County Medicare outlook improves

At their April 26 meeting in LaBelle, county commissioners received an update on their Healthy Hendry Health Coaching Program (HHHCP), a pilot project that engages with Medicaid patients at area facilities including Hendry Regional, Florida Community Health Center and others.

The HHHCP program is designed to decrease inappropriate Emergency Room, increase primary care doctor visits and improve outcomes.

Some examples of high expense situations in Medicare include prenatal care for low birth weight babies and obesity.

A report to the National Association of Counties on Hendry's pilot program results states that, at 33.89 percent, Hendry has the most Medicare eligible enrollees per capita -13,704 of 37,895 eligible residents -the highest per capita in the state. The issue is exacerbated by Hendry County having one of the lowest Taxable Values over Just Value in the state.

The report also states:

"The Health Coach team identifies and addresses all obstacles to a patient receiving or participating in a Health Coach Plan. An analysis of potential barriers can include issues such as language or literacy; lack-of or limited-access-to reliable transportation; a patient's lack of understanding of a condition; a patient's lack of motivation; financial or insurance issues; cultural or spiritual beliefs; visual or hearing impairment; and psychological impairment."

Program officials told the commissioners that, since June 2015, there have been some 6,000 Medicare patients in Hendry's pilot program; 450 of them -the sickest patients -represent 65 percent of the costs.

The program includes assistance to Medicare patients on health care decisions which, in turn, should result in better patient health and lower costs.

Hendry County receives 40 percent of the savings HHHCP accrues.

The board learned that the project promotes primary care as opposed to patients utilizing emergency care visits for regular care. The project has seen a reduction in emergency room by 29 percent. Similarly, the program has seen a 60 percent increase in primary care visits, which are by far less expensive and also help more people better maintain their health.

Program results June 2015 ? December 2015

-55 percent reduction in Emergency Room visits

-83 percent reduction of Inpatient visits -70 percent increase in Primary Care visits

-53 percent patient cost reduction

The intent is to take the results to the Department of Health in Tallahassee to expand this successful program statewide.

The commissioners approved Hendry County Tourist Development Council's new logo and brand positioning to be used in advertising, marketing and promotion. Evok Advertising, which developed the logos, "helped identify what differentiates Hendry County from other Florida destinations." There are four variations of the logo: the main logo for the county and different colored similar logos, one targeted toward each area of the county (LaBelle, Clewiston and Big Cypress).

In their presentation, Evok advertising company representatives showed how the new logo and branding can attract visits by active families through showing the county's authentic nature, community and nature, agri tourism, water, rustic, hospitality as the "True Heart of southern Florida." They also pointed out that this area needs to distinguish itself from the popular "South Florida" brand to its true nature of "southern Florida."

The new logo will be used along with the county website and videos to tie the county's tourism advertising together and help the county evolve into a "day-cation" destination.

The board unanimously approved the new logos and branding.