It’s been another struggling month to get the new health center open in Hilmar and to keep a balance between revenue and encounters. We have managed to get through the tough times but it remains a challenge and we need to get rolling on improving our productivity and revenue streams very quickly to keep things in order.
The Federal Torts Claim Acts deeming process has been successful. The deeming process allows us to provide malpractice insurance to our providers at no cost to them or the health center. It’s a very important part of our application to the Federal Government. Our Director of Planning and Development has been acting as the project lead: making sure to collect and integrate information provided by Senior Management. We have received notice that we have, in fact, been re-deemed for another year.
One of the areas we have been exploring is expanding our program for discount prescription drugs for our patients in Hilmar and in Livingston. The program is called 340b and we have been looking at another provider of services. That is an ongoing process and I will report more on the topic in the future.
We had our Halloween celebration this year, and as the leader of the organization I felt it was important to participate, so I came as Popeye. We had a lot of fun, a good turnout for our potluck and many of our employees participated. A good time was had by all. A couple of the board members did drop by to have lunch with us and say hello, which is always appreciated by the staff.
Our medi-cal reimbursements have been dropping a bit; the State is changing around again on the way they pay us. We are starting to feel that squeeze; also because of our ability in trying to get Hilmar opened. Our visits have dropped a little bit in Livingston as we train for practice management and as we staff for Hilmar. Again, it’s a priority item on all of our plates to make sure that we continuously watch and find ways to improve our financial status.
