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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 28, 2008 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 February 28, 2008 Dr. Van Horn commented that the Board considers this during annual review. There was no further discussion. E. Research Policy Review The Board had previously considered input to the staff in the formulation of a research policy that would govern and protect client privacy and would guard against participating in research that might disrupt patient/client services. The policy has been revised several times and was reviewed at the meeting for input to the staff on needed changes. This policy is part of the overall Administrative Policy Manual for the department. Dr. Carey commented on Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and funding. NIH changed the process several years ago because the IRB was overburdened approving protocols that never received funding. It can take three or longer months to get IRB approval. The NIH requested that no approvals should be requested before funding is approved. He also requested the CCP committee inform BOH of research requests to enable any BOH input. He stated that where we will get solicited for support is if an investigator is looking for external funding which would help the health department as well as investigator. There should be a statement that no research actually commences until we have the funding but this should be flexible to allow letters of support for research proposals. Jessica Lee suggested the word “university” in Procedure 5.1.2 be struck from the policy, as other organizations have independent IRBs. F. Uncollected Debt Write Off The Board was provided with a summary listing of delinquent client accounts for Dental Health, Personal Health and Health Promotion Services. These accounts have had an outstanding balance in which at least 12 months have elapsed since the last payment on a client’s account. Upon Board approval this write-off of delinquent client accounts, the Health Department staff will work the IT staff to ensure that the accounts receivable system indicates the recording of the bill as uncollectible. The client will never be informed that a debt has been written off. If a client returns to the clinic after their accounts had been determined uncollectible, the delinquent write- off amount will be reactivated and the billing process resumed. Tim Carey asked about tracking of fees, debts and unpaid balances. Tracking of ratios of insurance coverage, written off debts and unpaid balances, may increase the charity care total. Matt Vizithum requested clarification on the status of returning clients that have been written off. He asked if the patients pay any percentage of their outstanding balance