Since last year, local urgent care facilities have taken advantage of a federal program that gives local hospitals extra money for services they provide to low-income patients with Medicaid insurance.
In some cases, these additional payments help hospitals avoid deficits and allow them to purchase more prescription drugs and medical supplies. But states must first license them to operate as local acute care hospitals.
Florida Sen. Cory Simon (R-Tallahassee) said he's ready to help there.
Phil Sears/Associated Press
/
FR170567 AP
“We will ensure that hospitals in rural and underserved areas remain open and access to health care continues through the new REH Medicare enhanced reimbursement rate,” Simon told the state Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday. That's the goal,” he explained.
Simon's bill (SB-644) would require a facility to be considered a rural facility to have 100 or fewer beds and be located in an area with a population of no more than 100 people per square mile. It is being
Mary Mayhew is president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. She told WFSU on Friday that while her organization supports the bill, health care workers must understand the risks involved.
“The idea was to give rural hospitals another option in case they find themselves under financial pressure,” Mayhew said.
In exchange for higher Medicaid reimbursements, designated rural hospitals would have to waive inpatient services. This means hospitals must find alternative reimbursement programs when treating patients with life-threatening conditions or performing surgeries that may subsequently require extensive treatment.
“Patients cannot stay for more than 24 hours. Medicare provides additional enhanced reimbursement for hospitals that cooperate with rural acute hospital status. Therefore, the answer for all rural hospitals is No. This is just one option that hospitals may want to consider.”
The bill also includes several educational benefits. Simon's package includes a state-run loan program to help Florida nursing students pay their tuition and licensing fees.
