YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

CEO Paul Taylor is hosting a Q&A with media today at the North National Avenue hospital.Photo courtesy OZARKS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
CEO Paul Taylor is hosting a Q&A with media today at the North National Avenue hospital.

Photo courtesy OZARKS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

McCaskill calls on OCH operations to continue

Posted online
Following a July 18 announcement that Ozarks Community Hospital would close three facilities and lay off 200 employees, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to suspend its termination of the hospital’s Medicare agreement.

In a letter dated July 15 and released to the media yesterday, McCaskill urged CMS Deputy Associate Regional Administrator Gregg Brandush to allow OCH’s operations to continue, pending a final decision on the hospital’s appeal.

“I am writing to ask that as the appeal is being considered, CMS delay the termination of Medicare payments and allow OCH to maintain its current Medicare provider agreements status until a final determination is reached,” McCaskill wrote. “This will allow the community of Springfield to continue to receive the care it needs while CMS reviews OCH’s case.”

A release from McCaskill’s office states because many of OCH’s patients lack medical insurance coverage or are covered by national programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, the hospital would likely close if CMS revokes its status as a Medicare provider.

OCH CEO Paul Taylor this afternoon is slated to host a media Q&A session addressing changes in hospital operations and future goals, as well as issue a warning for other small hospitals.

The news conference is scheduled 2 p.m. in the main conference room at OCH’s business park, 1328 E. Evergreen St., next to the hospital on North National Avenue.

According to a July 18 memo from Taylor to hospital employees, CMS made no allegations of substandard care, rather taking umbrage with the hospital’s low inpatient volumes, which were the result of the hospital choosing to provide primary care to at-risk patients.

He noted while the hospital had not received official notice from CMS that it did not meet the agency’s definition of a hospital, he anticipated receiving that notice this week. OCH officials did not respond by deadline this morning as to whether notice had been received.

As of July 18, the hospital had closed its inpatient services center and also planned to close its surgery and emergency departments July 29. A Facebook post by the hospital stated OCH’s clinics in Springfield, Nixa, Sparta, Rogersville, Marshfield, Mount Vernon and Bolivar, as well as those in Carthage, Noel and Gravette, Ark., are open and facilities are accepting insurance including Medicare and Medicaid.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Open for Business: The Kebab Shack

The Kebab Shack opened; Hitch Goods launched; and The War Zone Springfield moved.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences