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COMBINED MANAGED CARE PLAN (MCP) and MENTAL HEALTH PLAN (MHP) and
DRUG MEDI-CAL ORGANIZED DELIVERY SYSTEM (DMC-ODS) MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
ALAMEDA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH
AND
ALAMEDA COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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Memorandum of Understanding
between
Alameda Alliance for Health
and
Alameda County Behavioral Health Department
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is entered into by and between Alameda
Alliance for Health (“MCP” or “Alliance”) and Alameda County Behavioral Health
Department (“MHP” or “DMC-ODS” or “MHP/DMC-ODS”), MHP/DMC-ODS, Alliance,
and Alliance’s relevant Subcontractors and/or Downstream Subcontractors may be
referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as “Parties.”
WHEREAS, with respect to Non-Specialty Mental Health Services (NSMHS) and Specialty
Mental Health Services (SMHS), the Parties are required to enter into this MOU, a binding
and enforceable contractual agreement under the Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract
Exhibit A, Attachment III, All Plan Letters (“APL”) 18-015, 22-005, 22-006, 22-028, and
MHP is required to enter into this MOU pursuant to Cal. Code Regs. tit. 9 § 1810.370,
MHP Contract, Exhibit A, Attachment 10, Behavioral Health Information Notice (“BHIN”)
23- 056 and any subsequently issued superseding BHINs, to ensure that Medi-Cal
beneficiaries enrolled in Alliance who are served by MHP (“Members”) are able to access
and/or receive mental health services in a coordinated manner from Alliance and MHP;
WHEREAS, with respect to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services, the Parties are
required to enter into this MOU, a binding and enforceable contractual agreement, under
the Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract Exhibit A, Attachment III, All Plan Letter (“APL”)
22-005, APL 23-029, and subsequently issued superseding APLs, and DMC-ODS is
required to enter into this MOU under the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System
(DMC- ODS) Intergovernmental Agreement Exhibit A, Attachment I, Behavioral Health
Information Notice (“BHIN”) 23-001, BHIN 23-057 and any subsequently issued
superseding BHINs, to ensure that Medi-Cal Members enrolled in Alliance who are
served by DMC-ODS (“Members”) are able to access and/or receive substance use
disorder (“SUD”) services in a coordinated manner from Alliance and DMC-ODS;
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to ensure that Members receive MHP and DMC-ODS
services in a coordinated manner and to provide an agreed upon process to continuously
evaluate the quality of the care coordination provided, subject to 42 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 2 (each party shall obtain Member consent to the extent required under
applicable law); and
WHEREAS, the Parties understand and agree that any Member information and data
shared to facilitate referrals, coordinate care, or to meet any of the obligations set forth
in this MOU must be shared in accordance with all applicable federal and state statutes
and regulations, including, without limitation, 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2.
In consideration of mutual agreements and promises hereinafter, the Parties agree as
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follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms have the meaning ascribed by MCP’s Medi-Cal
Managed Care Contract with the California Department of Health Care Services
(“DHCS”), unless otherwise defined herein. The Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract is
available on the DHCS webpage at www.dhcs.ca.gov.
a. “Alliance Responsible Person” means the person designated by
Alliance to oversee Alliance coordination and communication with MHP/DMC-ODS
and ensure Alliance’s compliance with this MOU as described in Section 4 of this
MOU.
b. “Alliance-MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison” means Alliance’s designated point of
contact responsible for acting as the liaison between Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS as
described in Section 4 of this MOU. The Alliance-MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison must ensure
the appropriate communication and care coordination is ongoing between the Parties,
facilitate quarterly meetings in accordance with Section 9 of this MOU, and provide
updates to the Alliance Responsible Person and/or Alliance compliance officer as
appropriate.
c. “MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Person” means the person designated by
MHP/DMC-ODS to oversee coordination and communication with Alliance and ensure
MHP/DMC-ODS’s compliance with this MOU as described in Section 5 of this MOU.
d. “MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison” means MHP/DMC-ODS’s designated point of
contact responsible for acting as the liaison between Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS as
described in Section 5 of this MOU. The MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison should ensure the
appropriate communication and care coordination are ongoing between the Parties,
facilitate quarterly meetings in accordance with Section 9 of this MOU, and provide
updates to the MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Person and/or MHP/DMC-ODS
compliance officer as appropriate.
e. “Network Provider”, as it pertains to Alliance, has the same meaning
ascribed by the Alliance’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract with the DHCS; and as it
pertains to MHP/DMC-ODS, has the same meaning ascribed by the MHP Contract or
DMC-ODS Intergovernmental Agreement with the DHCS, as applicable.
f. “Subcontractor” as it pertains to Alliance, has the same meaning ascribed
by the Alliance’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract with the DHCS; and as it pertains to
MHP/DMC-ODS, has the same meaning ascribed by the MHP Contract or DMC-ODS
Intergovernmental Agreement with the DHCS, as applicable.
g. “Downstream Subcontractor,” as it pertains to Alliance, has the same
meaning ascribed by the Alliance’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract with the DHCS;
and as it pertains to MHP/DMC-ODS, has the same meaning ascribed by the MHP
Contract or DMC-ODS Intergovernmental Agreement with the DHCS, as applicable.
2. Term. This MOU is in effect as of the Effective Date, January 1, 2025, and
continues for a term of 5 years, through December 31, 2029, or as amended in
accordance with Section 14.f of this MOU.
3. Services Covered by This MOU. This MOU governs the coordination between
Alliance and MHP for Non-specialty Mental Health Services (“NSMHS”) covered by
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Alliance and further described in APL 22-006, and Specialty Mental Health Services
(“SMHS”) covered by MHP and further described in APL 22-003, APL 22-005, and BHIN
21-073, and any subsequently issued superseding APLs or BHINs, executed contract
amendments, or other relevant guidance. The population eligible for NSMHS and
SMHS set forth in APL 22-006 and BHIN 21-073 is the population served under this
MOU. This MOU further governs the coordination between DMC-ODS and the Alliance
for the provision of SUD services as described in APL 22-006, and any subsequently
issued APLs, and Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract, BHIN 23-001, DMC-ODS
Requirements for the Period of 2022-2026, and the DMC-ODS Intergovernmental
Agreement, and any subsequently issued superseding APLs, BHINs, executed contract
amendments, or other relevant guidance.
4. Alliance Obligations.
a. Provision of Covered Services. Alliance is responsible for authorizing
Medically Necessary Covered Services, including NSMHS, ensuring Alliance’s Network
Providers coordinate care for Members as provided in the applicable Medi-Cal Managed
Care Contract, and coordinating care from other providers of carve-out programs, services, and
benefits.
b. Oversight Responsibility. The Sr. Director of Behavioral Health, listed in
Exhibit A of this MOU, is responsible for overseeing Alliance’s compliance with this MOU.
The Alliance Responsible Person must:
i. meet at least quarterly with MHP/DMC-ODS, as required by Section
9 of this MOU;
ii. report on Alliance’s compliance with the MOU to Alliance’s
compliance officer no less frequently than quarterly. Alliance’s
compliance officer is responsible for MOU compliance oversight
reports as part of Alliance’s compliance program and must address
any compliance deficiencies in accordance with Alliance’s
compliance program policies;
iii. ensure there is a sufficient staff at Alliance who support compliance
with and management of this MOU;
iv. ensure the appropriate levels of Alliance leadership (i.e., person with
decision-making authority) are involved in implementation and
oversight of the MOU engagements and ensure the appropriate
levels of leadership from MHP/DMC-ODS are invited to participate in
the MOU engagements, as appropriate;
v. ensure training and education regarding MOU provisions are
conducted annually for Alliance’s employees responsible for carrying
out activities under this MOU, and as applicable for Subcontractors,
Downstream Subcontractors, and Network Providers; and
vi. serve, or may designate a person at Alliance to serve, as the
Alliance- MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison, the point of contact and liaison
with MHP/DMC-ODS. The Alliance-MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison is listed
in Exhibit A of this MOU. Alliance must notify MHP/DMC-ODS of any
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changes to the Alliance-MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison in writing as soon
as reasonably practical but no later than the date of change and
must notify DHCS within 5 Working Days of the change.
c. Compliance by Subcontractors, Downstream Subcontractors, and
Network Providers. Alliance must require and ensure that its Subcontractors,
Downstream Subcontractors, and Network Providers, as applicable, comply with all
applicable provisions of this MOU.
5. MHP/DMC-ODS Obligations.
a. Provision of Specialty Mental Health Services. MHP/DMC-ODS is
responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of SMHS and covered SUD
services.
b. Oversight Responsibility. The Deputy Director of Operations and Deputy
Director of Plan Administration the designated MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Persons,
listed on Exhibit B of this MOU, are responsible for overseeing MHP/DMC-ODS’s
compliance with this MOU. The MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Persons serve, or may
designate a person to serve, as the designated MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison, the point of
contact and liaison with Alliance. The MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison is listed on Exhibit B of
this MOU. The MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison may be the same person as the MHP/DMC-ODS
Responsible Person. MHP/DMC-ODS must notify Alliance of changes to the MHP/DMC-
ODS Liaison as soon as reasonably practical but no later than the date of change. The
MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Person must:
i. meet at least quarterly with Alliance, as required by Section 9 of
this MOU;
ii. report on MHP-DMC-ODS’s compliance with the MOU to
MHP/DMC-ODS’s compliance
officer no less frequently than quarterly. MHP/DMC-ODS’s compliance officer is
responsible for MOU compliance oversight and reports as part of MHP/DMC-ODS’s
compliance program and must address any compliance deficiencies in accordance with
MHP/DMC-ODS’s compliance program policies;
iii. ensure there is sufficient staff at MHP/DMC-ODS to support
compliance with and management of this MOU;
iv. ensure the appropriate levels of MHP/DMC-ODS leadership (i.e.,
persons with decision-making authority) are involved in implementation and oversight of
the MOU engagements and ensure the appropriate levels of leadership from Alliance
are invited to participate in the MOU engagements, as appropriate;
v. ensure training and education regarding MOU provisions are
conducted annually to MHP/DMC-ODS’s employees responsible for carrying out
activities under this MOU, and as applicable for Subcontractors, Downstream
Subcontractors, and Network providers; and
vi. be responsible for meeting MOU compliance requirements, as
determined by policies and procedures established by MHP/DMC-ODS, and reporting
to the MHP/DMC-ODS Responsible Person.
c. Compliance by Subcontractors, Downstream Subcontractors, and
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Network Providers. MHP/DMC-ODS must require and ensure that its
Subcontractors, Downstream Subcontractors, and Network Providers, as applicable,
comply with all applicable provisions of this MOU.
6. Training and Education.
a. To ensure compliance with this MOU, the Parties must provide training and
orientation for their employees who for carry out activities under this MOU and, as
applicable, Network Providers, Subcontractors, and Downstream Subcontractors who
assist Alliance with carrying out Alliance’s responsibilities under this MOU. The training
must include information on MOU requirements, what services are provided or arranged
for by each Party, and the policies and procedures outlined in this MOU. For persons or
entities performing responsibilities as of the Effective Date, the Parties must provide this
training within 60 Working Days of the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Parties must provide
this training prior to any such person or entity performing responsibilities under this MOU
and to all such persons or entities at least annually thereafter. The Parties must require
its Subcontractors and Downstream Subcontractors to provide training on relevant MOU
requirements and MHP or DMC-ODS services, as applicable, to their contracted
providers.
b. In accordance with health education standards required by the Medi-Cal
Managed Care Contract, the Parties must provide Members and Providers with
educational materials related to accessing Covered Services, including for services
provided by MHP/DMC-ODS.
c. The Parties each must provide the other Party, Members, and Network
Providers with training and/or educational materials on how Alliance Covered Services
and MHP/DMC-ODS services may be accessed, including during nonbusiness hours.
7. Screening, Assessment, and Referrals.
a. Screening and Assessment.
i. The Parties must develop and establish policies and procedures that
address how Members must be screened and assessed for: mental health services,
including administering the applicable Screening and Transition of Care Tools for Medi-
Cal Mental Health Services as set forth in APL 22-028 and BHIN 22-065; and Alliance
Covered Services and MHP/DMC-ODS services.
ii. Alliance and MHP must use the required screening tools for
Members who are not currently receiving mental health services, except when a Member
contacts the mental health provider directly to seek mental health services.
iii. Alliance and MHP must use the required Transition of Care Tool
to facilitate transitions of care for Members when their service needs change.
iv. The policies and procedures must incorporate agreed-upon and/or
required timeframes; list specific responsible parties by title or department; and include
any other elements required by DHCS for the mandated statewide Adult Screening Tool
for adults aged 21 and older, Youth Screening Tool for youth under age 21, and Transition
of Care Tool, for adults aged 21 and older and youth under age 21, as well as the following
requirements:
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1. The process by which Alliance and MHP must conduct
mental health screenings for Members who are not currently receiving mental health
services when they contact Alliance or MHP to seek mental health services. Alliance
and MHP must refer such Members to the appropriate delivery system using the Adult
or Youth Screening Tool for Medi-Cal Mental Health Services based on their screening
result.
2. The process by which Alliance and MHP must ensure that
Members receiving mental health services from one delivery system receive timely and
coordinated care when their existing services are being transitioned to another delivery
system or when services are being added to their existing mental health treatment from
another delivery system in accordance with APL 22-028 and BHIN 22-065.
v. Alliance must develop and establish policies and procedures for
providing Alcohol and Drug Screening, Assessment, Brief
Interventions, and Referral to Treatment (“SABIRT”) to Members
aged eleven (11) and older in accordance with APL 21-014. Alliance
policies and procedures must include, but not be limited to:
1. A process for ensuring Members receive comprehensive
substance use, physical, and mental health screening services, including the use of
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Level 0.5 SABIRT guidelines;
2. A process for providing or arranging the provision of
medications for Addiction Treatment (also known as Medication-Assisted Treatment)
provided in primary care, inpatient hospital, emergency departments, and other
contracted medical settings;
b. Referrals. The Parties must work collaboratively to develop and establish
policies and procedures that ensure that Members are referred to the appropriate
Alliance Covered Services, or applicable MHP or DMC-ODS services.
i. The Parties must adopt a “no wrong door” referral process for
Members and work collaboratively to ensure that Members may access services through
multiple pathways and are not turned away based on which pathway they rely on,
including, but not limited to, adhering to all applicable No Wrong Door for Mental Health
Services Policy requirements described in APL 22-005 and BHIN 22-011. The Parties
must refer Members using a patient-centered, shared decision-making process.
ii. The Parties must develop and implement policies and procedures
addressing the process by which Alliance and MHP coordinate referrals based on the
completed Adult or Youth Screening Tool in accordance with APL 22-028 and BHIN 22-
065, including:
1. The process by which MHP and Alliance transition Members
to the other delivery system.
2. The process by which Members who decline screening are
assessed.
3. The process by which Alliance:
a. Accepts referrals from MHP for assessment, and the
mechanisms of communicating such acceptance and that a timely assessment has
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been made available to the Member.
b. Provides referrals to MHP for assessment, and the
mechanisms of sharing the completed screening tool and confirming acceptance of
referral and that a timely assessment has been made available to the Member by MHP.
c. Provides a referral to an MHP Network Provider (if
processes agreed upon with MHP), and the mechanisms of sharing the completed
screening tool and confirming acceptance of the referral and that a timely assessment
has been made available to the Member by the MHP.
4. The process by which MHP:
a. Accepts referrals from Alliance for assessment, and
the mechanisms for communicating such acceptance and that a timely assessment has
been made available to the Member.
b. Provides referrals to Alliance for assessment, and the
mechanisms of sharing the completed screening tool and confirming acceptance of the
referral and provided a timely assessment by Alliance.
c. Provides a referral to an Alliance Network Mental
Health Provider (if processes agreed upon with Alliance), and the mechanisms of
confirming the Alliance Network Mental Health Provider accepted the referral and timely
assessed the Member.
d. Provides a referral to Alliance when the screening
indicates that a Member under age 21 would benefit from a pediatrician/Primary Care
Physician (“PCP”) visit.
5. The process by which Alliance and MHP coordinate
referrals using the Transition of Care Tool in accordance with APL 22-028 and BHIN
22-065.
6. The process by which Alliance (and/or its Network Providers):
a. Accepts referrals from MHP, and the mechanisms of
communicating such acceptance, including that the Member has been connected with a
Network Provider who accepts their care and that services have been made available to
the Member.
b. Provides referrals to MHP and the mechanisms of
sharing the completed transition tool and confirming acceptance of the referral,
including that the Member has been connected with a provider who accepts their care
and that services have been made available to the Member.
c. Provides a referral to an MHP Network Provider (if
processes have been agreed upon with MHP), and the mechanisms of sharing the
completed transition tool and confirming acceptance of the referral, including that the
Member has been connected with a provider who accepts their care and that services
have been made available to the Member.
d. Alliance must coordinate with MHP to facilitate
transitions between Alliance and MHP delivery systems and across different providers,
including guiding referrals for Members receiving NSMHS to transition to an SMHS
provider and vice versa, and the new provider accepts the referral and provides care to
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the Member.
7. The process by which MHP (and/or its Network Providers):
a. Accepts referrals from Alliance, and the mechanisms
of communicating such acceptance, including that the Member has been connected with
a Network Provider who accepts their care and that services have been made available
to the Member.
b. Provides referrals to Alliance, and the mechanisms
of sharing the completed transition tool and confirming acceptance of the referral,
including that the Member has been connected with a Network Provider who accepts
their care and that services have been made available to the Member.
c. Provides a referral to an Alliance Network Provider
(if processes have been agreed upon with Alliance), and the mechanisms of sharing
the completed transition tool and confirming acceptance of the referral, including that
the Member has been connected with a Network Provider who accepts their care and
that services have been made available to the Member.
iii. MHP must refer Members to Alliance for Alliance’s Covered
Services, as well as any Community Supports services or care management programs
for which Members may qualify, such as Enhanced Care Management (“ECM”), Complex
Care Management (“CCM”), or Community Supports. However, if MHP is also an ECM
Provider, MHP provides ECM services pursuant to a separate agreement between
Alliance and MHP for ECM services; this MOU does not govern MHP’s provision of ECM.
iv. Alliance must have a process for referring eligible Members for
substance use disorder (“SUD”) services to a Drug Medi-Cal-certified program or a Drug
Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (“DMC-ODS”) program in accordance with the Medi-Cal
Managed Care Contract.
v. The Parties must facilitate referrals to DMC-ODS for Members who
may potentially meet the criteria to access DMC-ODS services and ensure DMC-ODS
has procedures for accepting referrals from Alliance.
vi. Alliance must refer Members using a patient-centered,
shared decision-making process.
vii. Alliance must develop and implement an organizational approach
to the delivery of services and referral pathways to DMC-ODS services.
viii. DMC-ODS must refer Members to Alliance for Covered Services, as
well as any Community Supports services or care management programs for which they
may qualify, such as Enhanced Care Management (“ECM”) or Complex Case
Management (“CCM”). If DMC-ODS is an ECM Provider, DMC-ODS provides ECM
services pursuant to that separate agreement between Alliance and DMC-ODS for ECM
services; this MOU does not govern DMC-ODS’s provision of ECM.
ix. The Parties must work collaboratively to ensure that Members may
access services through multiple pathways. The Parties must ensure Members receive
SUD services when Members have co-occurring SMHS and/or NSMHS and SUD needs.
x. Alliance must have a process by which Alliance accepts referrals
from DMC-ODS staff, providers, or a self-referred Member for assessment, and a
mechanism for communicating such acceptance to DMC-ODS, the provider, or the self-
referred Member, respectively; and
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xi. DMC-ODS must have a process by which DMC-ODS accepts
referrals from Alliance staff, providers, or a self-referred Member for assessment, and
a mechanism for communicating such acceptance to Alliance, the provider, or the
self- referred Member, respectively.
xii. Closed Loop Referrals. By January 1, 2025 or a future date as
determined by DHCS, the Parties must actively work together to develop a process
to implement DHCS guidance regarding closed loop referrals to applicable
Community Supports, ECM benefits, and/or community-based resources, as
referenced in the CalAIM Population Health Management Policy Guide,1 APL 22-024,
or any subsequent version of the APL, and as set forth by DHCS through APL, or
other, similar guidance. The Parties must work collaboratively to develop and
implement a process to ensure that Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS comply with the
applicable provisions of closed loop referrals guidance within 90 Working Days of
issuance of this guidance. The Parties must establish a system that tracks cross-
system referrals and meets all requirements as set forth by DHCS through an APL or
other, similar guidance.
8. Care Coordination and Collaboration.
a. Care Coordination.
i. The Parties must adopt policies and procedures for coordinating
Members’ access to care and services that incorporate all the specific requirements set
forth in this MOU and ensure Medically Necessary NSMHS and SMHS provided
concurrently are coordinated and non-duplicative.
ii. The Parties must discuss and address individual care coordination
issues or barriers to care coordination efforts at least quarterly. Host a standard agenda
topic in the quarterly meetings that discusses the agreed upon process to continuously evaluate
the quality of the care coordination provided, subject to 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2
in relation to SUD treatment (each party shall obtain Member consent to the extent required
under applicable law);
iii. The Parties must establish policies and procedures to maintain
cross-system collaboration with each other and to identify strategies to monitor and
assess the effectiveness of this MOU. The policies and procedures must ensure
coordination of inpatient and outpatient medical and mental health care for all Members
enrolled in Alliance and receiving SMHS through MHP, and must comply with federal
and State law, regulations, and guidance, including Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code Section
5328.
iv. The Parties must establish and implement policies and procedures
that align for coordinating Members’ care that address:
1. The requirement for MHP/DMC-ODS to refer Members to
Alliance to be assessed for care coordination and other similar programs and other
services for which they may qualify provided by Alliance including, but not limited to,
ECM, CCM, or Community Supports;
1 CalAIM Population Health Management Policy Guide available at
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CalAIM/Documents/2023-PHM-Policy-Guide.pdf
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2. The specific point of contact from each Party, if someone
other than each Party’s Responsible Person, to act as the liaison between Parties and
be responsible for initiating, providing, and maintaining ongoing care coordination for all
Members under this MOU;
3. A process for coordinating care for individuals who meet
access criteria for and are concurrently receiving NSMHS and SMHS consistent with
the No Wrong Door for Mental Health Services Policy described in APL 22-005 and
BHIN 22-011 to ensure the care is clinically appropriate and non-duplicative and
considers the Member’s established therapeutic relationships;
4. A process for how Alliance and DMC-ODS will engage in
collaborative treatment planning to ensure care is clinically appropriate and non-
duplicative and considers the Member’s established therapeutic relationships;
5. A process for coordinating the delivery of Medically
Necessary Covered Services with the Member’s Primary Care Provider, including
without limitation transportation services, home health services, and other Medically
Necessary Covered Services for eligible Members;
6. Permitting Members to concurrently receive NSMHS and
SMHS when clinically appropriate, coordinated, and not duplicative consistent with the
No Wrong Door for Mental Health Services Policy described in APL 22-005 and BHIN
22-011.
7. A process for how Alliance and DMC-ODS will help to
ensure the Member is engaged and participates in their care program and a process
for ensuring the Members, caregivers, and providers are engaged in the development
of the Member’s care;
8. A process for reviewing and updating a Member’s problem
list, as clinically indicated. The process must describe circumstances for updating
problem lists and coordinating with outpatient SUD providers;
9. A process for how the Parties will engage in collaborative
treatment planning and ensure communication among providers, including procedures
for exchanges of medical information; and
10. A process for ensuring that Members and Network Providers
can coordinate coverage of Covered Services and carved-out services outlined by this
MOU outside normal business hours, as well as providing or arranging for 24/7
emergency access to Covered Services and carved-out services or admission to
psychiatric inpatient hospital.
v. Transitional Care.
1. The Parties must establish policies and procedures and
develop a process describing how Alliance and MHP and DMC-ODS coordinate
transitional care services for Members. A “transitional care service” is defined as the
transfer of a Member from one setting or level of care to another, including, but not limited
to, discharges from hospitals, institutions, and other acute care facilities and skilled
nursing facilities to home or community-based settings,2 level of care transitions that
2 Expectations for transitional care are defined in the PHM Policy Program Guide:
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CalAIM/Documents/2023-PHM-Program-Guide-a11y.pdf
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occur within the facility, or transitions from outpatient therapy to intensive outpatient
therapy and vice versa.
2. For Members who are admitted to an acute psychiatric
hospital, psychiatric health facility, adult residential, or crisis residential stay, including,
but not limited to, Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs and Psychiatric
Residential Treatment Facilities, where MHP is the primary payer, MHPs are primarily
responsible for coordination of the Member upon discharge. In collaboration with MHP,
Alliance is responsible for ensuring transitional care coordination as required by
Population Health Management,3 including, but not limited to:
a. Tracking when Members are admitted, discharged, or
transferred from facilities contracted by MHP (e.g., psychiatric inpatient hospitals,
psychiatric health facilities, residential mental health facilities) in accordance with Section
11(a)(iii) of this MOU.
b. Approving prior authorizations and coordinating
services where Alliance is the primary payer (e.g., home services, long-term services
and supports for dual-eligible Members);
c. Ensuring the completion of a discharge risk
assessment and developing a discharge planning document;
d. Assessing Members for any additional care
management programs or services for which they may qualify, such as ECM, CCM, or
Community Supports and enrolling the Member in the program as appropriate;
e. Notifying existing CCM Care Managers of any
admission if the Member is already enrolled in ECM or CCM; and
f. Assigning or contracting with a care manager to
coordinate with behavioral health or county care coordinators for each eligible Member
to ensure physical health follow up needs are met as outlined by the Population Health
Management Policy Guide.3
3. For Members who are admitted for residential SUD
treatment, including, but not limited to, Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs
and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities where DMC-ODS is the primary payer,
DMC-ODS is primarily responsible for coordination of the Member upon discharge. In
collaboration with DMC-ODS, Alliance is responsible for ensuring transitional care
coordination as required by Population Health Management, including, but not limited
to:
a. Tracking when Members are admitted, discharged, or
transferred from facilities contracted by DMC-ODS in accordance with Section
11(a)(iii) of this MOU;
b. Approving prior authorizations and coordinating services
3 CalAIM Population Health Management Policy Guide available at
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CalAIM/Documents/2023-PHM-Policy-Guide.pdf.
4 Expectations for transitional care are defined in the PHM Policy Program Guide:
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CalAIM/Documents/2023-PHM-Program-Guide-a11y.pdf; see also PHM
Roadmap and Strategy: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CalAIM/Documents/Final-Population-Health-
Management-Strategy-and-Roadmap.pdf
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where Alliance is the primary payer (e.g., home services, long-term services, and
supports for dual-eligible Members);
c. Ensuring the completion of a discharge risk
assessment and developing a discharge planning document;
d. Assessing Members for any additional care
management programs or services for which they may qualify, such as ECM,
CCM, or Community Supports, and enrolling the Member in the program as
appropriate;
e. Notifying existing CCM Care Managers of any
admission if the Member is already enrolled in ECM or CCM; and
f. Assigning or contracting with a care manager to
coordinate with county care coordinators to ensure physical health follow-up
needs are met for each eligible Member as outlined by the Population Health
Management Policy Guide.
4. The Parties must include a process for updating and
overseeing the implementation of the discharge planning documents as required for
Members transitioning to or from Alliance or MHP/DMC-ODS services.
5. For inpatient mental health treatment or inpatient residential
SUD treatment provided by MHP/DMC-ODS or for inpatient hospital admissions or
emergency department visits known to Alliance, the process must include the specific
method to notify each Party within 24 hours of admission and discharge and the method
of notification used to arrange for and coordinate appropriate follow-up services.
6. The Parties must have policies and procedures for addressing
changes in a Member’s medical or mental health condition when transferring between
inpatient psychiatric service and inpatient medical services, including direct transfers.
vi. Clinical Consultation.
1. For covered SUD services, the Parties must establish
policies and procedures to ensure that Members have access to clinical consultation,
including consultation on medications, as well as clinical navigation support for patients
and caregivers.
2. The Parties must establish policies and procedures for
Alliance and MHP to provide clinical consultations to each other regarding a Member’s
mental illness, including consultation on diagnosis, treatment, and medications.
3. The Parties must establish policies and procedures for
reviewing and updating a Member’s problem list, as clinically indicated (e.g., following
crisis intervention or hospitalization), including when the care plan or problem list must
be updated, and coordinating with outpatient mental health Network Providers.
vii. Enhanced Care Management.
2. Delivery of the ECM benefit for individuals who meet ECM
Population of Focus definitions (including, but not limited to, the Individuals with Severe
Mental Illness and Children Populations of Focus) must be consistent with DHCS
guidance regarding ECM, including:
a. That Alliance prioritize assigning a Member to an
SMHS Provider or DMC-ODS Provider as the ECM Provider if the Member receives
SMHS or covered SUD services from that Provider and that Provider is a contracted ECM
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14
Provider, unless the Member has expressed a different preference or Alliance identifies
a more appropriate ECM Provider given the Member’s individual needs and health
conditions;
b. That the Parties implement a process for SMHS
Providers and DMC-ODS Providers to refer their patients to Alliance for ECM if the
patients meet Population of Focus criteria; and
c. That the Parties implement a process for avoiding
duplication of services for individuals receiving ECM with SMHS Targeted Case
Management (“TCM”), Intensive Care Coordination (“ICC”), and/or Full-Service
Partnership (“FSP”) services as set forth in the CalAIM ECM Policy Guide, as revised or
superseded from time to time, and coordination activities (including DMC-ODS care
coordination). Members receiving DMC-ODS care coordination can also be eligible for
and receive ECM.
d. Alliance must have written processes for ensuring the
non-duplication of services for Members receiving ECM and DMC-ODS care
coordination.
viii. Community Supports.
1. Coordination must be established with applicable
Community Supports providers under contract with Alliance, including:
a. The identified point of contact, from each Party to act
as the liaison to oversee initiating, providing, and maintaining ongoing coordination as
mutually agreed upon in Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS protocols;
b. Identification of the Community Supports covered by
Alliance; and
c. A process specifying how MHP/DMC-ODS will make
referrals for Members eligible for or receiving
Community Supports.
ix. Eating Disorder Services.
1. MHP is responsible for the SMHS components of eating
disorder treatment and Alliance is responsible for the physical health components of
eating disorder treatment and NSMHS, including, but not limited to, those in APL 22-003
and BHIN 22-009, and any subsequently issued superseding APLs or BHINs, and must
develop a process to ensure such treatment is provided to eligible Members, specifically:
a. MHP must provide for medically necessary psychiatric
inpatient hospitalization and outpatient SMHS.
b. Alliance must also provide or arrange for NSMHS
for Members requiring eating disorder services.
2. For partial hospitalization and residential eating disorder
programs, MHP is responsible for medically necessary SMHS components, while
Alliance is responsible for the medically necessary physical health components.
a. Alliance is responsible for the physical health
components of eating disorder treatment, including emergency room services, and
inpatient hospitalization for Members with physical health conditions, including those
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15
who require hospitalization due to physical complications of an eating disorder and who
do not meet criteria for psychiatric hospitalization.
The Parties intend to enter into a separate agreement
outlining the Parties’ financial responsibility for services covered by this MOU where the
MCP and MHP have shared responsibility for providing the services to Members. This
separate agreement will be incorporated into this Agreement by this reference once
executed.
x. Prescription Drugs.
1. The Parties must establish policies and procedures to
coordinate prescription drug, laboratory, radiological, and radioisotope service
procedures. The joint policies and procedures must include:
a. MHP is obligated to provide the names and
qualification of prescribing physicians to the Alliance.
b. Alliance is obligated to provide the Alliance’s
procedures for obtaining authorization of prescribed rugs and laboratory services,
including a list of available pharmacies and laboratories.
c. The Parties must have a process for referring eligible
Members for SUD services to a Drug Medi-Cal-certified program or a DMC-ODS program
in accordance with the Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract.
xi. CARE Act (Group Care Line of Business Only)
Per APL 23-016 and any subsequent related APLs, the Alliance shall designate a
point of contact and phone number for MHP and/or providers to contact the Alliance
about claims for services that arise from a CARE Agreement or CARE Plan (CARE
Services) or about a Member that is the subject of a pending CARE petition.
CARE Act requires health plans to fully cover health care services pursuant to a
CARE agreement or CARE plan without prior authorization for services, other than
prescription claims, for CARE Service provided pursuant to a Care agreement or Care
plans to be processed in the same automated manner as standard claims and shall
accept claims for CARE Services outside its standardized claims process.
When a MHP or provider contacts the Alliance about a Member in a CARE petition
or about a claim for CARE Services, the Alliance shall return the call by 5:00pm, the next
business day. Upon request, the Alliance shall provide instructions, within one (1)
business day of the request, about how to submit a claim for CARE Services to the
Alliance for processing and payment.
The Alliance shall not require claims for CARE Services to be processed in the
same automated manner as standard claims and shall accept claims for CARE Services
outside of its standardized claims process and process CARE Services claims within the
Knox-Keene Act claims processing timelines.
The Alliance shall not require MHPs or providers to submit additional or different
information that it requires to process claims for standard behavioral health services. The
Alliance, if necessary, may ask MHPs or providers to affirm or specify whether claims are
for CARE Services.
The Alliance shall reimburse MCP per claims submission policy and procedure for
medically necessary treatment of a mental health or substance use disorder, including
but not limited to, behavioral health crisis services, provided to a Member with CARE
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16
agreement or CARE plan, by a 988 center or mobile crisis team, regardless of whether
the service is provided by an in-network or out-of-network provider pursuant to Section
1374.72.
Payment for services may be denied only if the plan reasonably determines the
Member was not enrolled with the plan at the time the services were rendered, the
services were never performed, or the services were not provided by a health care
provider appropriately licensed or authorized to provide the services. (CA Health and
Safety Code section 1374.723).
The Alliance shall accept and pay claims for CARE Services that were rendered by
providers qualified to provide such services under their professional license or credential
in the State of California. The Alliance shall not require CARE Service providers to enroll
through the health plan’s provider enrollment process.
9. Quarterly Meetings.
a. The Parties must meet as frequently as necessary to ensure proper
oversight of this MOU but not less frequently than quarterly to address care coordination,
Quality Improvement (“QI”) activities, QI outcomes, systemic and case- specific
concerns, and communication with others within their organizations about such activities.
These meetings may be conducted virtually.
b. Within 30 Working Days after each quarterly meeting, the Parties must
each post on its website the date and time the quarterly meeting occurred, and, as
applicable, distribute to meeting participants a summary of any follow-up action items or
changes to processes that are necessary to fulfill the Parties’ obligations under the Medi-
Cal Managed Care Contract, the MHP Contract and the DMC-ODS Intergovernmental
Agreement, and this MOU.
c. The Parties must invite the other Party’s Responsible Person and
appropriate program executives to participate in quarterly meetings to ensure
appropriate committee representation, including local presence, to discuss and address
care coordination and MOU-related issues. The Parties’ Subcontractors and
Downstream Subcontractors should be permitted to participate in these meetings, as
appropriate.
d. The Parties must report to DHCS updates from quarterly meetings in a
manner and frequency specified by DHCS.
e. Local Representation. Alliance must participate, as appropriate, in
meetings or engagements to which Alliance is invited by MHP/DMC-ODS, such as local
county meetings, local community forums, and MHP/DMC-ODS engagements, to
collaborate with MHP/DMC-ODS in equity strategy and wellness and prevention activities.
10. Quality Improvement. The Parties must develop QI activities specifically for the
oversight of the requirements of this MOU, including, without limitation, any applicable
performance measures and QI initiatives, including those to prevent duplication of
services, as well as reports that track referrals, Member engagement, and service
utilization. Such QI activities must include processes to monitor the extent to which
Members are able to access mental health services across SMHS and NSMHS, and
Covered Service utilization. The Parties must document these QI activities in policies and
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17
procedures.
11. Data Sharing and Confidentiality. The Parties must establish and implement
policies and procedures to ensure that the minimum necessary Member information and
data for accomplishing the goals of this MOU are exchanged timely and maintained
securely and confidentially and in compliance with the requirements set forth below to the
extent permitted under applicable state and federal law. The Parties will share protected
health information (“PHI”) for the purposes of medical and behavioral health care
coordination pursuant to Cal. Code Regs. tit. 9, Section 1810.370(a)(3), and to the fullest
extent permitted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and its
implementing regulations, as amended (“HIPAA”) and 42 Code Federal Regulations Part
2, and other State and federal privacy laws. For additional guidance, the Parties should
refer to the CalAIM Data Sharing Authorization Guidance.5
a. Data Exchange. Except where prohibited by law or regulation, Alliance and
MHP/DMC-ODS must share the minimum necessary data and information to facilitate
referrals and coordinate care under this MOU. The Parties must have policies and
procedures for supporting the timely and frequent exchange of Member information and
data, including behavioral health and physical health data; for ensuring the confidentiality
of exchanged information and data; and, if necessary, for obtaining Member consent,
when required. The minimum necessary information and data elements to be shared as
agreed upon by the Parties, are set forth in Exhibit C of this MOU. To the extent permitted
under applicable law, the Parties must share, at a minimum, Member demographic
information, behavioral and physical health information, diagnoses, assessments,
medications prescribed, laboratory results, referrals/discharges to/from inpatient or crisis
services and known changes in condition that may adversely impact the Member’s health
and/or welfare. The Parties must annually review and, if appropriate, update Exhibit C of
this MOU to facilitate sharing of information and data. MHP/DMC-ODS and Alliance must
establish policies and procedures to implement the following with regard to information
sharing:
i. A process for timely exchanging information about Members
eligible for ECM, regardless of whether the Specialty Mental Health provider or DMC-
ODS Provider is serving as an ECM provider;
ii. A process for MHP/DMC-ODS to send regular, frequent batches of
referrals to ECM and Community Supports to Alliance in as close to real time as possible;
iii. A process for MHP/DMC-ODS to send admission, discharge, and
transfer data to Alliance when Members are admitted to, discharged from, or transferred
from facilities contracted by MHP/DMC-ODS (e.g., psychiatric inpatient hospitals,
psychiatric health facilities, residential mental health facilities, residential SUD treatment
facilities, residential SUD withdrawal management facilities), and for Alliance to receive
this data. This process may incorporate notification requirements as described in Section
5 CalAIM Data Sharing Authorization Guidance VERSION 2.0 June 2023 available at:
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Documents/MCQMD/CalAIM-Data-Sharing-Authorization-Guidance-Version-2-
Draft-Public-Comment.pdf.
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18
8(a)(v)(3);
iv. A process to implement mechanisms to alert the other Party of
behavioral health crises (e.g., MHP alerts Alliance of Members’ uses of mobile
health, psych inpatient, and crisis stabilization and Alliance alerts MHP of Members’
visits to emergency departments and hospitals; and DMC-ODS alerts Alliance of
uses of SUD crises intervention); and
v. A process for Alliance to send admission, discharge, and transfer
data to MHP/DMC-ODS when Members are admitted to, discharged from, or transferred
from facilities contracted by Alliance (e.g., emergency department, inpatient hospitals,
nursing facilities), and for MHP/DMC-ODS to receive this data. This process may
incorporate notification requirements as described in Section 8(a)(v)(5).
b. Behavioral Health Quality Improvement Program. If MHP/DMC-ODS
is participating in the Behavioral Health Quality Improvement Program, then Alliance
and MHP/DMC-ODS are encouraged to execute a DSA. If MHP/DMC-ODS and
Alliance have not executed a DSA, MHP/DMC-ODS must sign a Participation
Agreement to onboard with a Health Information Exchange that has signed the
California Data Use and Reciprocal Support Agreement and joined the California
Trusted Exchange Network.
c. Interoperability. Alliance and MHP must make available to Members their
electronic health information held by Alliance pursuant to 42 Code of Federal Regulations
Section 438.10 and in accordance with APL 22-026 or any subsequent version of the
APL. Alliance must make available an application programming interface (“API”) that
makes complete and accurate Network Provider directory information available through
a public-facing digital endpoint on Alliance’s and MHP’s respective websites pursuant to
42 Code of Federal Regulations Sections 438.242(b) and 438.10(h). Alliance and DMC-
ODS must exchange data in compliance with the payer-to-payer data exchange
requirements pursuant to 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 170. Alliance must make
available to Members their electronic health information held by the Parties and make
available an application program interface that makes complete and accurate Network
Provider directory information available through a public-facing digital endpoint on
Alliance’s and DMC-ODS’s respective websites pursuant to 42 Code of Federal
Regulations Section 438.242(b) and 42 Code of Federal Regulations Section 438.10(h).
The Parties must comply with DHCS interoperability requirements set forth in APL 22-
026 and BHIN 22-068, or any subsequent version of the APL and BHIN, as applicable.
12. Dispute Resolution.
a. The Parties must agree to dispute resolution procedures such that in the
event of any dispute or difference of opinion regarding the Party responsible for service
coverage arising out of or relating to this MOU, the Parties must attempt, in good faith, to
promptly resolve the dispute mutually between themselves. The Parties must document
the agreed-upon dispute resolution procedures in policies and procedures. Pending
resolution of any such dispute, Alliance and MHP must continue without delay to carry
out all responsibilities under this MOU unless the MOU is terminated. If the dispute cannot
be resolved within 15 Working Days of initiating such negotiations, either Party may
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19
pursue its available legal and equitable remedies under California law. Disputes between
Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS that cannot be resolved in a good faith attempt between
the Parties must be forwarded by Alliance and/or DMC-ODS to DHCS.
b. Disputes between Alliance and MHP that cannot be resolved in a good faith
attempt between the Parties must be forwarded to DHCS via a written “Request for
Resolution” by either MHP or Alliance within three business days after failure to resolve
the dispute, consistent with the procedure defined in Cal. Code Regs. tit. 9, § 1850.505,
“Resolutions of Disputes between MHPs and Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans” and APL
21-013. Any decision rendered by DHCS regarding a dispute between Alliance and MHP
concerning provision of Covered Services is not subject to the dispute procedures set
forth in the Primary Operations Contract Exhibit E, Section 1.21 (Contractor’s Dispute
Resolution Requirements);
c. A dispute between MHP and Alliance must not delay the provision of
medically necessary SMHS, physical health care services, or related prescription drugs
and laboratory, radiological, or radioisotope services to beneficiaries as required by Cal.
Code Regs. tit. 9, § 1850.525;
d. Until the dispute is resolved, the following must apply:
i. The Parties may agree to an arrangement satisfactory to both
Parties regarding how the services under dispute will be provided; or
ii. When the dispute concerns Alliance’s contention that MHP is
required to deliver SMHS to a Member either because the Member’s condition would not
be responsive to physical health care-based treatment or because MHP has incorrectly
determined the Member’s diagnosis to be a diagnosis not covered by MHP, Alliance
must manage the care of the Member under the terms of its contract with the State until
the dispute is resolved. MHP must identify and provide Alliance with the name and
telephone number of a psychiatrist or other qualified licensed mental health professional
available
to provide clinical consultation, including consultation on medications to Alliance provider
responsible for the Member’s care.
iii. When the dispute concerns MHP’s contention that Alliance is
required to deliver physical health care-based treatment of a mental illness, or to deliver
prescription drugs or laboratory, radiological, or radioisotope services required to
diagnose or treat the mental illness, MHP is responsible for providing or arranging and
paying for those services until the dispute is resolved.
iv. When the dispute concerns Alliance’s contention that DMC-ODS is
required to deliver SUD services to a Member and DMC-ODS has incorrectly determined
the Member’s diagnosis to be a diagnosis not covered by DMC-ODS, Alliance must
manage the care of the Member under the terms of its contract with the State, including
providing or arranging and paying for those services until the dispute is resolved.
v. When the dispute concerns DMC-ODS’s contention that Alliance is
required to deliver physical health care-based treatment, or to deliver prescription drugs
or laboratory, radiological, or radioisotope services required to diagnose, DMC-ODS is
responsible for providing or arranging and paying for those services until the dispute is
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20
resolved.
e. If decisions rendered by DHCS find Alliance is financially liable for
services, Alliance must comply with the requirements in Cal. Code Regs. tit. 9, §
1850.530.
f. The Parties may agree to an expedited dispute resolution process if a
Member has not received a disputed service(s) and the Parties determine that the routine
dispute resolution process timeframe would result in serious jeopardy to the Member’s
life, health, or ability to attain, maintain, or regain maximum function. Under this expedited
process, the Parties will have one Working Day after identification of a dispute to attempt
to resolve the dispute at the plan level. All terms and requirements established in APL 21-
013 and BHIN 21-034 apply to disputes between Alliance and MHP where the Parties
cannot agree on the appropriate place of care. Nothing in this MOU or provision must
constitute a waiver of any of the government claim filing requirements set forth in Title I,
Division 3.6, of the California Government Code or as otherwise set forth in local, state,
and federal law.
g. MHP must designate a person or process to receive notice of actions,
denials, or deferrals from Alliance, and to provide any additional information requested
in the deferral notice as necessary for a medical necessity determination. Unless
otherwise determined by the Parties, the DMC-ODS Liaison must be the designated
individual responsible for receiving notice of actions, denials, or deferrals from Alliance,
and for providing any additional information requested in the deferral notice as
necessary for a medical necessity determination.
h. Alliance must monitor and track the number of disputes with MHP/DMC-
ODS where the Parties cannot agree on an appropriate place of care and, upon request,
must report all such disputes to DHCS.
i. Once MHP receives a deferral from Alliance, MHP must respond by the
close of the business day following the day the deferral notice is received, consistent with
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 14715.
j. Nothing in this MOU or provision constitutes a waiver of any of the
government claim filing requirements set forth in Title I, Division 3.6, of the California
Government Code or as otherwise set forth in local, State, or federal law.
13. Equal Treatment. Nothing in this MOU is intended to benefit or prioritize
Members over persons served by MHP/DMC-ODS who are not Members. Pursuant to
Title VI, 42 United States Code Section 2000d, et seq., MHP/DMC-ODS cannot provide
any service, financial aid, or other benefit, to an individual which is different, or is
provided in a different manner, from that provided to others provided by MHP/DMC-
ODS.
14. General.
a. MOU Posting. Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS must each post this executed
MOU on its website.
b. Documentation Requirements. Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS must
retain all documents demonstrating compliance with this MOU for at least 10 years as
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21
required by the Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract, MHP Contract, and DMC-ODS
Intergovernmental Agreement. If DHCS requests a review of any existing MOU, the
Party that received the request must submit the requested MOU to DHCS within 10
Working Days of receipt of the request.
c. Notice. Any notice required or desired to be given pursuant to or in
connection with this MOU must be given in writing, addressed to the noticed Party at the
Notice Address set forth below the signature lines of this MOU. Notices must be (i)
delivered in person to the Notice Address; (ii) delivered by messenger or overnight
delivery service to the Notice Address; (iii) sent by regular United States mail, certified,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the Notice Address; or (iv) sent by email,
with a copy sent by regular United States mail to the Notice Address. Notices given by in-
person delivery, messenger, or overnight delivery service are deemed given upon actual
delivery at the Notice Address. Notices given by email are deemed given the day following
the day the email was sent. Notices given by regular United States mail, certified, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, are deemed given on the date of delivery indicated
on the return receipt. The Parties may change their addresses for purposes of receiving
notice hereunder by giving notice of such change to each other in the manner provided
for herein.
d. Delegation. Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS may delegate its obligations
under this MOU to a Fully Delegated Subcontractor or Partially Delegated Subcontractor
as permitted under the Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract, provided that such Fully
Delegated Subcontractor or Partially Delegated Subcontractor is made a Party to this
MOU. Further, the Parties may enter into Subcontractor Agreements or Downstream
Subcontractor Agreements that relate directly or indirectly to the performance of the
Parties’ obligations under this MOU. Other than in these circumstances, the Parties
cannot delegate the obligations and duties contained in this MOU.
e. Annual Review. Alliance and MHP/DMC-ODS must conduct an annual
review of this MOU to determine whether any modifications, amendments, updates,
or renewals of responsibilities and obligations outlined within are required. Alliance
and MHP/DMC-ODS must provide DHCS evidence of the annual review of this MOU
as well as copies of any MOUs modified or renewed as a result.
f. Amendment. This MOU may only be amended or modified by the Parties
through a writing executed by the Parties. However, this MOU is deemed automatically
amended or modified to incorporate any provisions amended or modified in the Medi-
Cal Managed Care Contract, the MHP Contract, the DMC-ODS Intergovernmental
Agreement, and any subsequently issued superseding APLs, BHINs, or guidance, or as
required by applicable law or any applicable guidance issued by a State or federal
oversight entity.
g. Governance. This MOU is governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the state of California.
h. Independent Contractors. No provision of this MOU is intended to
create, nor is any provision deemed or construed to create any relationship between
MHP/DMC-ODS and Alliance other than that of independent entities contracting with
each other hereunder solely for the purpose of effecting the provisions of this MOU.
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22
Neither MHP/DMC-ODS nor Alliance, nor any of their respective contractors,
employees, agents, or representatives, is construed to be the contractor, employee,
agent, or representative of the other.
i. Counterpart Execution. This MOU may be executed in counterparts
signed electronically, and sent via PDF, each of which is deemed an original, but all of
which, when taken together, constitute one and the same instrument.
j. Superseding MOU. This MOU constitutes the final and entire agreement
between the Parties and supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements,
negotiations, or understandings between the Parties that conflict with the provisions set
forth in this MOU. It is expressly understood and agreed that any prior written or oral
agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter herein is hereby
terminated by mutual agreement of the Parties.
(REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLLY LEFT BLANK)
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23
The Parties represent that they have authority to enter into this MOU on behalf of
their respective entities.
signature
Name: Karyn L. Tribble, PsyD, LCSW
Embarcadero Cove, Suite 400
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#
94-6000501
1659402303
24
Exhibits A
Alameda Alliance for Health Responsible Person
Alliance-MHP/DMC-ODS Liaison
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25
EXHIBIT B
Name: Karyn L. Tribble, PsyD, LCSW, Behavioral Health Director
Email: karyn.tribble@acgov.org
Fax : 510-567-8180
Telephone : 510-567-8100
Name: Vanessa Baker, Deputy Director, Plan Administrator
Email: vanessa.baker2@acgov.org
Fax #: 510-567-8180
Telephone: 510-567-8194
Name: Danielle Moore, Senior Contract Manager
Email: danielle.moore@acgov.org
Fax #: 510-567-8290
Phone # 510-383-1774
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EXHIBIT C
Data Elements
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Parties must share, at a minimum,
Member demographic information, behavioral and physical health information,
diagnoses, assessments, medications prescribed, laboratory results,
referrals/discharges to/from inpatient or crisis services and known changes in condition
that may adversely impact the Member’s health and/or welfare.
! "