By carefully monitoring expenses and keeping a close eye on the number of medical tests ordered, the staff at AdventistHealthCare is prepared to weather the effects of the federal shutdown.
Dr. Patsy McNeil, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Adventist HealthCare, spoke with MCM Tuesday. Whenever there is a government shutdown, it takes longer for hospitals and doctors to be reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid. That could result in a cash flow backup for medical centers if the shutdown lasts awhile, she said.
Patients shouldn’t notice much of a difference. They will not be turned away, especially those needing acute care, she said. However, if they wait too long to see a medical professional because they can’t afford the expense or have lost their insurance. Their issues could worsen and result in the need for more treatment, she noted.
When asked about vaccination rates, Dr. McNeil said that her hospital, like so many other medical facilities, has experienced a decline. She called it vaccination fatigue and urged everyone to get a flu shot and be properly vaccinated.
