KIMBALL – Kimball County Hospital operated at a loss of $366,341 for year 2008. This compared to a loss of $1,433 for the previous year.

Finances were a big part of the discussion at the Jan. 26 Board of Trustees meeting of Kimball Health Services. CEO Julie Schnell reported that patient encounters and revenue were generally down. The number of radiology and lab tests is also down in 2008.

She said, ‘It’s hard to know what one reason is responsible for the decrease in volume. Several things could be the cause.”

She said some people were simply putting off treatment in the slower economy. Others waited longer to be seen and so were in a more serious condition when they presented at the hospital. These patients are then usually transferred elsewhere for specialized treatment.

Board Chairperson Carla Goranson said the number of patients brought to the hospital by ambulance from auto accidents is also down.

The dollar amount of Uncollectible Receivables is up 39 percent over the previous year. This is believed caused by many people switching to a higher deductible on their health insurance and then being unable to deal with their portion of the bill.

Another reflection of harder economic times is the slight increase in ER visits in last half of 2008 compared to last half 2007. The ER is used in lieu of “a visit to the doctor.”

Physical therapy remains a bright spot in the revenue picture, showing only a six percent decrease over previous last half year.

Board member Max Revel said, “I think Julie is doing an excellent job with the items she can control in the current economy.”

Schnell said she would be meeting with employees to explain some cost control programs. Revel urged her to be “compassionate and fair.”

Progress was reported on the Electronic Medical Records project. A payment in the range of $400,000 is expected from Medicare within 60 days.

Revel asked if the contractor who handles Medicare payments for the government was withholding payment until the last minute and using the float time to their own financial advantage. David Griffith will investigate.

Griffith is the “shared” member of Regional West’s staff who handles KHS financial accounts.The board went into executive session to consider a personnel matter and to consider the CEO’s performance appraisal.

On emerging from the executive session, the board agreed with the favorable performance evaluation of CEO Schnell.

Revel recommended a merit pay increase for Schnell, Schnell said she appreciated the evaluation but turned down the merit raise, saying that she would not accept it in the current economic picture.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be Feb. 23.