County reimburses CTMC for indigent care

Hays County is paying Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) $1.5 million to help pay for indigent care provided at the hospital and the Live Oak Community Clinic. The county commissioners approved the payment at their meeting Tuesday morning.

“During the last 12 months, CTMC had 70,000 visits, either through their outpatient, ER or clinic,” said Anthony Stahl, president and CEO of CTMC. 

Stahl said that for the clinic, “This is probably the best year ever.”

Between January and August, he said, the clinic saw 5,661 patients.

“That’s between 35 to 40 a day,” he said.

Moreover, Stahl said, the clinic’s immunization drive in August drew in 760 people.

“That’s success,” he said.

Every day, Stahl said, the hospital spends about $50,000 on uncompensated care — amounting to about $18 million a year.

“This program that we work on with the court makes a huge difference,” he said.

The county budgets funds each year to use for payments to CTMC associated with indigent health care provided at the hospital and through the indigent program at the Live Oak clinic. 

In other business, the commissioners approved a renewal service agreement witH Granicus, which provides software and hardware support for live streaming services for the commissioners court. 

The commissioners also authorized a change order to an agreement between Hays County and Brown and Gay Engineers for work on the Rattler Road shared use path. The change, which calls for an additional $6,059, accommodates the relocation of utilities and an inspection by an Americans with Disabilities Act-qualified specialist. 

“I believe this is the last that needs to be done on this project,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said. The project had an original budget of $50,000.