Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH) could receive approximately $840,000 from a federal Employee Retention Credit claim related to the COVID-19 pandemic, GWCH CEO Sandra Dickerson told the Board of Trustees during its Aug. 27 meeting.
The hospital has filed a claim seeking approximately $1.4 million through the Employee Retention Credit, a refundable tax credit available to qualifying businesses and tax-exempt organizations that retained employees during the pandemic.
Dickerson said a tax law firm reviewed the hospital’s documentation and determined it qualified for the credit. The firm is handling the claim on a contingency basis and would receive 40% of any successful recovery, leaving the hospital with an estimated $840,000.
The process could take up to a year to complete, she said.
The hospital was also informed it was not selected for a Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant related to Community Health Workers and the Food Is Medicine program. Dickerson said KDHE received 91 applications and awarded seven grants.
The hospital continues to await a decision on another grant application for emerging technology.
GWCH has partnered with Vytlize, an accountable care organization, to work with the hospital’s clinic beginning Oct. 1. The organization will pull patient data from the hospital’s system and report it to Medicare. Dickerson said the arrangement will allow the clinic to participate in Medicare incentives tied to reporting and improving patient outcomes. Dickerson noted that Vytlize reviewed the hospital’s records and determined the organization could receive at least $100,000 annually through the program. With improved outcomes, that amount could increase to as much as $300,000 annually. The accountable care organization will receive a fee for submitting the data and pass the remaining incentive payment to the hospital.
The hospital is also searching for a replacement for Jennifer Eagleson, APRN, with first-round interviews completed and a second-round interview scheduled with one candidate. It is hoped to have a replacement in place within 60 to 75 days, although credentialing and insurance enrollment requirements could extend the process.
The board approved the reappointments of Christin Weller, MD, for pathology consulting; Nancy McKenzie, PA, and Michael Moore, APRN, as allied health providers.
Hospital officials updated trustees on several pieces of federal legislation that could affect the hospital.
One measure, the SUSTAIN 340B Act, would end rebate models and prohibit restrictions on contract pharmacies for 340B entities. Dickerson said the legislation is unlikely to pass during the current year but could be considered during the next legislative session.
The board also heard about proposed federal price transparency legislation. Dickerson said the Senate version could create additional administrative burdens for hospitals because it could require hospitals to provide patients with an upfront out-ofpocket price that would become the locked-in price for a service. Concerns were noted about how this could create problems if additional services become necessary during a procedure or treatment.
The board also discussed proposed changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services involving remote patient monitoring and chronic care management. The proposed changes would limit the number of billing codes for the services and reduce reimbursement rates, according to the CEO report. The proposal also could limit which providers may furnish the services. Dickerson said they are submitting comments to CMS opposing the changes, arguing the services benefit patients and that CMS data does not support claims of widespread fraud and abuse associated with the programs.
The board discussed mammography utilization and the hospital’s goal of performing about 200 mammograms annually. Mammography previously was included in the hospital’s overall radiology numbers. The hospital currently can provide screening mammograms but not diagnostic mammograms. It was stated that the mammography technician is being trained to provide diagnostic services. It was shared that GWCH saw a decline in mammography services being offered as the service was available every other month.
Trustees approved the hospital’s corporate compliance plan as presented.
The board also reviewed several hospital policies, including those addressing 96-hour length of stay, cellular phone confidentiality, contract vendor passes, grievances, mammography standard operating procedures, supervision of clinical services and tuition reimbursement. The cellular phone confidentiality policy will be revised and brought back to the board for consideration.
The board approved the July 23 meeting minutes, July treasurer’s report and July disbursements, with payroll and benefits totaling $846,050.70 and accounts payable totaling $1,396,865.97.
Trustee Dee Elliott was absent.
The board also held two executive sessions during the meeting. A five-minute session regarding risk management included staff and resulted in no action. A separate five-minute executive session involving the board, Dickerson and Janel Palmer addressed personnel performance and also resulted in no action.
Director of Nursing Sonjia Lemons reported one patient safety event in July and a slight increase in agency staffing, including two night shifts. The medical staff met Aug. 18, when Deina Rockhill presented data on the hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation program. They discussed possible changes to the cardiac rehabilitation regulations. It was shared that this would allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to supervise the program rather than requiring physician supervision. Hospital officials said such a change would better reflect the staffing structure of many hospitals.
The next GWCH Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m.
