SUBJECT
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Approve the second amendment to the contract with Winter Haven Hospital, Inc. for uncompensated inpatient psychiatric services. (Not to exceed $2,000,000 annually).
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DESCRIPTION
Winter Haven Hospital provides inpatient psychiatric services within the Winter Haven Hospital Center for Psychiatry, located on the main campus of Winter Haven Hospital (the Hospital); 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. Patients admitted to the facility for services have access to counseling, behavioral health and supervision, crisis support, and acute detox while hospitalized.
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.
This financial support for uncompensated inpatient psychiatric services is made available through the existing strategic spend down plan for surplus indigent health care funds presented this year at the annual Board retreat.
The funding compensates Winter Haven Hospital based on an agreed upon fee schedule for serving qualified low-income Polk County residents.
The contract was initially set to term September 30, 2024. The first amendment increased annual funding and extended the contract term to September 30, 2026. This second amendment is to continue funding and extend the contract term to September 30, 2027. Additionally, this amendment amends contract language that currently restricts eligibility to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The income threshold will align with the Florida Statutes and the newly amended County Ordinance and subsequent Resolution.
This funding request was presented to and is recommended for approval by the Citizen’s HealthCare Oversight Committee (COC).
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the second amendment to the contract with Winter Haven Hospital, Inc. for uncompensated inpatient psychiatric services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available in the Indigent Health Care Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joy Johnson, Administrator, Health and Human Services Division at 863-534-5204
Holly Vida, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Health and Human Services, 863-519-1005