April 21, 2011
The Central Health Board of Managers approved an expansion to its contract with Lone Star Circle of Care (LSCC) to provide additional primary care services. The amount of the increase is $1,682,495, resulting in funding totaling $3,029,995 for the entire fiscal year.
The expanded contract is the result of continued enrollment in Central Health’s Medical Assistance Program (MAP), a health benefits program for Travis County residents at or below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG), and subsequent increase in demand for the services offered by LSCC. From February of 2010 until January of 2011, the number of MAP enrollees provided care each month by LSCC increased from 430 to 957.
Central Health and Lone Star Circle of Care entered into contract to provide primary care for MAP enrollees in early 2009. It was amended later that same year to include eligible patients up to 200 percent of the FPIG. Lone Star Circle of Care operates one health center in Travis County and two in Williamson County, although anyone receiving services or funding through Central Health must be a resident of Travis County.
The Board of Managers also approved an additional $500,000 to help fund upgrades to the ICare, the regional Health Information Exchange system managed by the Integrated Care Collaboration (ICC), for which Central Health serves as a governing member. Central Health is one of a number of organizations which supports and uses the system, which according to ICC is a “community health record” designed to more efficiently and accurately manage patient information. More information can be found at icc-centex.org.
