The goal of the Contra Costa CARES Program is to provide comprehensive primary health care coverage and medical homes to low income, uninsured adults 19 years of age or older residing in Contra Costa County who are ineligible for full-scope Medi-Cal or Covered California and whose household gross income does not exceed 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. The program has enrolled over 81,000 individuals. Specialty care, dental, vision, emergency care and hospitalization are not covered benefits of the program. La Clinica De La Raza, Inc. has been a CCHP Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) since November 2015.
On December 7, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract #77-001-7 with La Clinica De La Raza, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $552,412 for the provision of primary care medical services for the Contra Costa CARES Program, for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
On May 10, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget Actions, discussion item D.3, which allocated an additional $500,000, for Contra Costa CARES Programs to expand outreach and accelerate enrollment. Increasing the provider monthly payment per member and inclusion of integrated behavioral health services was also approved by the Board.
Due to an increased need for integrated behavioral health services, the Division is requesting the contract payment provisions be revised to ensure proper monthly provider compensation for utilization and the inclusion of integrated behavioral health services for Contra Costa CARES Program recipients.
Approval of Contract Amendment Agreement #77-001-8 will allow the contractor to include behavioral health services for the Contra Costa CARES Program through December 31, 2022.
If this contract amendment is not approved, low income and uninsured adults in the Contra Costa CARES Program would not have access to integrated behavioral health services.