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BRMC discontinues in-patient chemical dependency program
Posted On 02 Mar 2011
After about 15 years in operation, Baptist Regional Medical Center announced this week that it has discontinued its in-patient chemical dependency program, citing financial "non-viability" as one of the main reasons for the move.
As of Feb. 21, the 15-bed Chemical Dependency Program stopped taking new patients. It closed officially Sunday.
Hospital officials say the additional beds will be used for psychiatric patients at the BRMC Trillium Center.
"That’s a part of our service that was just not ever profitable. If you got it to break even, it was good," said John Henson, President and CEO of BRMC. "We are trying to serve our population, and it is a service that is needed. But if you can’t pay the bills based on what you are reimbursed, what do you do?"
Henson said private insurance companies and state health care programs continually lessened the amount reimbursed for long-term chemical dependency treatment. Initially, a full-course for the program was 25 days. But because of dwindling insurance support, patients were only able to stay in the program for a couple of days in recent years.
"Everything had basically switched to being outpatient. That’s basically what it had become due to the dwindling reimbursement from insurance companies," Henson said. "We were probably one of the last few in-patient units available. We would get referrals from all over the state."
In a press released issued Monday, Debbie Hardin, Coordinator of Marketing at the hospital, said BRMC "remains committed to combating chemical dependency and will continued to provide outpatient chemical dependency services through its Chemical Dependency Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment program, and inpatient chemical dependency treatment as needed for patients admitted with a primary psychiatric diagnoses."
Though it is a "mixed bag," Henson said psychiatric services are generally more robustly reimbursed by insurance companies and government coverage.
"We thought about this for a couple of months. Obviously, as a health care provider, you have to decide what you are doing based on need. But need doesn’t always win the day," Henson said. "There is a need for chemical dependency treatment, but we just can’t afford to do it anymore."
Henson said BRMC’s inpatient chemical dependency unit was as successful as any other in the area, and added that the decision was not based on the effectiveness of the program.
No employees lost jobs or were laid off at BRMC because of the decision.
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Levi, I have to give you a heads up for the best comment on this board today!
Those docs get to buy whatever size house they would like because they went to school and busted their butts to make a living unlike you, obviously!
Hey R.R hate to tell you but brmc is a non-profit hospital. They are tax-exempt they do not have to pay taxes. It cost a lot of money to keep it open the hospital writes a lot of money of to bad debt every month. But wait if people would try to pay there bills maybe the hospital might actually make some money so they could afford to keep program like the cd unit open……..
How naieve. It all comes down to the dollar. cancer is the perfect example….. Absolute failure on the part of the medical profession who are in the grasps of the drug industry. All those donations to cure cancer are going to the drug companies…… but why should they cure cancer when it is extremely profitable. There are hundreds of ways to cure cancer inexpensively but think of all the drugs, equipment, clinics, etc. and the profits they make off of cancer. Gone. Look at the greed of banks, wall street, etc. Plus using corn for fuel while millions are starving. $$$$$ controls society. One forgets about the tax code that allows dedections for losses. But the owners of the hospitals don’t look at it that way. Until society starts caring for those less fortunate instead of the almighty dollar nothing will change. Let those druggies fend for themselves, right???????
Yeah, it’s the hospital’s job to take care of the druggies, who through no fault of their own, came down with …wait a second, never mind.
I understand the cost and overhead. But why do doctors and hospital big wigs need a 6 beedroom 5 and a half bath house with indoor pool and 2 two car garages when its a 4 person family
I understand the cost and overhead. But why do doctors and hospital big wigs need a 6 beedroom 5 and a half bath house with indoor pool and 2 two car garages when its a 4 person family
Welcome to the real world of health care. It’s the almighty dollar and the bottom line that are always considered by administrative personnel. Health care facilities have to pay enormous overhead in order to remain viable. Unlike our government that can always operate in deficit, hospitals do not have unlimited funds, any more than you do. It’s sad, but it’s reality.
It’s true that hospitals and doctors are there to help people, but it’s foolish to think they can do it for free. There are huge costs involved in running a hospital, a clinic or becoming a doctor. Nurses, receptionists, janitors, electic companies, etc. do demand to be paid. If insurance payments aren’t enough to cover costs or if the patients coming in have no insurance and insist on free treatment then keeping that part of a hospital open is not only difficult, it is impossible.
It’s true that hospitals and doctors are there to help people, but it’s foolish to think they can do it for free. There are huge costs involved in running a hospital, a clinic or becoming a doctor. Nurses, receptionists, janitors, electic companies, etc. do demand to be paid. If insurance payments aren’t enough to cover costs or if the patients coming in have no insurance and insist on free treatment then keeping that part of a hospital open is not only difficult, it is impossible.
I thought that hospitals and doctors were about helping people not profit margines. So much for that oath. And pam why is it all about the money.
Perhaps you should check out the cost of tylenol at all the other hospitals in the country. They are the same. The reason a hospital has to charge for “every little thing” is that they have to pay for the big things like CT machines and surgical equipment. If you are a inpatient who has medicare, do you remember when your deductible was $600 a year. It is 1,132 now. Medicare has you pay more for a visit and they pay the hospital less each year.
Come on, kathy. You’ve got to admit it’s a little (way) out of control the way they charge for every little thing. If it weren’t for the insurance and overpriced medical industries we’d be in far better shape.
you have to think of the coverage that goes along with administering that dose of tylenol……if by chance the patient decides to bite you along with the meds…..or the cost of keeping that dose of tylenol germ free….like paying an employee to faithfully wash their hands…buying the little cups that are hyperallergenic.to administer that tylenol…the cost of keeping a germ free area to put you in while giving you the meds you need…also giving YOU the germ-x , for i am almost sure YOU did not wash your hands…since you walked in…..i could go on and on….
you have to think of the coverage that goes along with administering that dose of tylenol……if by chance the patient decides to bite you along with the meds…..or the cost of keeping that dose of tylenol germ free….like paying an employee to faithfully wash their hands…buying the little cups that are hyperallergenic.to administer that tylenol…the cost of keeping a germ free area to put you in while giving you the meds you need…also giving YOU the germ-x , for i am almost sure YOU did not wash your hands…since you walked in…..i could go on and on….
Has it occured to BRMC and Henson that one possible reason for reduction of insurance reimbursement maybe that they (BRMC) are over charging for the program in the first place? 10 years ago, 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol cost $8…the same Tylenol you could get a bottle of 100 for the same price at Wal-Mart.