| Steve Whited, CEO of Minnie Hamilton Health System has issued a statement regrading WV's Critical Access Hospitals:
I would like to thank everyone who has contacted their congressional delegations concerning the recent issues surrounding the Provider Tax Reimbursement issues. I want to clarify that this is not currently affecting Minnie Hamilton Health System or the other 17 CAH's in WV, but could if the determination is to go back and apply this ruling to previous years.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is saying that the provider tax has been an allowable (reimbursable by Medicare/Medicaid) expense for CAH's for many years, but now the possibility is that these providers could be forced to return past years amount if the tax expense is disallowed.
The public should be aware of these issues, but should not be alarmed that Minnie Hamilton Health System or the other CAH's will be closing their doors.
We want to express to the federal government that this would be an unfair practice, and that it could be financially draining to the CAH's if CMS goes back several years and applies this ruling.
Each year Minnie Hamilton Health System pays approximately $200,000 to the State of WV for the provider tax, hence that is the amount of impact that would be felt if the present method is changed.
I still want to encourage everyone to contact their congressional leaders, but we will work through whatever the outcome, and will continue to be here and serve our community.
The WV Hospital Association and several CAH's members are meeting with Congressional leaders now in Washington, DC.
Please contact me if you would like further clarification or an update on the situation.
Steve Whited, CEO Minnie Hamilton Health System
See WV'S CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS FACING $5.5 MILLION LOSS - Minnie Hamilton Hit By Change
CRITICAL TIMES FACING MINNIE HAMILTON HEALTH SYSTEM - Changes Could Be Devastating For Community
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