Title
Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (Ordinance S-53086) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to enter into an agreement with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to obtain authorization to operate as a HEAplus Community Partner-Assistor Organization (CP-AO). Additionally, request access to the Health-e-Arizona Plus online system (HEAplus). The agreement contains indemnification, limitation of liability, and limitation of legal redress clauses that would violate Phoenix City Code Section 42-18. Accordingly, this item requests an exception to Phoenix City Code Section 42-18 to authorize inclusion of indemnification, assumption of liability, and limitation of legal redress provisions in the agreement that would otherwise be prohibited. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
This agreement establishes the conditions and requirements that allow the City of Phoenix Human Services Department to operate as a CP-AO and obtain organizational access to HEAplus. This access enables the department to assist clients with applying for, renewing, updating, or screening for public assistance programs. This includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid, and supporting clients in applying for community access programs. The agreement would require the City to indemnify the State of Arizona, agree to limit the State's liability, and agree to resolve disputes via arbitration. These provisions conflict with Phoenix City Code Section 42-18, prompting this request for an exception.
Contract Term
The term of the agreement will run until the agreement is terminated by one of the parties.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.