News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The legislature’s plan to help hospitals cover some of their uncompensated care expenses will help Cookeville Regional.
Chief Financial Officer Tommye Rena Wells said CRMC provides about some $30 million annually in uncompensated health care across the Upper Cumberland. She said with increased personnel and supply costs, every hospital is carefully watching its budget numbers right now.
“It’s been very tough for everyone,” Wells said. “Everyone is facing a lot of issues, especially with access and maintaining access and keeping the doors open. And this assistance, we hope that they can find a way to make this assistance permanent and long standing so that it can help facilities across the state of Tennessee.”
Wells said the state has not defined how the $110 million will be distributed. The state recently did a distribtion of money related to the COVID pandemic. Wells said that was based upon the hospital’s annual report. She said she expects a similar type approach.
Uncompensated care is defined as services a hospital provides for which no payment was received from the patient or insurer. In 2020, the American Hospitals Associated estimated the total outlay nationwide at some $42.6 billion.
Wells said the CRMC team is appreciative of the legislature for making some money available.
“We do have a lot of uncompensated care and anything we can do to help with access and our services, we’re always excited to do that,” Interim CEO Buffy Key said.
