CMS Rejects Hospital Funding System
The Department of Health Services last week informed Fresno County officials that the county's $18 million payment to Community Medical Centers was rejected by CMS, the Fresno Bee reports. The county's payment was intended to help the private, not-for-profit hospital chain qualify for an additional $17 million in state and federal funds.
John Zelezny, senior vice president and spokesperson for Community Medical Centers, said the hospital system has not received a formal notice that the payment has been disallowed. He said the county informed Community that CMS has raised "technical questions or concerns."
DHS spokesperson Lea Brooks said CMS made a final decision to disallow payment. The state since last summer has worked with federal officials to resolve the repayment issue after CMS notified the state that the payment was "problematic and would be considered for disallowance."
The state is working to "determine the amount and process of repayment," according to Brooks.
Zelezny said Community potentially could appeal or clarify information to the satisfaction of the federal government (Correa, Fresno Bee, 1/24).