Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Modification to the General Assistance Rules and Regulations Regarding Medical Reports/Statements
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a modification to the rules and regulations of the General Assistance (GA) Program, which would allow other types of licensed health care providers, specifically Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers to provide written statements or to complete the GA Medical Report (Form C-442) regarding an individual’s disability and employability as it relates to the GA Program.
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BACKGROUND:
The GA Program rule 2-03.1 requires an individual to provide a written statement from a licensed physician, certified psychologist, or psychiatric Social Worker when they are claiming that they are not able to work due to a disability. The current rules also specifically state that statements from chiropractors are not acceptable.
The written statement must include: (a) the diagnosis and functional limitations as related to employment; (b) the doctor’s name, address, and phone number; and (c) the duration of disability.
The current procedures also state that when unemployable individuals do not have a current disability statement completed by their own physician or psychologist and they claim a disability, the Human Services Agency (HSA) Eligibility Worker will provide the individual with the C-442 GA Medical Report and advise the client to have the form completed by a licensed physician or certified psychologist.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is proposing changes to the County’s rules and regulations for GA program administration. Pursuant to Section 2.30.050 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, the Director of the HSA shall be responsible for formulating rules and regulations concerning policies and procedures for GA Program administration, which rules and regulations shall be presented for review to the Board of Supervisors through the County Manager.
HSA is requesting that the County’s rules and regulations for GA program administration be modified to allow Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Marriage, and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers to provide written statements or to complete the GA C-442 Medical report as they are licensed to diagnose and treat, and therefore qualified to make a determination of employability for GA purposes.
Furthermore, due to the limited number of physicians on staff in the County’s Public Health Department, it is difficult for the Agency’s entire GA population to have their medical statements or medical reports completed by physicians within GA processing timeframe requirements.
Allowing the expansion of licensed medical professionals to provide written statements or to complete the GA Medical Report (Form C-442) is in the best interest of HSA clients as it will help ensure that GA benefits are not delayed. This resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by providing funds to indigent individuals in the community until they gain employment or federal disability benefits and become self-sufficient.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The policy change is not anticipated to have a fiscal impact at this time.