Brown County Commissioners held a discussion with officials from Brownwood Regional Medical Center during Monday morning’s commissioners court meeting in order to iron out a plan to offset indigent care and to recoup some of the hospital’s losses in caring for the indigent.

Currently, the hospital charges Brown County at Medicaid rates for indigent care (at approximately 17% of the cost of care) and the county pays the hospital directly.  BRMC’s CEO Chip Camp and Eric Weatherford outlined a new plan for the county to pay the state for the care which would make those funds eligible for federal matching funds.

In the past, according to Camp, a state program has been in place which makes up the majority of the losses BRMC has incurred with providing indigent care.  Because of state cutbacks, the program no longer exists and hospitals across the state are working to find other ways to fund care for these patients.  Camp explained that for every dollar the state pays for indigent care, the federal government will match it with $1.39.

Camp explained that it is legal for third parties to wire funding to the state for indigent care that can be matched.   Because of this, BRMC made a proposal to the county which in exchange for the county making contributions to the state for indigent care, BRMC will not bill the county directly for indigent care.  In the new plan, the amount of the county’s contribution will be increased by 139% through federal funding which will be paid to BRMC for indigent care.  For example, the $247,000 in indigent care paid by the county to BRMC in 2012 would be paid to the state instead, allowing the state to file for federal funds of 139% which would be paid to BRMC.  This results in the funding growing from $247,000 to $590,330.  According to Camp, this still leaves BRMC with a loss for actual cost of patient care.

“Currently hospitals receive 17% on the dollar for Medicaid funding.  Even after state funding and federal matching, hospitals are still short on actual cost,” said Camp.  “Every hospital loses money on Medicaid and Medicare.  Through inter-governmental agreements, this cost is shifted.”

County Commissioners Court Administrative Assistant Amy Hamrick stated that the county will be facing an increased cost of indigent care due to a new payment schedule, which could almost double the rates to the county.  Camp also verified this increase in rates that will be required.  Because of this, the county stands to save money through the inter-governmental agreement with BRMC, resulting in benefits for both parties through the agreement, officials said.

No action was taken on this issue, but officials said that they will move forward with the new plan since it is an administrative change in paying the funds.

In other nonrelated matters on the agenda:

*Commissioners agreed a burn ban was not necessary for the county at this time and would continue to address the matter on a weekly basis at future meetings of the court.

*Brown County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bobby Duvall received approval of the court to promote Deputy Nathan Land to detective in CID, in order to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Detective Jason Benefield who recently moved out of state.