Stimulus Money Getting Complicated As A Shared Medicare Provider Number Considers 2 Separate Hospital Entities as One - Florida

They are in fact 2 separate facilities but perhaps a change in definition is something to consider and now a US Representative is asking for the federal government to change the definition. With being considered as one facility, the amount of stimulus money will be less.

Perhaps there could be others across the country who might also fall into this same situation? It means the difference between getting 30 million or 40 million in funds in the year 2013. They are using the medical records software from Epic and is partially in place, but need money to complete and upgrade and allow physicians to connect from their private offices.

CMS is the ultimate decision here on the interpretation and clarification, or do they go about a complicated process of getting 2 Medicare Provider numbers? I’m sure we may hear more as time goes on with stimulus funds too, as it is complicated. BD

Lee Memorial Health System could lose $10 million in federal stimulus money for its conversion to electronic medical records over the definition of one word — hospital.

The system is spending $70 million to make the switch, expected to be completed by 2013. Up to $40 million in federal funds is available to the system to defray those costs.

But because of a technicality, Lee Memorial Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center share a Medicare provider number. So, in the eyes of the government, they are one hospital and due less money.

The medical campuses are about 10 miles apart.

System officials, hospital groups and lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, are lobbying the federal government to change its definition.