WARREN, Ohio – Although Insight Health Systems has received the certification to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services at its two Trumbull County hospitals, Commissioner Rick Hernandez said a lot of questions remain.
Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull in Warren and Insight Rehabilitation Hospital Hillside in Howland closed March 27. At that time, Insight blamed the temporary pause in services on the inability to handle its own Medicare and Medicaid billing because Steward Health Care System had retained control of billing through its bankruptcy process.
While Insight was providing services, Steward and Golden Sun TSA Services LLC, the company Steward put in charge of collecting medical payments, was reportedly keeping the money received. A press release in early March from Insight indicated Steward had “prevented millions in revenues from reaching the local hospitals.”
The ability to bill means Insight could be a step closer to reopening both hospitals, but Hernandez said Friday that questions remain unanswered.
More than 940 people, including members of several unions, lost their jobs at the two hospitals, and Hernandez questioned how many remain unemployed or in the area. Insight reportedly has been in contact with union leadership, according to Hernandez.
Additionally, Hernandez said billing Medicare and Medicaid and private insurance companies doesn’t mean immediate payment. He questioned if Insight has deep enough pockets to maintain payroll for a 90-day window, bring back equipment and supplies to the hospital and pay its bills until payments start to stabilize. He said he has heard Insight was able to get only $200,000 through Steward’s bankruptcy.
“We want to see [the hospitals] reopen,” Hernandez said. “But we don’t want a situation where [they] go in and three months later go out. What is it long term? … These hospitals are going to be long-termers and not just go in and find out they can’t make it and go through this whole debacle all over again.”
According to its website, Insight operates medical facilities in Chicago, Ill., and both Dearborn and Coldwater, Mich., as well as the two facilities in Trumbull County.
Hernandez said attorneys for the hospital alerted him of the news and are hoping for the support of the commissioners. He said he remains “cautiously optimistic” and hopes Insight or another entity can reopen the hospitals.
Hernandez said he hopes elected officials are able to get some answers at an upcoming work session meeting with Insight leadership. Originally slated for July 22, the meeting has been rescheduled for Aug. 5 to accommodate Insight CEO Jawad Shah’s schedule. Warren officials, as well as congressional and state representatives have been invited to the meeting.
Hernandez said he hopes they can all get some answers.
Pictured at top: Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull in Warren.