Title
Adopt a Resolution amending Article I.d. of the Monterey County Master Fee Resolution effective July 1, 2020, 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, 2020, 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 (FQHC) clinics that are required, by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to periodically review its fee schedule to ensure that it accurately reflects costs of services rendered and that fees are consistent with local prevailing rates or charges. In compliance with the requirements, Clinic Services has been reviewing and adjusting its fee schedules annually. Proposed fees for FY20-21 contains average 7.105% increase from those of FY19-20.
Additionally, Clinic Services is mandated by HRSA to offer Sliding Fee Discount Program (SFDP) for patients whose income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
In FY19-20, Clinic Services has continued to set SFDP fees at the same level as in FY18-19 to $0, $40, $70, $105 and $130, respectively for those who were eligible if a patient's income is at 100% or below, under 120%, under 133%, under 185% and at 200% or below of the FPL, to ensure that increased SFDP fees be affordable and do not add a negative effect on patient visits. Data indicates average number of visits per year per patient was increased from 1.34 in FY18-19 to 1.37 in FY19-20 for patients with FPL between 101% and 200% and the number of patients utilized SFDP increased from 3,663 to 4,454 patients. There might be many other factors contributing to this ...
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