Okaloosa County BOCC — January 8, 2013 — Bridgeway Message — reading text

What Message Does Bridgeway Center Inc., Want to Convey? 1. How can the Board of County Commissioners strengthen Okaloosa residents to have critical access for psychological healthcare with a Community­based Behavioral Healthcare Organization? Answer: You can strengthen critical access by taking a holistic approach to continue psychological healthcare of outpatient programs. BCI’s Outpatient programs are able to reduce hospitalization by continuing the local match funding for access in order to identify, triage, screen, assess, and give treatment to the un‐insured and Medicaid clients. Crisis Support in BCI’s Outpatient Programs: 1. Crisis Hotline/Rape Crisis Center/ Sexual Trauma Team $79,584 2. Psychiatric Medical Services (Children & Adults) $33,455 3. Outpatient Therapeutic Intervention (Children & Adults) $36,708 4. Case Management (Children & Adults) $67,800 5. Indigent Drug Program $26,496 TOTAL: $244,043 2. What are Bridgeway Center’s credentials as a local non­profit Community­based Behavioral Healthcare Organization? Answer: Bridgeway Center, Inc. is credentialed by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), frequently known as Medicaid, certified by the Florida Council against Sexual Violence as a certified Crisis Hotline/Rape Crisis Center, and BCI is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). 3. Why can’t BCI continue to operate Inpatient Services for psychiatric disabilities and/or the Detoxification Unit? Answer: BCI has been re‐balancing unfunded liabilities for Inpatient Services for over 15 years. The current unfunded liability is $1.4 million to $1.5 million deficit that is re‐ balanced with BCI’s net income and reserves. The reason for not operating the Detoxification Unit is due to the minimum Florida State Statute staffing cost is unrealistic given demand. Cost would be approximately $2,800,000. Our average census was two (2) beds per day. 2/12/2013 4. How many beds does BCI have? Answer: There are 12 mental health beds and there are 4 Detox beds for a total of 16 beds. Our average length of stay (LOS) is 3.25 days. 5. What date will BCI be closing Inpatient Services? Answer: New admissions will cease at 12 midnight on Monday April 29, 2013. Operations for all Inpatient Services will close at 12 midnight on Friday May 3, 2013. 6. Why would BCI not continue to run Emergency Services? Answer: It costs approximately $460,000 to staff this with qualified professionals 24x7x365. 7. What would it take to continue operations of BCI Inpatient Services? Answer: Inpatient Services deficit ranges from approximately $1,400,000 to $1, 500,000 annually. 8. Will you continue to operate the Crisis Hotline/Rape Crisis Center? Answer: Yes, It will be staffed seven (7) days a week eight (8) hours per day. 9. What kind of agreements does a Community Based Healthcare Organization (CBHO) with Inpatient Services need to have with an acute care hospital? Answer: Agreements are in writing according to Florida Statute 394.462 (1) (k) in reference to the Anthony Forgione Act for coordination of patient referrals. This Statute states “Each law enforcement agency shall develop a memorandum of understanding with each receiving facility within the law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction which reflects a single set of protocols for the safe and secure transportation of the person and transfer of custody of the person. These protocols must also address crisis intervention measures.” This includes agreements with all local law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and emergency medical services. The agreement expresses the responsibilities for patient referral, transfer, medical condition clearance, communication, emergency and non‐emergency patient transportation. 10. What will happen if the Board of County Commissioners discontinues all funding? Answer: There will be further access reductions in outpatient program services of approximately 4000 client visits due to lack of “local match” requirements. 2/12/2013