SUBJECT
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Approve the first amendment to the contract with Lakeland Regional Health Systems, Inc. and Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Lakeland Regional Health for uncompensated inpatient psychiatric services. (Not to exceed $2,000,000 annually).
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DESCRIPTION
Lakeland Regional Health provides inpatient psychiatric services within the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness, located on the main campus of Lakeland Regional Medical Center; and, is one of two Polk County hospital systems that operates a receiving facility that provides critical services to Polk’s most medically vulnerable residents.
As the national, state, and local health care systems continue to struggle with health care provider shortages, recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges with an increase in demand in mental health and substance use/abuse providers. And, as the fastest growing county in the state and one of the highest in the nation, Polk’s population growth has further exacerbated the already constrained local behavioral health system.
Financial support for uncompensated inpatient psychiatric services is provided to qualified low-income Polk County residents of which an agreed upon fee schedule has been established.
The current contract is set to term September 30, 2024. This first amendment is to continue funding and extend the contract term to September 30, 2026.
This funding request was presented to and is recommended for approval by the Citizen’s HealthCare Oversight Committee (COC).
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the first amendment to the contract with Lakeland Regional Health Systems, Inc. and Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Lakeland Regional Health for inpatient psychiatric services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted as part of the proposed FY 24/25 budget in the Indigent Health Care Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joy Johnson, Administrator, Health and Human Services Division at 863-534-5204