Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has proposed a budget amendment that would allocate $4.3 million in state funds to enhance behavioral health services at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence.
The funding would come alongside asking CMS for a new Medicaid reimbursement rate structure that would support a 21-bed long-term care behavioral health inpatient unit at the hospital, serving higher-acuity patients with complex needs. If approved, the funding would be leveraged with federal matching funds totaling approximately $5.7 million.
The expanded behavioral unit would be able to accept patients from community hospitals who require longer-term hospitalization, enhancing the state’s continuum of care and freeing up beds at other hospitals for short-term acute care.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.