Title
Evaluation of Sliding Fee Discount Schedules - School-Based Health Center (SBHC) - Riley
Body
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) requires all FQHCs to evaluate their sliding fee scales at least once every three years. The evaluation should look at whether the discount schedule and charged fees are appropriate for the client population.
Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHD/CHC) staff specifically looked at the SBHC discount schedule. The collection rate was looked at as a means of evaluation. There is no market search data available for any other local providers for SBHCs. No patient is turned away from LCHD/CHC based on inability to pay so a higher collection rate suggests that the fee is more affordable for our patients.
The attached table shows that collection rates have increased slightly from FY19. The majority of the 2020 and 2021 data is not comparable to 2019 due to COVID-19. Our fee policy was temporarily modified to give patients 90 days post pandemic to apply for a reduced fee.
When the SBHC opened, the Governing Council elected to implement a separate sliding fee discount schedule specific to the site to reflect the fact that most of those patients are students. LCHD/CHC staff is recommending no changes.
Suggested Motion
To approve the recommendation of staff that no changes be made to the existing sliding fee discount schedule for the School-Based Health Center.