1. Utah’s Finance System Planning
2007 National OSEP Early Childhood Conference
December 3, 2007

2. Utah’s EI Programs, By County
29 counties
Contracts with 15 provider agencies
Yearly grants based on non Medicaid child count

3. Fiscal Resources

4. Utah’s Recent Experience in Financial Planning
Attended Finance Data Workshop
2 members of state staff
2 members of the ICC Finance Committee
ICC members also coordinators of provider agencies

5. Team Planning at Workshop
Developed an Action Plan with 5 Priorities
Support State Funding Request
Maximize Medicaid Revenue
Investigate Insurance Billing
Conduct an EI Cost Study
Investigate EI Foundation

6. RESULTS: State Funding Request
New players, i.e., Governor, Health Dept. Director, Fiscal Analysts at Gov. Office and Legislature
Providers and parents met with all
Took Legislative Analyst on field visit
Letter writing campaign
Testimony during Legislative Session
Baby Watch received full request of $2,317,900!
35% increase in state allocation

7. RESULTS: Maximize Medicaid Revenue
Conducted Medicaid Survey
Found inconsistent Medicaid billing practices
Found differing provider resources for billing
Developing Data system capacity for eligibility status
Interagency agreement to exchange data with Medicaid agency
Interagency project to develop more specific policies
Will result in capturing at least $100,000 in revenue

8. RESULTS: Investigate Insurance Billing
Gathered information from other states
Collected Utah data on estimated number of children with insurance
Met with State Insurance Division
Analyzed profitability and political climate
Determined not financially beneficial at this time

9. RESULTS: Conduct EI Cost Study
Reviewed other states’ cost studies
Analyzed our own needs
Determined we should first look at Medicaid collections and billing practices

10. RESULTS: Investigate EI Foundation
Legislator proposed “tax on beer”
Not pursued to end of legislative session
May reintroduce?
Other grant possibilities
Researching mechanism within Lead Agency
Evaluating capacity to seek grants and donations

11. Lessons Learned Having a plan is essential
Vehicle for assignments
Keeps you on track
Maintains mechanism for accountability
Strike where iron is hottest
Events may not happen in logical planning order
Consider timing

12. Lessons Learned Involve stakeholders Data system is critical
Follow unanticipated paths
Plan may lead to unanticipated paths, i.e.
Population estimates by EI provider agency
Trade action for “moaning”