Title
Adopt a Resolution amending Article I.d. of the Monterey County Master Fee Resolution effective July 1, 2015, to adjust certain fees related to the Health Department's Clinic Services Bureau pursuant to the attached Fee Schedule.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a Resolution amending Article I.d. of the Monterey County Master Fee Resolution effective July 1, 2015, to adjust certain fees related to the Health Department's Clinic Services Bureau pursuant to the attached Fee Schedule.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Health Department's Clinic Services Bureau (Clinic Services) operates Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC-LA) clinics that are required, by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to periodically review its fee schedule to ensure that it accurately reflects the costs of services provided and that fees are consistent with local prevailing rates or charges. In addition, effective July 2015, a new Medicare PPS methodology will require Clinic Services to bill Medicare Part B for FQHC services; with some adjustments, Medicare will pay FQHC clinics a national encounter-based rate per beneficiary per day.
The Board previously approved the Health Department's recommendations to amend specific fees and charges applicable to FQHC clinics on April 23, 2014. Recently, Clinic Services updated its schedule to be in synchronization with Medicare's FQHC PPS rules and the Policy Information Notice set by HRSA on Sliding Fee Discount and Related Billing and Collections Program Requirements. Fees for most services have been increased by average 18.1%.
To prevent the increase in fees being a barrier to patients accessing primary care services, a revised flat fee sliding scale method with larger discount levels has been drafted for eligible patients. The cost per visit will be ranged from $0 to $118 if a patient's income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). FQH...
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