SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider adoption of an Assessment Resolution setting the rate of collection and approval of the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for the 2024 Local Provider Participation Fund special assessment, and authorizing the County Manager to execute Letters of Agreement with the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. (no fiscal impact)
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DESCRIPTION
On May 3, 2022, the Board adopted Ordinance 2022-029 establishing the Polk County Local Provider Participation Fund. Pursuant to such ordinance (as subsequently amended by Ord. 2024-028), the Board may annually adopt an Assessment Resolution setting the Assessment amounts that in the aggregate will generate sufficient revenue to fund the non-federal share of payments associated with Local Services (defined as health care services to Medicaid, indigent and uninsured members of the Polk County community) to be funded by the Assessment.
There are six area hospitals located in Polk County (all private, non-profit organizations): Winter Haven Hospital and Bartow Regional Medical Center (both operated by BayCare), Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center and Lake Wales Hospital (both operated by AdventHealth), Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Lakeland, and Lakeland Regional Health. These hospitals provide medical care annually to indigent and uninsured residents and those who qualify for Medicaid. On average, Medicaid covers only 60% of the costs of the health care services actually provided by area hospitals. The State of Florida received federal authority to establish the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Hospital directed payment program to offset the hospitals' uncompensated Medicaid costs. The State of Florida also received federal authority to continue the Low Income Pool Program, ensuring continued government support for health care safety net providers to offset uncompensated charity care for uninsured low-income individuals. These programs use InterGovernmen...
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