Four R.I. hospitals to receive added Medicare payout

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL is one of four in Rhode Island set to receive additional reimbursement from Medicare. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/VICTORIA AROCHO
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL is one of four in Rhode Island set to receive additional reimbursement from Medicare. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/VICTORIA AROCHO

WARWICK – Four hospitals in Rhode Island will receive an additional $5.75 million in Medicare payments, the state’s congressional delegation announced Wednesday.
The payments to Kent, Newport, South County and Westerly Hospitals are a result of the renewal of the “wage index” adjustment by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which accounts for different labor costs across the country.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Rhode Island hospitals – and ultimately, Rhode Island patients,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse in a statement. “The additional funding will bring parity to Rhode Island hospitals and help ensure that they have the resources needed to keep Rhode Islanders healthy.”
A regulation issued Aug. 2 renewed the wage index adjustment for the four hospitals, which received Medicare reimbursement based on a lower wage index than other Ocean State hospitals.
Newport Hospital will receive an estimated $968,000 in additional Medicare reimbursement in fiscal 2014. Kent Hospital will receive an estimated additional $2.7 million, South County Hospital about $1.09 million and Westerly Hospital about $990,000 in fiscal 2014.

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  1. Wonderful. After all the time he has served in Congress, Sheldon Whitehouse finally came to the realization that these hospitals have been getting screwed. Amazing. What exzactly does he do in Washington besides supporting Obama’s ludicrous ideas, pushing gun control, and warning about climate change? South County Hospital is a ‘Hidden Gem’ that many in Rhode Island don’t fully recognize or appreciate. The Staff and Administartion are of the highest calibre.