Subject:
Title
Low Income Pool Letter of Agreement with the State of Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration on behalf of Morton Plant North Bay, a BayCare Health System, Inc. hospital.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the State of Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) to support BayCare Health System, Inc. (BayCare) through the Low Income Pool (LIP) program
● This LOA details the arrangements for the County to provide an intergovernmental transfer (IGT) to AHCA to increase the provision of health services for charity care to hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) through the LIP program.
● BayCare recently reconsidered LIP participation for the current program year and requested Pinellas County support through an amendment to their Human Services funding agreement.
● Funding in an amount not to exceed $2,109,000.00 has been identified within the Human Services Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Budget to support hospital charity care funding through LIP. This IGT will result in a net return of approximately $10,171,104.00 to BayCare for charity care services.
● Per Resolution 17-70, the County may initiate IGTs up to the amount of appropriated funds budgeted to Human Services and identified by Human Services as appropriate for LIP and similar programs to expand health services for low-income and charitable care.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need.
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
This LOA details the arrangements for the County to provide an IGT to AHCA to increase the provision of health services for charity care to hospitals and FQHC through the LIP program. As a result of the County’s participation and support additional funding will be available to the named organizations through LIP to aid in providing services within the community.
Background/Explanation:
Pinellas County continues to seek opportunities to assist local healthcare partners in maximizing revenues while serving our most needy citizens. LIP funding allows local governments to increase certain Medicaid hospital and other healthcare provider payments by providing the required State Medicaid Assistance Percentage (SMAP) through IGTs. The source of SMAP must be locally generated tax dollars.
On September 26, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopted a resolution delegating authority to the County Administrator to approve and execute necessary agreements with the state and local partners to initiate IGTs as appropriate for LIP.
Per Resolution 17-70, the County may initiate IGTs up to the amount of appropriated funds budgeted to Human Services and identified by Human Services as appropriate for LIP and similar programs to expand health services for low-income and charitable care.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount not to exceed $2,109,000.00 has been identified within the Human Services Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Budget for this LOA. This IGT will result in a net return of approximately $10,171,104.00 to BayCare for charity care services.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign these Agreements is granted pursuant to Resolution 17-70.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
AHCA
CHC
HCH Co-Applicant Board
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Morton Plant North Bay LOA