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Ratify the County Administrator’s approval of a second contract amendment between the Solano County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority and Pan American Life Insurance Group for the provision of health, dental, and vision benefits for eligible IHSS providers for the current period through June 30, 2025
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends the Board of Supervisors ratify the County Administrator’s approval of a second contract amendment between the Solano County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority and Pan American Life Insurance Group for the provision of health, dental, and vision benefits for eligible IHSS providers for the current period through June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Solano County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority is the employer of record for negotiations and provision of benefits to over 5,500 eligible Solano County IHSS providers. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Solano County IHSS Public Authority and IHSS provider employee organization, SEIU 2015, IHSS providers working more than 65 hours per month are eligible to receive a benefits plan including health, vision, dental, and prescription coverage. In Solano County, more than 4,133 IHSS providers are eligible for this benefit, and 1,307 are currently enrolled in the health plan provided through the contracted vendor, Pan American Life Insurance Group. The current cost of the plan is $207.83 per month per enrollee, with the Solano County IHSS Public Authority covering the entire cost (no premiums are paid by the enrollee).
On June 22, 2021, the Board authorized the public authority administrator to renew a contract between the Solano County IHSS Public Authority and Pan American Life Insurance Group for the provision of health, dental, and vision benefits for eligible IHSS providers for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. A first amendment extended the contract through June 30, 2024.
Pan American Life Insurance Group has offered a one-year renewal at the same rate as the original contract and this second amendment extends the contract through June 30, 2025 with all other terms and conditions of the original contract remaining in full force and effect. The Board is asked to ratify the execution of this contract to ensure continuous benefit coverage of IHSS providers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The County share of cost is included in the IHSS Maintenance of Effort (MOE). With the Board’s approval of the second contract amendment with Pan American Life Insurance Group, it will allow for the continuity of health benefits of the IHSS providers. The FY2024/25 Working Budget includes a total of $4,888,545 in appropriations which will provide coverage for up to 1,960 IHSS providers. There is no additional impact on the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to ratify this contract and meet and confer with the In-Home Supportive Services Provider Employee Organization, SEIU 2015, to seek an alternative to utilize the funds allocated by the State for the provision of health or other benefits; this alternative is not recommended as it will impact up to 1,307 In-Home Supportive Services providers enrolled in the plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Solano County Human Resources, Health and Social Services, Public Health, and Older and Disabled Adults Services were involved in the development of this item.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION