Uncompensated Trauma Care Fund Distribution for Rural Facilities FY 2019 - 5046 Tobacco Funds

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Office of EMS & Trauma Systems is pleased to announce the disbursement of available funds from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Comptroller Fund # 5046 to all eligible trauma designated trauma facilities in rural counties in Texas. The calculations were completed utilizing the Uncompensated Trauma Care (UCC) hospital allocation process, and distributions occurred the week of March 23, 2020.  

Background Information:
The Texas Government Code Chapter §403.106 directs DSHS to use funds in the Permanent Fund for Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care to establish programs to provide emergency medical services and trauma care in the state. 
The Texas Administrative Code Rule §157.130 and §157.131 define a rural county as a county with a population of less than 50,000 based on the latest official federal census population figures.

Uncompensated Trauma Care Disbursement Methodology: 
Calculations are made in the following manner: 

• Calendar Year (CY) 2015 uncompensated trauma care charges reported by eligible hospitals on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Uncompensated Trauma Care Fund Application (Hospital Allocation) were used in the funding formula.
• Fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount of funds available was divided equally amongst all eligible applicants.
• The remaining eighty-five percent (85%) was distributed to eligible applicants based on the percentage of uncompensated trauma care a hospital provided in relation to the total uncompensated trauma care provided by all the eligible hospitals that applied.

The calculation spreadsheet indicates disbursementamounts for each trauma designated facility in rural areas:
FY19Final 5046 Disbursement Summary March 2020

Questions:
Please contact the following staff if you have any questions about the uncompensated trauma care funding:

Indra Hernandez
Trauma Systems Specialist
Email: indra.hernandez@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 512-834-6669