ESCANABA - The Delta County Board of Commissioners agreed to a resolution supporting the Upper Peninsula as a demonstration site for an integrated care model for those dually eligible for certain health services. The action was taken during Tuesday's county board meeting.
According to the resolution passed, the Michigan Department of Community Health has submitted a proposal to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for an integrated care demonstration. The demonstration would serve those who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid services.
According to the MDCH website, Michigan was selected by CMS in January 2011 as one of 15 states to be awarded a contract for developing an integrated care plan.
Michigan's proposed integrated care model covers all Medicare and Medicaid services and benefits.
The goal "is to offer high quality, seamless and cost effective care through a coordinated, person-centered delivery model that meet the unique needs of all people who are dually eligible for both programs," according to their website.
The demonstration in the U.P. would serve as a pilot that could begin as early as July 2013 if approved, said Delta County Administrator Nora Viau during the meeting.
The pilot would propose a contract between MDCH with integrated care organizations to provide "physical health services and long term care supports and services with existing prepaid inpatient health plans in Michigan for the provision of behavioral services to persons who are dually eligible," according to the resolution.
Key stakeholders in the U.P. expected to be impacted by the initiative include U.P. Health Plan, NorthCare, local community mental health services, the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, medical care facilities, private nursing facilities, home health and home care agencies.
"They're asking the county board to support this and having the Upper Peninsula serve as a pilot site with the understanding that the aforementioned key stakeholders will be fully involved and engaged, and that the existing U.P.-based infrastructure will be utilized and enhanced," said Viau.
When fully implemented, Michigan's program would integrate services and funding for more than 200,000 people, according to the MDCH.
The board also voted to award Rapid Electric Sales and Service with the upgrade and replacement of the county jail generator in the amount of $82,704. According to Board Chairman Tom Elegeert, this price is lower than what the board had anticipated. The generator will be placed on the lawn of the jail and will also provide heating and cooling for the county courthouse.
In other business, the board:
- approved out-of-county travel expenses for commissioners wishing to attend the 2012 Michigan Association of Counties Annual Conference Sept. 23-25 in Bellaire, Mich.
- approved a resolution supporting the U.P. Area Agency on Aging's FY 2013 Annual Implementation Plan. UPCAP, which serves as the U.P. Area Agency on Aging, is operating under a previously approved multi-year area plan with all 15 U.P. counties, to provide funding for programs for services to older U.P. adults. The multi-year area plan runs from 2010 to 2013. The agency is required to submit their annual implementation plan each year to provide updates to the multi-year plan.
- approved contributing $500 to a Business After Hours event July 18 at the Delta County Airport. However, the board denied allowing alcoholic beverages to be served at the event.