Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with Caminar, Inc. for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services and Recovery Residence Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Caminar, Inc. for substance use disorder treatment and recovery residence services, for the term of June 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $3,916,776.
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BACKGROUND:
In April 2016, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Federal Government approved the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMCODS) waiver for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment services. In June 2018, Caminar, Inc. (Caminar) began providing services under the DMC-ODS waiver, which allowed Caminar and other providers to bill for many more services than they were previously able.
Caminar has provided outpatient mental health services through the Mental Health Plan since 2017 and has provided recovery residence services and outpatient SUD treatment services to adults under the DMC-ODS. The addition of Project Ninety continues the organization’s strategy of extending its continuums of care to meet the complex needs of individuals and families.
DISCUSSION:
Through the DMC-ODS waiver, Caminar continues to provide outpatient SUD treatment services to adult County residents. These services are focused on an individualized outpatient treatment program that includes assessment, care coordination, family therapy, individual and group counseling, alcohol and drug testing, relapse prevention, recovery services, and SUD Crisis Intervention Services.
In December 2023, BHRS released a Request for Proposals for the provision of SUD outpatient treatment services. Caminar responded and was recommended based on their proven track record and successful history in providing SUD outpatient services, as well as the necessary training and support identified for quality service delivery. Caminar also possesses the infrastructure in place to operate a DMC-ODS outpatient clinic.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney as to form.
Successful treatment discharge occurs when a program participant completes their treatment/recovery plan or when a participant is transferred to the next appropriate level of care. It is anticipated that 95% of program participants will achieve a successful treatment discharge.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of program participants that will achieve a successful treatment discharge |
95% 193 of 203 participants |
95% 193 of 203 participants |
EQUITY IMPACT:
This contract will positively impact the behavioral health of low-income residents in need of SUD treatment services. Outpatient and residential providers offer bilingual and bicultural substance use treatment services in convenient locations across San Mateo County with the aim of helping residents to achieve long-term wellness and recovery. These SUD providers are essential to assure equitable access to quality care to underserved and vulnerable people in San Mateo County. Most clients have co-occurring mental health needs and other complex needs, including homelessness, justice system involvement, and other physical health conditions.
To advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health disparities, the County requires providers to comply with National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards. Each provider is required to submit an annual cultural competence plan that details current and future efforts to address the diverse needs of clients, families, and the workforce in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $3,916,776 for the 25-month term. For FY 2025-26, the maximum amount is $2,006,956 and is included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Of the latter amount, Medi-Cal Reimbursement will fund $1,004,725, 2011 Realignment will fund $18,698, AB109 will fund $46,547, Substance Use and Prevention Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant will fund $423,717, and Net County Cost will be $513,269. Similar arrangements will be made in subsequent years for FY2026-27.
BHRS is changing the methodology used to pay contracted providers that are currently paid on a 1/12th, monthly advance methodology. For several reasons, BHRS is changing the payment methodology for most contracts to fee-for-service (FFS) and payments will be made in arrears. Additionally, in previous fiscal years, BHRS was granted an exception to pay providers during the accounting “blackout period” in July and August. This practice is no longer available.
To facilitate these changes, BHRS has agreed to one three-month pre-pay for July-September of FY 2025-26 to qualifying providers. This payment will be reconciled in November. This payment must be made in June 2024. To make this payment, an ATR is needed. One ATR for all the impacted contracts will be submitted on the May 6th Board agenda. There will be no pre-pays in subsequent fiscal years.
Attachments:
RFP Matrix