Committee forwards retroactive Medi‑Cal participation agreement that removes prior cap on county claims

The Budget and Finance Committee on Nov. 8 voted to forward a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Health to enter into a retroactive participation agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services for county Medi‑Cal administrative activities (effective 07/01/2019).

Rowena Marania, the Medi‑Cal administrative activities coordinator for San Francisco, explained the program (MAA) is a federal reimbursement program administered by CMS and DHCS that reimburses counties for a portion of Medi‑Cal administrative activities. Marania told the committee DPH participants currently "generate over $13,000,000 a year in revenue" and that DHCS's new participation agreement would eliminate the need for renewals and remove a maximum dollar amount for claiming.

Chair Supervisor Connie Chan asked whether California’s CalAIM initiative affected the MAA program; Marania said she was not aware that CalAIM is relevant to the MAA program. The committee had no public speakers and moved the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation; Vice Chair Rafael Mandelmann and Chair Chan recorded 'aye' votes and the motion passed.

The item will return to the full Board for final action.