[KHTS] – The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health could sign new agreements with more than 100 mental health service providers across to Los Angeles County, superseding the current agreements, thanks to the Medi-Cal coverage expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Child and Family Center, a local nonprofit with locations on Centre Pointe Parkway and Lyons Avenue, contracts with the county to provide mental health services, receiving reimbursement for some services provided.

But that contract could change, pending approval by the county Board of Supervisors. The issue was on the agenda for Tuesday’s board meeting, but was referred back to the DMH by the Department Director Marvin Southard.

The county currently contracts with 134 mental health service providers, with a budget of $960,667,933 for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

The new agreement would add $21,584,000 in additional spending authority for the Department of Mental Health during the 2013-2014 fiscal year to cover additional Medi-Cal patients at the 134 service providers.

As of Jan. 1, 2014, individuals making less than $15,856 per year and families of four making less than $32,499 will be eligible for Medi-Cal, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

All service providers, including the Child and Family Center will be required to accept the changes to their contract, according to the Mental Health Department’s letter to the board.

“By superseding these Legal Entity Agreements with the new DMH Legal Entity Agreement format, each existing Legal Entity Contractor will be contractually obligated to comply with all new and revised provisions to the Legal Entity Agreement, as well as to continue providing essential and accessible mental health services to clients throughout Los Angeles County, including the newly eligible Medicaid Coverage Expansion beneficiaries,” the letter said.

For more information about Medi-Cal eligibility and changes under the Affordable Care Act, click [here].