Hospital Cancels Medi-Cal Contract for Inpatient Services
Eden Medical Center on Thursday announced that effective Oct. 28 it will end its contract with the California Medical Assistance Commission to provide in-patient services to Medi-Cal recipients, the East Bay Business Times reports. Medi-Cal is the state's Medicaid program.
The decision will affect both of Eden's campuses, in Castro Valley and San Leandro (East Bay Business Times, 10/27).
George Bischalaney, CEO of Eden, said that last year the hospitals were paid between $5 million and $6 million less than the cost for in-patient services covered under Medi-Cal. The gap in funding prompted the hospital to terminate the contract.
Fewer than 2% of patients will be affected by the decision. It will not apply to Medi-Cal patients seeking emergency care, labor or delivery services, or psychiatric care (Vesely, Contra Costa Times, 10/28).
Hospital officials said a patient still could apply to CMAC to authorize treatment done at Eden, however it is doubtful that requests would be granted.
Patients can go to facilities that still contract with CMAC, including:
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley and Oakland;
- St. Rose Hospital in Hayward; and
- Washington Hospital in Fremont (East Bay Business Times, 10/27).