Fact Sheets - Florida

SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN FLORIDA

In school year 1999/2000, Florida reported 80 school-based health centers, an increase of 16 in the previous two years. The centers are supported by nearly $1.4 million in state general funds, $100,000 in Title V funds, and at least $10,000 from tobacco settlement monies. In some areas of the state, hospitals and local tax dollars also play a major role in supporting school-based health centers. Florida reports that the greatest portion of centers (42%) serve high school students.
Descriptive Data

SBHCs with primary care providers Types of schools housing SBHCs Location of SBHCs


State Policies
Table I: Third Party Payments for SBHC Services
SBHCs are eligible for services under fee-for-service Medicaid Yes
SBHCs are eligible for services under fee-for-service SCHIP Yes
State specifically prohibits SBHCs from billing Medicaid No
State requires through law, managed care contracts or regulations that Medicaid managed care provider networks include SBHCs No
State encourages through law, managed care contracts or regulations that Medicaid managed care provider networks include SBHCs Yes
State prohibits SBHCs from being paid for care provided to Medicaid managed care beneficiaries No
State requires through law, managed care contracts or regulations that SCHIP managed care provider networks include SBHCs No
State requires through law, managed care contracts or regulations that SCHIP managed care provider networks include SBHCs Yes


Table II: Programs and Policies that Support SBHCs
Is there a program unit that is responsible for providing technical assistance to communities interested in SBHCs? Yes
Does this office administer a grant program that supports SBHCs?* Yes
Does the state have targeting guidelines for state-funded SBHCs? Yes
Has the state established operating standards for SBHCs? ** Yes
Are SBHCs licensed by state health licensing authority? No

*Criteria used to determine where SBHCs will be located:
1. Number/percent children uninsured
2. Number/percent low-income children
3. Other barriers to care, e.g. transportation
**Operating standards in Florida are required

Table III: SBHCs and Managed Care Experience
Do any SBHCs in the state have contracts with managed care plans? Yes
Do any SBHCs participate in commercial plans? No
Does state law permit nurse practitioners to participate in managed care provider networks as primary care providers? Yes

 

Table IV: SBHCs and Community Support
Has the state health department or education agency sponsored polls or organized focus groups to identify public interest and concerns regarding SBHCs? Yes
Has the state agency been asked to provide information on how to start, operate or fund a SBHC? Yes
Has the agency been contacted by persons who were worried about the opening of SBHCs in their community? No
Has the agency been contacted by persons opposed to the opening of SBHCs in the state? No
Do SBHCs assess parent and/or student satisfaction with their services? Yes



State Funds for SBHCs for School Year 1999/2000

Title V MCH Block Grant
(state directed dollars)		 $92,939
State General Fund $1,385,000
Tobacco Settlement Dollars $10,000
Total $1,487,939


Source: National Survey of School-Based Health Centers 2000,
Making the Grade

Contact Information:

Sylvia Byrd
Florida Department of HRS
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 37399-0700
Phone: 850/488/2838
Fax: 850/410/1304

Cheryl Holder, MD
President, Florida Association
of School-Based Health Centers, and
Medical Director
North Dade Health Center
16555 NW 25th Avenue
Miami, FL 33054
Phone: 305/621/8888
Fax: 305/624/5298
Email: ndhc@bellsouth.net

Related Links:

Florida Department of Health
http://www.doh.state.fl.us