Community stakeholders came together a number of years ago to create an infrastructure to better address the needs of uninsured residents in Seminole County. These stakeholders include the Florida Department of Health in Seminole (FDOH), Seminole County Government, Shepherd’s Hope, hospitals in the county, Federally-Qualified Health Clinics (Orange Blossom and True Health), the Health Council of East Central Florida, and The One Foundation. As a result of this community partnership and collaboration, a medical system of care was developed.

The primary goals of the Medical System of Care is to increase access to care, improve health outcomes, enable access to pharmacy assistance, and ultimately decrease the need for emergency department visits and hospital stays for uninsured residence.

The Medical System of Care increases coordination of medical resources, provides case management services, provides limited vision services and a prescription drug program. The system also leverages free or reduced priced services via a volunteer network of physicians, providers of diagnostic imaging and lab work.

Under the terms of the Medical System of Care (HealthLink) Agreement, $132,000 is provided to the Health Council of East Central Florida for funding the following services:

• Case management service hours which include intake, assessment and eligibility services, developing case plans as needed, assisting in linking customers to needed medical services, maintaining documentation related to activities and conducting follow-up;
• Prescription Assistance Program that includes assisting residents with obtaining free or reduced price prescriptions, referrals, follow-up and working with doctors and pharmacies to ensure availability of prescriptions;
• Project management to include review of processes, tracking numbers served, evaluating outcomes and assessment of medical system needs; and
• Referral and payment vouchers for minor medical procedures (i.e. biopsies, outpatient services not requiring hospitalization) and diagnostic testing or assistance in obtaining the service at a reduced cost or free.

• Assessment and referrals for people interested in assistance for food/meal services, psychological/social wellness referrals, home health care, health related transportation, home repairs, financial management and other services.