Cogdell Memorial Hospital Officials Developing ER Plans
By: Snyder Daily News
Updated: April 19, 2012
Cogdell Memorial Hospital officials
are in the process of developing plans for
treatment for those who show up at the
emergency room for non-emergencies.
"We are not denying services to people," said Chief Financial Officer John Everett. "They will be given options. We are not turning anyone away."
Two of those options are to pay upfront or to coordinate care with a primary care physicians.
New Medicare regulations, that go into effect in September, will no longer authorize payments to hospitals for treating non-emergency injuries and illnesses, which would have a significant negative impact on the hospital's operations.
"We have to get paid in all areas to continue our level of operations," Everett said.
In the plans for the hospital renovation is an urgent care facility to be located next to the emergency room so that patients with what are considered non-emergencies can be seen quickly.
The urgent care facility would treat all the cases that are ruled non-emergencies.
Certain medical issues will still be classified as emergencies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including, broken bones, pregnancy issues and concussions.
Other cases that may be classified as emergencies are serious infections and severe pain and discomfort -- called the sixth vital sign by healthcare workers -- with the attending physician making the final judgment.
Things that are not considered emergencies include fevers and non-life threatening flesh wounds.
Dr. Bill Weldon, interim chief executive officer, previously said that physicians will remain the arbiter of what is an emergent illness or injury.
Hospital officials said continuing education will be the key for patients to understand the new way of conducting healthcare under ACA regulations.
"This is not a hospital policy," Everett said. "Congress saw a necessity for change, but we are not arbitrarily instituting these rules.
"It comes from Medicare and private insurance."
"We are not denying services to people," said Chief Financial Officer John Everett. "They will be given options. We are not turning anyone away."
Two of those options are to pay upfront or to coordinate care with a primary care physicians.
New Medicare regulations, that go into effect in September, will no longer authorize payments to hospitals for treating non-emergency injuries and illnesses, which would have a significant negative impact on the hospital's operations.
"We have to get paid in all areas to continue our level of operations," Everett said.
In the plans for the hospital renovation is an urgent care facility to be located next to the emergency room so that patients with what are considered non-emergencies can be seen quickly.
The urgent care facility would treat all the cases that are ruled non-emergencies.
Certain medical issues will still be classified as emergencies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including, broken bones, pregnancy issues and concussions.
Other cases that may be classified as emergencies are serious infections and severe pain and discomfort -- called the sixth vital sign by healthcare workers -- with the attending physician making the final judgment.
Things that are not considered emergencies include fevers and non-life threatening flesh wounds.
Dr. Bill Weldon, interim chief executive officer, previously said that physicians will remain the arbiter of what is an emergent illness or injury.
Hospital officials said continuing education will be the key for patients to understand the new way of conducting healthcare under ACA regulations.
"This is not a hospital policy," Everett said. "Congress saw a necessity for change, but we are not arbitrarily instituting these rules.
"It comes from Medicare and private insurance."
