MERCY CARE MOU - ATTACHMENT A.DOCX

Attachment A
MARICOPA COUNTY CORRECTIONAL HEALTH
MERCY CARE
COLLABORATIVE UNDERSTANDING
I. Background
I.
The Maricopa County Correctional Health Services (CHS) enhances community safety
by working in a collaborative partnership with AHCCCS, MERCY CARE and its
contracted providers to provide research-based prevention and intervention services.
Mercy Care’s contracted providers deliver a range of health care services and treatment
programs for adults and youth with physical health needs, serious mental illness and
other mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
To facilitate the transition of members transitioning out of jails and back into our
community, collaboration between CHS and the Mercy Care is critical to reentry
activities. Specifically, Mercy Care will collaborate with CHS to accomplish “reach-in”
care coordination for members who have been incarcerated in the adult correctional
system for 30 days or longer and have an anticipated release date. “Reach-in” care
coordination activities shall begin upon knowledge of a member’s anticipated release
date. Mercy Care will collaborate with CHS to identify justice-involved Seriously
Mentally Ill (SMI) members, and General Mental Health/Substance Use (GMHSU)
members in the adult criminal justice system with physical and/or behavioral health
chronic and/or complex care needs prior to member’s release.
II. Data Sharing and Coordination
Mercy Care and CHS will partner to:
a) Communicate timely data necessary for coordination of care in conformance with
all applicable administrative orders, state laws and regulations, 42 CFR Part 2, and
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements that
permit the sharing of written, verbal and electronic information, and
b) Utilize data sharing agreements and administrative orders that permit the sharing
of written, verbal and electronic information at the time of admission into the
facility and at the time of discharge.
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III. Collaborative Protocols
When Mercy Care becomes aware that a member is incarcerated, and is subject to the
“Reach-In” requirements, described above:
1. The Mercy Care Point of Contact or designee will complete a Justice Transition Form
(JTF) for SMI members and GMHSU members with designated chronic conditions
and send the JTF to CHS:
a. CHS will confirm diagnosis/chronic condition in TechCare.
b. CHS will complete the CHS section of the JTF and return it to Mercy Care –
scan it into TechCare.
2. If CHS identifies newly diagnosed chronic care conditions, CHS will complete a JTF
and send it to the Mercy Care Point of Contact or designee.
3. If member has a diagnosis of HIV+, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), or
Substance Use/Misuse, the member’s written consent to release and share information
must be completed and uploaded into TechCare prior to disclosure of the member’s
identifying information.
4. If member is in jail 30 days or more, the Mercy Care Point of Contact or designee
will initiate a video or in person visit with the member.
5. An Appointment will be made with member’s Primary Care Physician (PCP) to occur
within 7 days of release.
6. The Mercy Care Point of Contact or designee will forward to CHS an “Introduction
Letter,” via secure email, with the following information:
a. Appointment day/time
b. Clinic name and location
c. Health Plan Point of Contact (or designee) contact information
7. CHS will place this introduction letter into the member’s property which will be
provided upon jail release.
8. CHS and the Mercy Care Point of Contact or other health staff may coordinate
special needs prior to jail release (such as courtesy release, medical equipment, or
specific medications).
IV. Co-Location at Initial Appearance for Mercy Care Jail Diversion Staff
Mercy Care and CHS will work together to ensure on-site availability of Mercy Care
Staff in order to facilitate Jail Diversion Activities for the SMI population. This will
include cooperation to enable Mercy Care Jail Diversion staff access to co-located work
stations within the Initial Appearance Courts.
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V. Provide mechanisms for communication and resolving problems
CHS and Mercy Care will have quarterly steering committee meetings to build and
strengthen relationships and address any problems or conflicts. Additionally, Mercy
Care will identify and extend invitations to CHS, to provider level meetings
appropriate for CHS participation.
Meetings shall include opportunities for agency cross-training and for identifying,
communicating and resolving problems to increase understanding and knowledge
of each other's mission, goals and how, through agency collaboration, members are
provided identified services to improve their health and well-being and reduce
recidivism.
Mercy Care and CHS will work together to ensure processes from both agencies are
being practiced. On-going improvement efforts will focus on reducing
redundancies and providing timely, accurate and relevant information to coordinate
services and evaluate outcomes of those services.
Mercy Care and CHS will identify key staff who have the authority to assist with
disputes and find resolutions based on the agreements and best interest of the
populations jointly served. If necessary, this may include the Mercy Care Chief
Medical Officer (or designee) and the CHS Mental Health Director. Meetings shall
include opportunities to report identified gaps and discuss and act on resolutions.
VI. Identify and address joint training needs
Mercy Care and its contracted providers and CHS will provide cross training
opportunities as mutually agreeable needs are identified.
VII. Review
This collaborative protocol shall be reviewed annually and updated as mutually
agreeable by both parties.
_______________________________________________________ ___________
CHS Authorized Signature Date
_______________________________________________________ _____________
Mercy Care Authorized Signature Date
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