By Tim Alsobrooks
Paris, Tenn.- At Thursday night’s Henry County Medical Center Board of Trustee’s meeting, Information Technology Director Pam Ridley reviewed the Compliance Report’s annual update which said HCMC had no issues. She explained that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services is the federal agency with oversight on not only Medicare and Medicaid but also for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Ridley said about 19% of the Federal Budget or over $800M is spent on these programs each year. The programs cover about 1 in 4 Americans. In 2016, the Tennessee Assistant District Attorney Offices recovered over $180M in fraud from abuse activity.
The office of inspector General and Department of Justice provides oversight for healthcare organizations. Ridley reported HCMC had no issues or reports in the recently completed 2018 compliance review. She said many security measures have been put in place over the last several years. With internal checks, internet security, and other security measures it has helped stay in line with compliance reports.
During her administrative comments Thursday night CEO of Henry County Medical Center Lisa Casteel told of another rural hospital that closed recently. Fentress County’s Jamestown Regional Medical Center recently closed and the community’s nearest hospital now is in Crossville, which is about 45 minutes away. The one that closed was an 85-bed hospital. Several have closed in the last five years across the state and region.
Casteel reported on the balance scorecard which showed 3 straight months of a positive bottom line and 6 of 11 months had positive numbers.
Casteel said the medical center is currently recruiting in cardiology, pediatrics, OB/GYN, General Surgery, and Psychiatry. There have been discussions with a Pediatrician and OB/GYN coming to the area.
In other action Thursday night, the board of trustees approved write-offs in the amount of over $818,000. The total number of accounts was 660 with an average amount of over $1200 apiece.
The board also approved $166,000 for capital project purchases for the month. The big item was fetal monitor for the women’s center. Another purchase for $50,000 was for security upgrades at the Healthcare Center.
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