BAMBERG, S.C.  – Bamberg County Hospital is continuing to see a positive cash flow as the result of the implementation of revenue management and expense control measures, says its chief executive officer.

Bamberg County Hospital CEO Kurt Meyer told Bamberg County Council Monday night that both the hospital and nursing center realized a combined gain of $65,000 in August.

He also attributed the gains to the “rightsizing” implemented at the hospital, which decreased expenses by $150,000.

“Other controllable areas include supplies, and normal daily hospital expenditures are being controlled as well as operational benchmarks that have been instituted at the hospital,” Meyer said. “We collected $50,000 more in the month of August than we did in June. That’s up from $23,000 for the month of July.”

In addition, the hospital is stepping up efforts to collect bad debts, he said.

“We started a more intense review of those outstanding (accounts receivable). So, you may hear from some of your constituents that the hospital ... is calling and asking about an account that may be 150 days old,” Meyer said.

Meyer said the hospital has a financial counselor and can set up payment plans for individuals unable to pay their entire bill at one time, including those with no insurance and Medicaid recipients.

The hospital also has a prescription drug program which can provide individuals with medications at a lower cost. Meyer said health-care costs are ultimately driven down by providing individuals access to medications, which minimizes individuals having “acute episodes” requiring hospitalization.

“That’s been an outstanding program. That was initially started by a grant, and then the hospital ... incurred more of the cost of that,” he said. Council members suggested the county research how the National Association of Counties may be able to financially assist the hospital with that program.

Bamberg County Council gave final third-reading approval, with Councilman Clint Carter opposed, to an ordinance authorizing the county to access $800,000 in general obligations bonds through the state Budget and Control Board. Carter said he was out of town and had not received any information on the matter.

Council Chairman Chris Wilson, who said Carter would be provided the information he sought, said the bond money would be used to “address some of the hospital needs and deficiencies that were noted in the CMS (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services) report, structural and otherwise.”

In other business, council:

* Presented a resolution to Midway resident Ruby Ann Manigault Williams in recognition of her contributions to the community. The retired Bamberg County Hospital employee will turn 100 on Oct. 10.

* Heard Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott report that Denmark Lumber Company, which is occupying the site of the former and now defunct Coastal Lumber Facility, will bring 13 jobs and an approximate investment of $600,000 to the county. She also reported that the Model T’s to Olar Festival will be held Oct. 17-18, with a TV game show program set to film the golf cart races and hot dog eating contest.

* Heard Dobson-Elliott report that bids were awarded for repair work at the courthouse, the Kearse Building and the Hooten-Black House. Branham Roofing Co. of Branchville was awarded the contract for the court house ($33,625) and Kearse Building ($25,050). The Shepherd Company of Ehrhardt was awarded the contract for the Hooten-Black House repairs ($6,274). The administrator said the county budgeted $95,000 for the repair work, noting that the work will cost $26,051 less than that budgeted amount.

* Gave second-reading approval to an ordinance authorizing an amendment to a multi-county park agreement between Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Hampton counties to expand the park to include Horsehead Corp., a world leader in zinc recycling. The company is bringing a $7 million investment and more than 100 jobs to the region.

* Gave second-reading approval to an ordinance to transfer the county-owned Edisto Drive Road in the Holman’s Bridge community to the West Edisto Club. The council approved the transfers, pending the receipt of information, including the road’s specific location and what it would be used for.

* Received as information a letter from the Bamberg Youth Football program thanking the council for its continued support. The program has 11 teams and serves more than 100 children.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesaanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

You must be logged in to comment.