSS), Medicaid Program; and WHEREAS, the UNCH 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 UNCH the services of three full time Income Maintenance Caseworkers. 2. UNCH agrees to reimburse the County within 15 days of receipt of monthly billings for the county share of the salary, benefits, and the indirect costs to which the parties have agreed involved in maintaining three Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworkers at UNCH. The county share of these positions is approximately 50 percent. UNCH also agrees to reimburse the county for 15 percent of the salary and benefits of a full time supervisor. Salary and benefits for the Income Maintenance Caseworkers and the supervisor 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 paid insurance (health, dental, and life). Indirect costs for each of the three Caseworkers at UNCH for fiscal year 1998/1999 will be $2098.00, which is the proportionate share of the OCOSS's costs for liability insurance and services provided by the Orange County Personnel and Finance Departments. UNCH further agrees to pay the county share of any expense resulting from other requirements mutually agreed upon by OCDSS and UNCH. 3. Other supportive services provided by OCDSS without additional charge to UNCH include continuing training of Income Maintenance Caseworkers and consultation with other counties in the catchment area about applications for pre -and post - discharge patients. 4. Other supportive services provided by UNCH without charge to OCDSS include: office space; parking space; office equipment; clerical support; and telephone service. 5. The Income Maintenance Caseworkers shall receive all potential medical assistance applications originating at UNCH. 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. The Income Maintenance Caseworkers shall be assisted by UNCH staff in obtaining information and documentation required to complete the application process. 7. The Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworkers shall work cooperatively with UNCH 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 employees of the County, the Income Maintenance Caseworkers shall be directly supervised by and accountable to OCDSS. Due to the nature of this agreement and the working relationship with UNCH, it is necessary that close contact be kept with UNCH administration and certain members of the hospital medical staff. In recognition of this factor, UNCH will name a staff member to act as liaison between the OCDSS, the Income Maintenance Caseworkers, the departments of UNCH and the other staff personnel. Assignment of work to the Income 4 Maintenance Caseworkers and coordination of sick, vacation, and other leave will be the joint responsibility of this UNCH staff member and the OCDSS supervisor. 9. UNCH shall participate in the interviewing and selection process utilized by OCDSS for the hiring of Income Maintenance Caseworkers covered by this agreement, in accordance with County policy and procedures. 10. Both the County and UNCH agree and understand that if at any time UNCH determines that an Income Maintenance Caseworker's performance or professional interactions are inadequate or inappropriate, UNCH 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 UNCH shall provide sufficient documentation to support that action. 11. This Agreement shall be effective from July 01, 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: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS Executive Director, The University of North Carolina Hospitals DATE: 7� This instrument has been preaudited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. Ken Chavious, Orange County Finance Officer