Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a noncompetitive contract between the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County and the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin System, to provide short-term support for the University of Wisconsin’s Covering Wisconsin-Marketplace Insurance Enrollment Assistance Program (CWI). The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that created Public Health-Madison and Dane County gives the Board of Health the authority to make budget transfers of up to $50,000 (IGA, Section VIII, Paragraph G). On June 14, 2018, the Board of Health approved an amendment to the Public Health 2018 operating budget to provide $50,000 to CWI (Munis account 32309-5482).
Title
Authorizing a noncompetitive contract between the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County and the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin System, a past consultant, to provide short-term support for the University of Wisconsin’s Covering Wisconsin-Marketplace Insurance Enrollment Assistance Program.
Body
In 2017, the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County (BOHMDC), the City of Madison Common Council and the Dane County Board of Supervisors agreed to provide financial support to a program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison called Covering Wisconsin (CWI) to assure the continuation of federal marketplace (ACA insurance) and Medicaid/BadgerCare Navigator enrollment support to Dane County residents.
CWI has received federal funding for the past 4 years to provide health insurance education, outreach, and enrollment services associated with the health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act (known as “Navigator” services) in communities in the southern tier of the state, including Dane County. Federal support for Navigator functions was significantly reduced in FY18, and CWI’s existing federal funding expires on September 12, 2018. Despite the significant reduction in funding to support enrollment services, the federal health insurance Marketplace is still a viable option for individuals in need of health insurance.
WHEREAS, CWI, based within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, runs the state’s largest federally -certified and state-licensed Navigator agency. CWI connects residents with and promotes effective use of insurance coverage and other programs that support health. In 2018, CWI’s work continues to be centered on three primary engagement areas: 1) health coverage outreach and enrollment assistance; 2) education on using health coverage to access care; and 3) assistance with free school meals enrollment through direct certification.
WHEREAS, Navigators work to promote enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)/Obamacare plans and in Medicaid/BadgerCare, filling an essential role in meeting the diverse needs of lower-income consumers. Navigators assure that a whole family gets appropriate coverage (i.e. when parent qualifies for Marketplace insurance coverage and a child qualifies for Medicaid).
WHEREAS, Covering Wisconsin has four federally-certified, state-licensed bi-lingual and bi-cultural Marketplace Insurance Navigators working at locations in Dane County to connect residents to health insurance and other health programs, assuring that a whole family gets appropriate coverage (i.e. when parent qualifies for Marketplace insurance coverage and a child qualifies for Medicaid). Navigators provide enrollment services at six community-based locations in Dane County and conduct enrollment events at libraries and other sites.
WHEREAS, The ACA 2018 open enrollment period was cut to 6 weeks, compared to a 12-week period for the 2017, leading to a 7 percent decline statewide in enrollment levels. With the City and County funding provided by PHMDC to CWI, Madison and Dane County saw a reduction of only 3.9 percent over that same time period.
WHEREAS, To date, for FY19, UW Health has committed $50,000, SSM Health has committed $25,000, and the BOHMDC has amended the PHMDC budget to provide $50,000 to CWI. Combined, this $125,000 will allow CWI to achieve $125,000 in matching federal Medicaid money so that for FY19, as long as the Affordable Care Act Insurance Marketplace continues as per Federal Law; Navigators are available to Dane County residents to support them choosing health plans; and
WHEREAS, PHMDC follows City of Madison purchasing policies and ordinances, those policies allow for a noncompetitive contract with a University, but because this contract is more than $25,000, Common Council approval is required;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison Common Council authorizes the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County on behalf of Public Health-Madison and Dane County to enter into a noncompetitive contract with The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to provide a total of $50,000 for CWI navigators activities that will take place between September 13, 2018 and September 12, 2019, and authorizes the Director of Public Health to sign such a contract; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the funding authorized by this Resolution for CWI will be contingent on certain Medicaid matching funds being available to CWI and the availability of special enrollment periods after open enrollment, with such contingencies to be verified by the Director of Public Health; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the payment to CWI will be made, with an initial payment in October 2018, and subsequent payments in January 2019 and September 2019 after submission of reports containing the data elements to be described in the scope of service.