With nearly 900 claims still needing to be filed, Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH) CEO Sandra Dickerson shared with GWCH Board of Trustees on Thursday, Jan. 25, that GWCH had entered into an agreement with ARSI Account Recovery Specialists, Inc. to assist with filing the claims. The 861 claims amount to $608,000, which contribute to the hospital showing a net loss of $345,509 at the end of December. CEO Dickerson shared with the board that the delay was due in part to the billing department being short staffed and the hospital being unable to find someone trained for the position. It was shared that the goal is to have staff specifically trained for one of three filings: Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
The majority of the claims needing to be filed are from the lab. As of their meeting, there were 500 claims needing to be processed that totaled $227,000. There were 305 emergency room claims, totaling $168,00 and 66 inpatient claims, totaling $213,000.
The hospital will continue to work to fill the position as ARSI assists with the filing of claims.
In new business, Shannon Sanders, the GWCH Foundation Director and Education and Marketing Coordinator, provided board education. She shared various training that is offered as well as community events that are organized by the foundation and GWCH, including the annual Gala, golf tournament and the community health, wellness and safety fair.
CEO Dickerson updated the board on the chiller. She noted that crews expect for materials to arrive within the next four weeks. The installation should be completed in late April or early May. Dickerson noted that the invoice from Trane for January was $237,500, with the February billing expected to be the same. The amount due in March is expected to be lower.
It was shared that Robert Heiger and Summer Masters, both APRNs, will soon be seeing patients in the ER as they were hired to fill the vacancy. Both will be working six 24-hour shifts a month. Heiger will begin working for GWCH on March 1 and Masters will begin sometime after April 1. CEO Dickerson also noted that a new HIM department full-time director had been hired. Dickerson stated that Robin Fike has extensive experience in HIM including experience as an HIM director. Per regulations, the HIM director should be registered as a health information technician or administrator and Fike is an RHIT.
The annual report from the GWCH Auxiliary was shared with the board of trustees. Dickerson noted that the auxiliary assists with purchases, as they can. It was noted that one of the items purchased by the auxiliary was the monitor in the board room. The previous monitor was not large enough to allow for the sharing of documents. Those wishing to become members or supporting members of the auxiliary are encouraged to do so. For more information on how to join contact auxiliary president, Billie Hanson or Marketing Director Shannon Sanders.
CEO Dickerson also shared that the remodeling of the OR room is almost complete and staff has hopes of moving pulmonary rehab to that area soon. Pulmonary rehab has a waiting list right now and the volume in that area supports having two people working instead of one. Dickerson hopes to expand on this service as space and staffing allows.
During January, two hot water heaters went out, leaving the hospital without hot water for a few days. Staff was able to repair one of them; however, both will need to be replaced as they are both over 20-yearsold. The estimated cost to replace them is around $75,000 (for both).
Dickerson plans to present a proposal to the board from Great Plains Health Alliance, on the use of Cerner for electronic medical records, at their next meeting.
The following appointments and re-appointments were approved: (appointments) Andrey Yusupov, MD, Radiology Consulting; Hsiu Su, MD, Radiology Consulting; and (reappointments) Nikolas Ford, PA, Allied Health (who will continue to serve GWCH on a PRN basis); Justin Richey, MD, Pathology Consulting and Larry Graham, MD, Radiology Consulting.
The board approved the minutes of the Nov. 30 and Dec. 28 meetings, as well as the November and December treasurer’s report and the following disbursements: November- Payroll/ benefits $698,429.76; Accounts payable $558,147.97; December- Payroll/benefits $684,442.96 and Accounts payable $804,295.44.
The board held a 30-minute executive session to discuss property acquisition. After returning to open session, Chair Leslie Spillman noted that the topic would be an ongoing conversation; however, no other details were shared. The GWCH board of trustees held a special meeting on Monday of this week. See related article.
The next regular meeting for the GWCH Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m.
