The awarding of a new grant to Flint Hills Community Health Center has led to the formulation of a new transportation policy.
The policy was approved unanimously during the FHCHC Board of Trustees monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon. The SUDMH grant, which stands for substance use disorder mental health, helps providers explore and become more comfortable with substance use and medication-assisted treatment.
The grant allowed the health center to purchase new vehicles for the center’s case manager to transport patients according to FHCHC CEO Renee Hively. Hively says this is not for all patients, however, but just for those who have no other means of transportation to or from appointments within a 100-mile radius.
Hively says the new policy is an effort to reduce barriers to care as the health center’s previous policy stated they do not provide any transportation. The board approved the policy unanimously.
In other business, the finance committee presented their monthly report. According to the report, the month of June saw a net loss of $45,000 less than the budgeted gain of $20,000. Despite this, the health center was able to sustain a year to date profit of $33,000. Expenses for June came in 17 percent under budget while revenues came in at 25 percent under.
Net patient revenue was 46 percent under budget which health center administration attributes to vacant provider positions. However, cash on hand increased to 65 days compared to 62 days the previous month. Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Ringgold says this is thanks to “prudent expense management” despite under budget revenues.
Additionally, the monthly CQI report and reports from the medical, dental and psychiatry clinics were also presented. Discussions also took place regarding credentialling and the health center succession planning policy.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for August 27 at noon inside the Havenhill Conference room at the health center.
