Health Plan Requirements for Specified COVID-19 Essential Services Contracts Effective May 13, 2020 - With limited exceptions, City contractors that enter into a COVID-19 essential services contract for food service, delivery of food, janitorial services, or cleaning services must offer their covered employees and covered employees’ dependents health plan benefits that meet the minimum standards prepared by the Health Director.  Covered employees are employees that work for 2 hours or more per week on the essential services contract within San Francisco.

These requirements apply to COVID-19 essential services contracts first advertised, selected, or initiated after May 13, 2020.

To read the full Mayoral Directive, click here.  For more information, call (415) 554-7903 or email HCAO@sfgov.org.
 

• New!  Effective July 1, 2020, the HCAO fee rate increases to $5.60 per hour, capped at $224.00 per week.

• The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) has released HCAO Minimum Standards for 2020-2021. DPH reviews the Minimum Standards at least once every two years to ensure that they stay current with the state and federal regulations and existing health benefits practices. 
•   Email list! Sign up to receive periodic email updates about the Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) and the Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO).

Overview

The Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) applies to most City contractors and tenants (including those at the San Francisco International Airport and the Port of San Francisco). The HCAO requires employers to offer health plan benefits to their covered employees, to make payments to the City for use by the Department of Public Health, or, under limited circumstances, to make payments directly to their covered employees.

Effective July 1, 2020, covered employers who make payments to San Francisco General Hospital to satisfy the requirements of the HCAO must pay $5.60 per hour, capped at $224.00 per work week. This rate is adjusted for inflation annually on July 1.

• Understanding the HCAO Video

If you have questions about the San Francisco Health Care Accountability Ordinance or wish to report a violation of the law, call 415-554-7903 or email hcao@sfgov.org.

Statutory Authority

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the Health Care Accountability Ordinance in 2001.

• Health Care Accountability Ordinance, SF Admin Code, Chapter 12Q

• Regulations Implementing the HCAO (PDF)

For Employers

• HCAO Minimum Standards and Gudiance 2020-2021
   
• HCAO Minimum Standards 2019  Effective 1/1/2019 - 12/31/2019
   
• HCAO Employee Notice (PDFs) - Must be displayed at each workplace.
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• HCAO Employee Know Your Rights - Employers must maintain copies signed by employees.
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• HCAO Voluntary Waiver Form
  English  Spanish  Chinese  Filipino
   
• HCAO Payment Option Form FY20-21
   
• HCAO Subcontractor Information Form - This form must be filled out by the Prime Contractor, who is responsible for the Subcontractor's compliance.
   
• Complete MCO/HCAO resource packets for download​

• MCO/HCAO Packet for City Contractors
• MCO/HCAO Packet for SFO Contractors
• MCO/HCAO Packer for SFO Concessions and Leases
   

HCAO Minimum Standards Webinar - Go to OLSE's Trainings & Webinars webpage to view the September 19, 2018 webinar on the HCAO Minimum Standards and to download the webinar's presentation.
 

• Historical Documents
  • Previous Minimum Standards for Health Plan Benefits
  • HCAO Fee Option Rates Over Time (since 2001)

For Employees

• Employee Complaint Form (PDFs)
  English  Spanish  Chinese  Russian  Vietnamese  Filipino

For City Departments

• HCAO Contractor Compliance Declaration Word  PDF
• List of Exemptions for the HCAO (PDF)

The following forms may be found on the City's Intranet:

• MCO Form P-360 Exemption & Waiver
• HCAO Form P-365 Exemption & Waiver

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