By SUE CONLEY
Mesa View Regional Hospital is proud to provide quality healthcare services. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and has high satisfaction scores from patients, physicians and employees. Quality healthcare is here. However, some patients with Medicare HMO plans have limited access to that care. We’re working diligently to change that, and we need your help.
Choosing an Insurance Plan: Make Informed Choices
The more informed you are, the better decision you can make when selecting a healthcare plan to fit your needs. For example, when you sign up with a Medicare Advantage program (Medicare HMOs), you limit your access both to local healthcare and to healthcare when you travel. In comparison, traditional Medicare Parts A and B are accepted at any U.S. hospital that receives federal funds. Also, most doctors’ offices accept traditional Medicare.
HMO products are also an issue for the physicians practicing in our community. In urban markets like Las Vegas, Medicare HMOs contract with physician groups who are willing to accept the lower reimbursement because they see such a large volume of patients. In the Moapa Valley, there is not a large enough Medicare population to make this feasible for our physicians. For this reason, the Medicare HMOs will not allow local specialists to be on their panel. Historically, Medicare HMOs have not been successful in rural markets, and Mesquite and the Moapa Valley seems to be no exception.
Yes, it is a financial decision for both parties involved. Resolving this issue has been high on the hospital’s list of priorities, even before we opened in July 2004. We have made diligent attempts to negotiate with the Medicare HMOs – but to no avail.
Consider Medicare Plan: Options this Fall
The Annual Coordinated Election Period runs from November 15 through December 31 each year. During this time beneficiaries may change prescription drug plans, change Medicare Advantage plans, or return to original Medicare. Enrollment changes take effect on January 1.
The Open Enrollment Period provides Medicare beneficiaries with one opportunity to enroll in, disenroll from, or change a Medicare Advantage plan. Like the General Enrollment Period, the Open Enrollment Period extends from January 1 through March 31 each year. Unlike enrollment in Part B, the change in Medicare Advantage enrollment or disenrollment becomes effective the month after the change is made.
Get Involved
There is a Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R.1563) designed to help people in rural communities like ours. It would allow all residents of the Moapa Valley to have the services they receive at Mesa View covered, regardless of their Medicare plan choices.
Please call or write our Congressional Representatives Shelley Berkley, Jon Porter and Dean Heller and ask for support of this Bill.
The Future
Our rural community is fortunate to have this beautiful hospital, with its talented and dedicated physicians, nurses, techs and support staff. Those in the healthcare industry outside of Mesquite and the Moapa Valley are amazed at our quality and depth of services. We continue to grow and enhance services, but it’s not without challenges.
It’s no surprise to any of us that there is a shortage of physicians and nurses in Nevada, including Mesquite and the Moapa Valley. By some estimates, it will take 2,200 more physicians to bring Nevada to the national average of physicians per capita, and more than 2,700 nurses to meet our state’s current demand.
We continue multi-pronged and aggressive efforts to recruit – and retain — doctors and nurses. Together with our local physicians, we’re working to recruit two Internal Medicine doctors, a Family Practitioner, an OB/GYN, a Cardiologist and an Orthopedic Surgeon.
We’re very selective. We want high quality practitioners who have an excellent bedside manner, and who are a good fit for our community. But it takes time to find the right person to fill each role, and the competition is tough.
Running a rural hospital is a complex business. But as I’ve come to learn in the past few years, Mesa View is not just any hospital, and this is not just any rural community. We’re even more special because of the incredible team of people who work, volunteer and practice here, and because of the way our community bands together to support what’s best for the citizens of Mesquite and the Moapa Valley. We have a wonderful, full service hospital and talented physicians, and we will continue to thrive and grow with your support. In an emergency, you know we are always here for you and your family, regardless of your coverage.
I am open to your thoughts and suggestions on these, or other healthcare issues. My direct line is 702-346-7037 and my home number is 702-346-7281.
Sue Conley is the CEO of the Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite, Nevada.
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