New York State will also benefitfrom this legislation.
Senator Robach said, “Highland Hospital performs a vital mission in our community. They need to receive proper payment for the services they provide so they can reinvest and continue providing high quality health care services to our community. We are urging the Governor to sign the legislation.”
Specifically, the legislation (S.6168/A.9065) would amend state law to allow hospitals that meet the eligibility requirements for a Medicaid rate adjustment due to a high number of Medicaid discharges to correct previously submitted institutional cost report data schedules to the New York State Health Department. This data would more accurately reflect actual health care needs in their community and make them eligible for a New York State Budget Restoration Pool that was enacted as part of this year’s state budget to provide aid to Upstate hospitals based on Medicaid utilization. Highland Hospital supports an overall Medicaid discharge rate of 20%, yet as a result of patients whose Medicaid status had not been determined at the time of discharge, the original report submitted by our institution did not reflect this.
“We are very grateful to Senator Joe Robach and Assemblymember Susan John for their hard work and consistent support for Highland Hospital. This legislation will make Highland eligible to get appropriately reimbursed for the quality care and services we provided to the community. It will also accurately reflect our future health care needs as we strive to provide the best care to our patients and our community” said Steven I. Goldstein, President & CEO of Highland Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital.
For 118 years, Highland Hospital has provided innovative, high-quality patient care for the Rochester community. Today, Highland is a 261-licensed acute care facility, known for its comprehensive women’s services, nationally ranked geriatrics program, the Evarts Joint Center for orthopaedics, regional leading gastric bypass program and extensive network of primary care physicians.
