HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgreement A-25-618 with CalMHSA.pdf Agreement No. 25-618
13924-FC-EQROPI P-25_26
EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Fresno County
November 21, 2025
CALIFORNIA MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
EQRO AUDIT AND PIP SUPPORT
COVER SHEET
Fresno County ("Participant") desires to participate in the EQRO Audit and PIP Support ("Program")
offered by the California Mental Health Services Authority ("CalMHSA") on the terms provided in this
Participation Agreement ("Agreement'). Participant acknowledges that the Program will also be
governed by CaIMHSA's Joint Powers Agreement and its Bylaws, as well as the terms of the current JPA-
Business Associate Agreement executed by and between the parties.The Agreement is effective January
1, 2026,through December 31, 2026 ("Term").The following exhibits are attached and form part of this
Agreement:
Exhibit A Detailed Program Description, Obligations, Restrictions
Exhibit B General Terms and Conditions
1. Summary of Program:This Program will support the Participant's Mental Health and/or Drug Medi-
Cal Plans by managing activities relevant to the completion of the FY25/26 annual External Quality
Review ("EQRO") Audit, including activities that support the live EQRO audit and activities that
support submission of the federally required Performance Improvement Projects("PIPs").
2. Funding: Participant will pay for the fixed fee Services selected by Participant as indicated in Exhibit
B,Section V.Table 2.The total funding amount for this Agreement shall not exceed$41,300 and shall
be due upon execution of this Agreement.
3. Electronic Signatures:
The parties agree that this Agreement may be executed by electronic signature as provided in this
section. (A)An "electronic signature" means any symbol or process intended by an individual signing
this Agreement to represent their signature, including but not limited to (1) a digital signature; (2) a
faxed version of an original handwritten signature; or (3) an electronically scanned and transmitted
(for example by PDF document) of a handwritten signature. (B) Each electronic signature affixed or
attached to this Agreement(1) is deemed equivalent to a valid original handwritten signature of the
person signing this Agreement for all purposes, including but not limited to evidentiary proof in any
administrative or judicial proceeding, and (2) has the same force and effect as the valid original
handwritten signature of that person. (C) The provisions of this section satisfy the requirements of
Civil Code section 1633.5, subdivision (b), in the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (Civil Code,
Division 3, Part 2, Title 2.5, beginning with section 1633.1). (D) Each party using a digital signature
represents that it has undertaken and satisfied the requirements of Government Code section 16.5,
subdivision (a), paragraphs (1) through (5), and agrees that each other party may rely upon that
representation. (E) This Agreement is not conditioned upon the parties conducting the transactions
under it by electronic means and either party may sign this Agreement with an original handwritten
signature.
Fresno County—EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Docusign Envelope ID:5C2413B9-3365-4CF7-93AD-3EDOA34D6F6C
13924-FC-EQROPIP-25 26
EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Fresno County
November 21,2025
Authorized Signatures:
CaIMHSA DocuSigned by:
Signed: R,FQFFRAR7C'C'ddR Name(Printed): Dr.Arnie Miller, Psy.D., MFT
Title: Executive Director Date: 12/17/2025
Participant:
oe
Signed p Name (Printed): Ernest Buddy Mendes
Title:Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno Date: I Z�y�zS
ATTEST:
BERNICE E.SEIDEL
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County of Fresno,State of California
By "kl� UA—�— Deputy
FOR FRESNO COUNTY ACCOUNTING USE ONLY:
Fund/Subclass: 0001/10000
Organization: 56302016 ($41,300)
Account/Program: 7295
Fresno County—EQRO Audit and PIP Support
13924-FC-EQROPI P-2526
EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Fresno County
November 21, 2025
EXHIBIT A—Detailed Program Description, Obligations, Restrictions
Detailed Program Description:
CaIMHSA will support Participants in managing one or both of two essential activities, EQRO Audit Support
and PIP support for those counties utilizing the CaIMHSA SmartCare Electronic Health Record System.
Table 1, below, includes a list of available Program offerings under this Agreement. Additional details for
each Program offering are included below in the CaIMHSA Obligations and Participant Obligations sections
of Exhibit A.
Table 1:
Program Offering Description Cost/Number of PIPS
CalMHSA will support county plan(s) in
preparing for and completing the FY25-26
External Quality Review(EQR) audits related
to the SmartCare EHR. CaIMHSA support will
include identification and completion of the
portions of the Information Systems
Capability Assessment Tool (ISCAT)
document best responded to by CaIMHSA,
and identification of those items best
completed by county plan(s). CaIMHSA will
EQRO Audit Support liaise with the EQR organization's team, as Cost: $41,300
permitted, and identify subject matter
experts who will participate in virtual audits,
as invited by county plans. CaIMHSA will
support document resubmission and assist
with responding to follow up questions, as
needed. CalMHSA will submit front-end
SmartCare screenshots on behalf of county
plans to support Performance Measure
validation for those that have also opted
into the HEDIS PA.
Fresno County—Exhibit A—Detailed Program Description, Obligations, Restrictions
Page 3 of 8
13924-FC-EQROPI P-2526
EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Fresno County
November 21, 2025
Performance
* Intentionally Omitted. Intentionally Omitted.
Improvement Projects
*RE: Performance Improvement Projects: Intentionally omitted.
CaIMHSA Obligations:
CaIMHSA shall have the following obligations based on each Program offering purchased:
A. EQRO Audit Support
1. Submission Generation:
i. Complete the portion of the required EQR document submission relevant to
CaIMHSA support role for SmartCare EHR to county plan(s).
2. Audit Session Participation
i. Participate in audit sessions as invited by the county plan(s) to address inquiries
and provide support.
ii. Assist County Plan(s) with document re-submission as needed.
B. Performance Improvement Projects
1. Intentionally omitted.
Fresno County—Exhibit A—Detailed Program Description, Obligations, Restrictions
Page 4 of 8
13924-FC-EQROPI P-2526
EQRO Audit and PIP Support
Fresno County
November 21, 2025
Participant Obligations:
Participant shall have the following obligations based on each Program offering purchased:
A. EQRO Audit Support
1. Primary EQR Liaison
i. As the entity subject to EQR audit, the County Plan must take the lead in
communicating and coordinating with the EQR unless otherwise agreed by the
EQR.
2. Data and Documentation Provision
i. Provide CaIMHSA with all necessary documents and background information
required for the development of audit reports.
3. Audit Session Support
i. Attend audit sessions, inviting CaIMHSA as needed.
4. Post-Audit Collaboration
i. Provide CaIMHSA with all necessary follow-up information to comply with post-
audit resubmissions or other deliverables.
B. Performance Improvement Projects
1. Intentionally omitted.
C. Communicate all questions and concerns to CaIMHSA via ManagedCare@calmhsa.org.
Program Restrictions:
A. Timelines and technical requirements may need adjusting due to unique circumstances.
B. HEDIS client level and/or event level data will not be provided to the participant under
this Agreement.
Fresno County—Exhibit A—Detailed Program Description, Obligations, Restrictions
Page 5 of 8
EXHIBIT B-General Terms and Conditions
I. Definitions
The following words,as used throughout this Agreement,shall be construed to have the following
meaning, unless otherwise apparent from the context in which they are used:
A. CaIMHSA — California Mental Health Services Authority, a Joint Powers Authority (JPA)
created by counties in 2009 at the instigation of the California Mental Health Directors
Association to jointly develop and fund mental health services and education programs.
B. Member — A County (or JPA of two or more Counties) that has joined CaIMHSA and
executed the CalMHSA Joint Powers Agreement.
C. Participant—Any County participating in the Program either as Member of CaIMHSA or
under a Memorandum of Understanding with CalMHSA.
D. Program — The program identified in the Cover Sheet offered by CaIMHSA under the
Agreement.
II. Responsibilities
A. Responsibilities of CalMHSA:
1. Provide the Program as described in the Agreement;
2. Act as the Fiscal and Administrative agent for the Program.
3. Manage funds received consistent with the requirements of applicable laws,
regulations, and this Agreement.
4. Provide regular fiscal reports to Participant and/or other public agencies with a
right to such reports.
5. Comply with CalMHSA's Joint Powers Agreement and Bylaws.
B. Responsibilities of Participant:
1. Pay for the Program as set out in this Agreement. Payments are due within 30
days of receipt of an invoice or, as applicable, within 30 days of Agreement
execution.
2. Provide CaIMHSA and any other parties deemed necessary with requested
information and assistance to fulfill the purpose of the Program.
3. Where applicable, ensure completion of any Participant requirements set out in
Exhibit A including all assessments, creation of individual case plans, and
providing or arranging for services.
4. Cooperate by providing CalMHSA with requested information and assistance to
fulfill the purpose of the Program.
5. Provide feedback on Program performance.
6. Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, contractual agreements,
JPA requirements, and bylaws.
III. Amendment. This Agreement may be supplemented, amended, or modified only by the mutual
agreement of CaIMHSA and the Participant, expressed in writing and signed by an authorized
representative of both parties.
IV. Withdrawal, Cancellation,and Termination
A. Participant may withdraw from the Program and terminate the Agreement upon three
(3)months'written notice to CalMHSA,to the attention of the Executive Director. Notice
shall be deemed served on the date of mailing.
B. CaIMHSA may terminate, cancel, change, or limit the Program due to circumstances,
including but not limited to, lack of County participation,government restrictions, issues
with vendors or their services/platforms/products, lack of funding, governmental
funding changes, inability to provide the Program due to vendor(s), regulatory changes,
force majeure, or other issues.
C. Funds used to pay for completed deliverables, services rendered, upfront fees, fees to
create the Program, or fees for any portal or platform, ongoing services etc. are not
subject to cost adjustment,after-completion review, restrictions or reversion (subject to
applicable laws).
V. Fiscal Provisions. The total funding amount for the fixed fee Services selected by Participant as
indicated in Table 2, below shall not exceed $41,300.
CalMHSA will invoice Participant directly upon execution of this Agreement for the Services selected by
Participant. Payment for all Services shall be made within 30 days of receipt of CaIMHSA's invoice.
Payments pursuant to this fixed price,delivery-based Services contract are not subject to cost adjustment,
after-completion review, reversal or restrictions.
Table 2:
Program Cost Number of PIPS Participant Selection (Mark X to Select)
Offering
EQRO Audit
Support $41,300 N/A x
Performance
Improvement Intentionally Intentionally
Omitted. Omitted.
Projects
TOTAL $41,300
VI. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each party shall hold harmless, defend and
indemnify the other party, including its governing board, employees and agents from and against any and
all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, disallowances, recoupments, and expenses, including but not
limited to reasonable attorney's fees, arising out of or resulting from the indemnifying party's negligence
or willful conduct in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including the performance
of the other's subcontractors, except that each party shall have no obligation to indemnify the other for
damages to the extent resulting from the negligence or willful misconduct of any indemnitee. Each party
may participate in the defense of any such claim without relieving the other of any obligation hereunder.
VII. No Responsibility for Mental Health Services. CaIMHSA is not undertaking responsibility for
assessments, creation of case or treatment plans, providing or arranging services, and/or selecting,
contracting with, or supervising providers (collectively, "mental health services"). Participant will defend
and indemnify CalMHSA for any claim, demand, disallowance, suit, or damages arising from Participant's
acts or omissions in connection with the provision of mental health services.
Vill. Legal Disclaimer.CalMHSA is not providing legal advice in any capacity through and/or related to the
Program. Any information, advice, consultation, etc. provided by CalMHSA related to the Program is not
intended as legal advice and should not be construed or relied upon as such. Participant acknowledges
and agrees that it is the sole responsibility of Participant to seek independent legal advice as needed.