News Details

Bartow, Fla. (Nov. 22, 2022) — The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved more than $4 million in funding for primary care, dental services and behavioral health services for Indigent Healthcare Services at today’s board meeting.

Two contracts with Central Florida Health Care, Inc., were approved:

1. To provide primary care services to eligible low-income county residents (total amount not to exceed $2 million annually).
2. To provide dental services to eligible low-income county residents (total amount not to exceed $1.5 million annually).

Additionally, the board approved the second amendment to the contract with Winter Haven Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Center for Behavioral Health, to provide behavioral health services (total amount not to exceed $1,022,625 annually).

Polk County’s Indigent Healthcare Services administers a local healthcare safety net program that is funded by a one-half cent sales surtax. This safety net – which helps underinsured and uninsured Polk County residents access healthcare – is critical. Nearly 37% of Polk County residents use Medicare/Medicaid and 11.5 percent have no insurance (per the 2020 census).

Primary care, dental services and behavioral health services are available for full-time Polk County residents who are uninsured or underinsured with an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. For more information, contact Indigent Health Services at 863-533-1111 or visit https://www.polk-county.net/indigent-health-care.