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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-12-2007-4zORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 12, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~- -Z. SUBJECT: Renewal of Contract with UNC Hospitals for DSS to Provide Medicaid Workers DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Contract INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Coston, 245-2800 Yvette Smith, 245-2800 PURPOSE: To continue the contract for income maintenance staff at UNC Hospitals. BACKGROUND: The Department of Social Services has had a contract with UNC Hospitals continuously since 1977 to provide Social Services staff at the .hospital. These staff members, income maintenance caseworkers, allow patients at the hospital to apply for Medicaid while at the hospital. In Fiscal Year 2006-2007, the contract allowed for two full-time staff and part-time supervision to be available at the hospital. For Fiscal Year 2007-2008, UNC Hospital has determined that one full-time staff member and part-time supervision are needed to provide adequate services at the .hospital. The Social Services Board has reviewed this contract and recommends that it be continued with one full-time staff member and part-time supervision. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The hospital will reimburse the County for the non-federal share of these positions, so there are no County costs. This is estimated to be $53,425 during Fiscal Year 2007-2008. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accept the Social Services Board recommendation and approve the contract renewal with UNC Hospitals and authorize the Chair to sign the contract. 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, 2007 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. WITNESSETH: 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 one full time Income Maintenance Caseworker and one part-time supervisor providing up to 15 hours of supervision a week. 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 are involved in maintaining one Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworker at UNCH. UNCH also agrees to reimburse the county for the costs of a part- time supervisor. The county share of these positions is approximately 50 percent. Salary and benefits for the Income Maintenance Caseworker 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; county paid insurance (health, dental, and life). UNCH will also pay half of the administrative overhead and indirect costs associated with these positions. This includes all other supportive services provided by OCDSS or Orange County. The total cost of this contract is $53,425. 3. Other supportive services provided by OCDSS without additional charge to UNCH include continuing program training of the Income Maintenance Caseworker and consultation with other counties in the catchment area about applications for pre-and post-discharge patients. 3 4. Other supportive services provided by UNCH without charge to OCDSS include: office space; parking space; office equipment; clerical support; and telephone servrce. 5. The Income Maintenance Caseworker 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 Caseworker shall be assisted by LTNCH staff in obtaining information and documentation required to complete the application process. 7. The Social Services Income Maintenance Caseworker 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 an employee of the County, the Income Maintenance Caseworker shall be directly supervised by and accountable to OCDSS. Due to the nature of this agreemenfi 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 Caseworker, the departments of UNCH and 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 LTNCH staff member and the OCDSS supervisor. 9. UNCH 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 UNCH agree and understand that if at any time UNCH determines that the 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 the State Personnel Act and LJNCH shall provide sufficient documentation to support any such action. 11. Both the County and LTNCH agree and understand the conditions outlined in the Business Associate Agreement. 12. This Agreement shall be effective from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. 13. This Agreement shall be reviewed at least annually, prior to June 1st and may be terminated by either party upon 60 days written notice. 14. 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. 4. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners DATE: Attest: Clerk of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Executive Director, The University of North Carolina Hospitals 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