Residents of South Montgomery County will now be able to receive health care through Memorial Hermann Woodlands Hospital.

Tuesday The Montgomery County Hospital District board authorized an agreement to bring MCHD's Health Care Assistance Program into the hospital. The district also has a provider agreement with Conroe Regional Medical Center and recently even added Cleveland and Tomball.

In a statement to MCHD board members, MCHD CEO Allen Johnson said "This is a big move," and that"In the 11 or 12 years since I’ve been here, we’ve not had Memorial Hermann as an option for indigent patients." "This is a major accomplishment, especially for those living in South County."

There are currently 725 indigent patients on MCHD's rolls and growing. The current contract for this is a fee-for-service arrangement drawing from MCHD's funds. Those who worry because they don't qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or other programs should have no fear, as this program has plans available for qualifying individuals who cannot afford other health care services, or do not qualify for other said programs. The applicants must live in Montgomery County, have a monthly income of less than $1,300 a month per person, and have a medical necessity for health care.

"Since (Hurricane) Ike, UTMB hasn’t been able to provide as many services," Johnson said. "Having the resources in the Memorial Hermann system is helpful to us. Memorial Hermann has been very good about doing one-time agreements for specific patients. This gives us the ability to cut administrative burdens."

Source: The Courier of Montgomery County