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About Us
Since 1983, The Medical Services Initiative
Program (MSI) has been a County funded Safety Net Program
responsible for the provision of medical care to Orange County's
medically indigent adults previously covered by Medi-Cal.
MSI contracts with a variety of private entities for the provision of medical care to eligible persons. These contracts include hospital, transportation, skilled nursing, pharmaceutical, durable medical equipment, case management and administrative services. Contracts are also in place for a variety of outpatient services including laboratory, imaging, urgent care, and surgery centers. Contract payment provisions also cover physician, dental, and community clinic services.
The program covers medical care for Orange
County residents ages 21 through 64 years who have limited or no
other financial resources for medical care. The scope of services
is limited to those services that protect life, and/or prevent
significant and permanent impairment in health status and/or
function. Financial eligibility is based on Medi-Cal criteria,
with an income cap at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. MSI also
requires proof of residency and US citizenship, and offers covered
services for a twelve-month period at a time.
The Medical Services Initiative Division of
the Health Care Agency acts as the payer and administrator to
hospitals, clinics, physicians, ambulance companies, home health
and other providers that serve indigent persons.
In addition to MSI, the Division also
administers separate, non-mandated indigent medical services
programs countywide. These Programs include; (1) The California
Healthcare for Indigents Program (CHIP) is funded through surtax
on cigarettes and tobacco products. CHIP provides funding to
hospitals, physicians, and community clinics based on
uncompensated care provided to individuals not eligible for MSI or
any other government-funded program. (2) The Emergency Medical
Services Fund (EMSF) receives funds from surtax on cigarettes and
tobacco products but is primarily funded through penalty
assessments on penal code violations. The EMSF provides
compensation to physicians and trauma hospitals for emergency room
services when no other source of payment, public or private, is
available.
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