The Greene County Medical Center Board of Trustees met on Thursday for their regular monthly session.

The medical center experienced the highest volumes for the fiscal year in January for acute care and the second highest volumes for skilled care and surgery departments in January.  Conversely, Long-Term Care and speech therapy had their lowest volumes for the month.

Chief Financial Officer Mark VanderLinden discussed the mid-fiscal year changes in Medicare reimbursement rates.  Part B rates had a slight decline from 60 percent to 59 percent; Part A acute care rates increased from $3,482 to $3,806; and Part A skilled care rates dropped from $2,173 to $2,072.

Next was the report of the operating financials.  For the month of January, the operating revenues were $1,852,299 which was more than the budgeted $1,733,297.  Expenses were $1,930,200 which was slightly below the budgeted amount of $2,049,691.  However, the hospital saw a positive bottom line with a net gain of $63,547.  VanderLinden said this was due to the high volumes in January.  The year-to-date operating results were $12,365,245 for revenue and $13,944,388 for expenses.  Revenues were slightly above what was budgeted while expenses were slightly under.  Overall, the hospital is operating at a loss of $588,798.  VanderLinden said the reason for the loss is due mainly to the reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates.

The Board approved the medical center’s request to increase its poverty level for individuals to receive a percentage in helping to pay for medical care costs.  The level went from the 150th percentile to 175th percentile.  This will help the hospital to include more individuals to divert to its charity case coverage.

Chief Executive Officer Carl Behne commended the leadership team for having a positive report from the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA).  The medical center undergoes a survey every five years from the DIA to measure how the hospital’s been doing in a variety of areas.  To prepare for the survey, UnityPoint provides a mock survey team which Behne noted was a huge help for them to get ready for the actual survey.

Behne then gave an update on the building expansion project.  He said fireproofing and the roof is finished.  Windows on the south side are expected to be installed next week and masonry work is two weeks away from being completed.  The anticipated opening date is July 15th.