Manatee Rural Health CEO Explains the Model at Tiger Bay

BRADENTON – Most Manatee County residents have heard of Rural Health Services, but if asked what the company specifically did, few would have an answer. At this month's Tiger Bay luncheon, keynote speaker Mickey Presha educated attendees on the business model of the large not-for-profit health care provider.

"I'd like to ask you for a moment to just close your eyes," requested Presha of the crowd, "and just envision what you think Manatee Rural Health Services is." When the presentation was over, the retired Army Colonel asked that they repeat the exercise and note what had changed. The informative presentation made it difficult not to reconsider your preconception.

Manatee Rural Health Services is part of a growing number of 501(c) 3 health care service providers that are emerging and growing to fill gaps in the system that would otherwise prevent millions more Americans from having access to health care. From ER diversion, where such companies set up clinics to receive patients who've gone to an ER for non-emergency treatment, to specialized care like vision and dentistry, such companies have become a major auxiliary to the hospital/primary care practice model.

Some of the surprising statistics revealed in the presentation included the amount of federal funding that is not present in Rural Health's budget. This year, which includes one-time federal stimulus funds, federal funding is 12 percent, said Presha. The number will fall back down to around 7 percent when those funds expire, comprised mostly of competitive federal grants.

Such independence from federal money was not always the case. When Presha took over, he said the numbers were almost flipped, with around 90 percent of the company's budget coming from federal tax dollars. The company leverages those federal funds at 301 percent, more than double the national average for community health care centers, according to Presha.

Rural Health's 77 physicians span the entire spectrum of medicine – podiatrists, surgeons, dentists, even a gastroenterologist, among others. Their services include over 400,000 patient visits annually, with more than half of their patients living below the poverty line. Perhaps most surprising, Manatee Rural Health Services delivers 2 out of 3 babies in Manatee County.

Their 4-site ER diversion program sees more than 65,000 patients annually, who would otherwise be treated in a much more costly ER setting, saving taxpayers an estimated $18 million. Presha says that dentistry is an area where there is one of the greatest public needs and applauded LECOM's forthcoming College of Dentistry, which he says he is eager to explore opportunities for working partnerships with.

"A great deal of medical problems can be attributed to a lack of dental care," said Presha, "from ear and sinus infections to a weak immune system and even heart conditions."  

In an age of skyrocketing health care costs amid reduced funding, Presha acknowledged the challenges his industry faces, but detailed measures to continue to improve electronic record keeping and streamline other services to continue to become more efficient is such times. By the time the 20 minute presentation was over, it was indeed very difficult to imagine a Manatee County without Rural Health Services.

In true form, when County Commissioner Carol Whitmore stood up during the question and answer forum and called on all of the many health care providers present to help staff the area's "One Stop" project, serving homeless and destitute citizens, Presha immediately pledged Rural Health's doctors as a contribution, further demonstrating the company's commitment to serving those in our community who need it most.