SUBJECT
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Approve the second 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.
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 Lakeland Regional Health 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 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 and now states eligibility will align with the Florida Statutes and our County Ordinance as amended.
This funding request was presented to and is recommended for approval by the Citizen’s HealthCare Oversight Com...
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