1. What is Changing with Our School Nursing Services?
Laurel County Schools has entered into a one-year agreement with Access Health to manage our school health services. This partnership aims to expand the level of healthcare available to students (many of whom have very limited access to healthcare) and staff, while continuing to provide the high-quality nursing services our district already provides.
2. Does Access Health Provide Nursing Services to Other School Districts?
Yes. Access Health currently serves the Knox, Whitley, and Corbin Independent School districts. Those districts report a successful partnership and high parent satisfaction
3. Will Our Current School Nurses Be Leaving?
We know how much our students love their school nurses. That’s why a core part of this agreement is ensuring our 15 current nurses can stay in their current positions, at their current schools, and with the same pay, if they choose. Access Health has offered employment to all 15 of our current Laurel County Schools nurses.
Nurses may remain at their current schools.
They will work the same schedule (e.g., 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM) and follow the same school calendar (off on weekends, breaks, and summers).
They will receive the same salary they are currently paid.
4. Will there Be Better Coverage for Our Schools?
Yes. Access Health will expand coverage by adding dedicated nurses to the Center for Innovation (CFI) and, potentially, to Laurel County Day Treatment. They will also employ three float/substitute nurses to ensure consistent coverage and continuity of care. These expanded services ensure ALL students have access to medical care at school, removing barriers for families who may struggle to provide healthcare to their child or who have difficulty seeking outside healthcare due to work schedules or transportation.
5. What if My Child Has A Chronic Health Condition (Diabetes, Asthma, ADHD)?
Access Health nurses will continue to provide services to students with chronic healthcare needs, such as daily medications for ADHD, diabetes, and asthma, and will assist with any services included in a student’s IEP. These services will not require telehealth, which means there will be NO change from the current model.
6. Will I be Billed if My Child Requires Daily Medication?
No. Nurses will continue to administer daily medication with NO charge to families.
7. What is "Telehealth," and How Does it Benefit My Child?
Access Health will provide three Nurse Practitioners (NPs) dedicated solely to Laurel County Schools.
Like a Doctor’s Visit: Through a video link at the school nurse’s office, students can see a Nurse Practitioner for the same services usually provided at a clinic.
Families will NEVER receive a bill for health services provided at school, and co-pays will NEVER be collected.
Parental Consent Required: Telehealth services are only provided if a parent has signed a consent form. It is entirely optional. As with the current school nursing model, your child will never be treated if you do consent to treatment.
8. Will I be Charged for Telehealth Services?
No Co-Pays: Access Health will NEVER ask for a copay, nor will they bill parents for co-pays for telehealth visits.
Insurance: Access Health will bill Medicaid or private insurance for the visit, but the family will NEVER be billed for any remaining balance or co-pay.
Chronic Care: Standard services (medication for ADHD, diabetes, asthma, IEP requirements) are NOT billed and do not require a telehealth visit.
9. How Does this Benefit School Employees?
Staff members can utilize telehealth visits. Additionally, Access Health offers acute health services to all Laurel County Public Schools employees and their families at its clinics in Corbin and Barbourville, with NO co-pays collected.
10. Why Now?
We love our school nurses! Laurel County has provided nurses at every school for many years, when other school districts did not. We want to continue that commitment, with expanded services for students and staff. Our goal is NOT to replace our nursing staff, but rather to better equip them with more tools to assist students and families. The district did not solicit bids for a health service provider, as this was not a bidable service; Access Health submitted a proposal to the district outlining ways to expand services for our students and staff.
11. How Does this Benefit Taxpayers and Students?
Our partnership with Access Health will save taxpayers nearly 1 million dollars annually from the General Fund. By reducing General Fund expenditures, we can reinvest those taxpayer dollars directly into other student services and resources while simultaneously expanding access to essential healthcare for our students.