Cumberland County OKs 15-month coverage for nonresidents in maternal and child health clinics

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted to revise the county public health billing manual to allow limited continued care for out-of-county patients who begin services in the county's maternal and child health clinics.

Dr. Green, presenting for the health department, told commissioners the change is intended to preserve continuity of care when patients move across county lines or are referred to the department from other county-funded programs. "We always set our fees at least, at the minimum at the Medicaid rate," Dr. Green said, describing the department's billing approach and the mix of payer sources the clinics receive.

The board approval lets three categories of nonresidents receive up to 15 months of coverage in the maternal and child health clinics: patients who were Cumberland County residents when they began services; patients referred to the clinics from another Cumberland County department clinic (for example, WIC or immunizations); and children in the Cumberland County foster care system while under…