Tuesday, December 28, 2010
ARH Files Lawsuit
WEST VIRGINIA....
Appalachian Regional Healthcare has filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Health and Human Resources, making good on a threat made in November. Appalachian Regional claims Medicaid payments are inadequate, and, officials had filed a notice of intent that, if DHHR didn't adjust its rates to treat low-income and disabled residents at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, they would be forced to seek relief. Beckley ARH CEO Rocco Massey says, during 2009, Beckley ARH provided nearly $15 million in services to Medicaid patients, but was only paid about $10 million while the low rates threated the hospital's finances. Numbers from the hospital indicate about 22% of the patients treated at Beckley ARH are Medicaid beneficiaries. For every dollar spent on their care, Massey estimates the hospital loses about 33 cents.
Appalachian Regional Healthcare has filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Health and Human Resources, making good on a threat made in November. Appalachian Regional claims Medicaid payments are inadequate, and, officials had filed a notice of intent that, if DHHR didn't adjust its rates to treat low-income and disabled residents at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, they would be forced to seek relief. Beckley ARH CEO Rocco Massey says, during 2009, Beckley ARH provided nearly $15 million in services to Medicaid patients, but was only paid about $10 million while the low rates threated the hospital's finances. Numbers from the hospital indicate about 22% of the patients treated at Beckley ARH are Medicaid beneficiaries. For every dollar spent on their care, Massey estimates the hospital loses about 33 cents.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 11:05 PM 
