Elbert Memorial Receives Critical Access Designation

By David Stephens, WSGC Radio, Elberton

After a string of negative news regarding Elbert Memorial Hospital’s financial situation, focus shifts to some positive news regarding the hospital.

Elbert Memorial, as of July 9th, has been approved for a Medicare Sole Community Hospital designation.

That approve comes after a consultant, funded and provided for by AnMed Health, stated that Elbert Memorial would not have qualified for a Critical Access Hospital Designation.

Elbert Memorial CEO Jim Yarborough explains what the new designation could possibly hold for the hospital.

“Its really difficult to put our finger on what that really means, other than we know it means a much better payment for Medicare services”, said Yarborough. “We don’t know exactly what percentage or how many dollars, but the anticipation is that could be several hundred thousand dollars more. Hopefully, after it goes into effect, we can go in and take a better look about what the impact is going to be.”

Prior to July 9th, Elbert Memorial designated as a Prospective Payment hospital.

The new classification will fully go into effect next month on August 9th.

That is when, according to Yarborough, that the new rates on Medicare payments will start being received.

During Tuesday’s hospital authority meeting, Yarborough expressed his gratitude to AnMed Health for helping Elbert Memorial achieve the new designation.