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Council approves Huntsman Mental Health contract to continue non‑Medicaid behavioral health services; county, HMHI to review costs quarterly
Summary
The council approved a contract with Huntsman Mental Health Institute to continue non‑Medicaid behavioral health services for Summit County. HMHI and county staff said the county’s annual contribution will be monitored quarterly; HMHI representatives described an $800,000 yearly overlay and staff also discussed broader system costs previously cited at about $1.2 million.
The Summit County Council voted to approve a behavioral health services contract with Huntsman Mental Health Institute on Dec. 4 to maintain community behavioral health services that had been previously provided under a different contracting structure.
County staff said the renegotiation arose after HMHI reported it was losing money under the prior flow of funds (HMHI contracted through an intermediary, Healthy You). Council remarks noted earlier estimates of about $1.2 million for the service, and HMHI representatives described a county overlay amount of roughly $800,000 a year that would be paid in monthly installments and reviewed quarterly.
Michelle Pace of HMHI told the council the institute expects the funding structure and monitoring process will allow continued services for Medicaid‑ineligible patients and permit quarterly review of expenditures and reimbursements. "This will just allow us to reach more and more individuals, commercially insured and Medicaid insured and unfunded, and continue to increase the quality of our services," she said.
Council members praised the work of staff and community partners in stabilizing the system and required quarterly check‑ins and an annual true‑up clause so the county can revisit funding if costs materially change. Several members noted that an in‑house service option had been explored but would have been costlier.
The motion to approve the HMHI contract passed by voice vote after a council motion and second.
Next steps: HMHI and county staff will meet quarterly to evaluate reimbursements and program expenses; the council may revisit funding if a shortfall emerges.
