DATE:
March 24, 2026
07
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE AMENDMENT TO EXTEND EXISTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ORGANIZATION CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PERFORMANCE CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE (DISTRICT: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department contracts with an administrative services organization (ASO) to provide specialized and technical operational support services that assist with maintaining BHS requirements to function as a specialty behavioral health plan. On August 4, 2015 (4), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized the competitive solicitation of an ASO for these services. Since then, the Board has approved two contract extensions to support new requirements related to implementation of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System, CalAIM, and actions to align with payment reform, among others.
The current ASO contract is with United Behavioral Health (dba Optum) through June 30, 2027, and up to an additional six months, if needed. The contract provides required specialized infrastructure, technical expertise, and dedicated resources that support BHS' foundational and evolving behavioral health plan administrative needs. ASO services include:
* Clinical management services,
* 24/7 Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line,
* Utilization management services,
* Management of the BHS contracted fee-for-service provider network,
* Claims and billing support for in- and out-of-network providers and facilities,
* Management information system support services, and
* Credentialing and Medi-Cal provider enrollment services.
Today's action recommends the Board authorize an extension of the current contract up to June 30, 2030, and up to an additional six months, if needed, to allow operational continuity of the ASO, while concurrent actions advance the transformation of BHS into a standalone ...
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