The California Hospital Association (CHA) filed a temporary injunction in their case to stop the state of CA from implementing proposed Medi-Cal rate cuts to hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder granted the injunction, citing EPHC and Plumas County as examples in her decision. On Jan. 10, the state filed an appeal of the decision to the 9th Circuit Court. According to the attorneys for CHA, it’s likely we’ll learn the outcome of the appeal within one to three months. If the injunction holds, the rate cuts will not occur for the duration of the case. We’ve...

Read More ›

Now you can get the tests you need when you need them! Choose from the following list, every month, all year long: Complete Blood Count (without differential) $11 Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (fasting required) $26 Lipid Panel (fasting required) $31 Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy $40 Hemoglobin A1C $25 TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) $25 Free T4 $25 PSA (prostate specific antigen) $79 Low-cost testing is available at the following locations and times: Graeagle Medical Clinic Mon. & Wed. 8am – 12pm 530.836.1122 Loyalton Hospital Mon. & Wed. 8:30am – 12pm 530.993.1231 Indian Valley Medical Clinic Mon. – Thurs. 8am – 9am 530.284.6116 • Payment due at time of service. Insurance will not be billed. You...

Read More ›

U.S. District Court Judge, Christina Snyder has granted the California Hospital Association’s (CHA) motion for a preliminary injunction. This halts the implementation of the CA state rate cut to our skilled nursing facilities that would have amounted to a $1 million per year hit to our hospital. Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, the law firm representing CHA in their case against the state of California and federal Health and Human Services, praised EPHC for its efforts, stating that “Tom’s [Hayes’] declaration was cited, and Plumas County was used as an example,” in the judge’s Order. They also said to “let the...

Read More ›

We know these are tough times—we don’t just work here, we LIVE here! We hope these services will help you to thrive this winter. • Urgent Care at EPHC: after hours visits to the ER are charged as a regular clinic visit. • Low Cost Lab Specials: now a full menu of lab specials are available every week day, all year long. You get the tests you need WHEN you need them. Self-pay. • Dental Clinic: our dental clinic takes most forms of commercial insurance. Please call 832.6507 for details. • Our Patient Financial Advocate can set you up with a payment plan, help you with MediCal...

Read More ›

Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Lab Manager, Bill Carlson, is 2011 Employee of the Year. It’s an honor he’s proud of, especially since he was chosen by fellow staff members, all 250 of whom were also in the running for this award. In his multiple nominations, staff members described him as “an excellent example of a dedicated, caring, and highly competent employee, who is committed to excellent customer service,” said Cathy Conant, Director of Human Resources. Carlson was also touted for his “ability to partner with others,” a vital skill in this small and versatile hospital where, with state and federal funding cuts...

Read More ›

This week's excellent article on the front page of the Portola Reporter, looks at the big picture in the long-term care crisis, brought to the fore by the state of California's cuts to hospital connected (Distinct Part) skilled nursing facilities. The newspaper's managing editor, Delaine Fragnoli, asks and answers all the right questions. She also infuses the article with heart and soul, using Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing patients as an example of what will happen if these cuts go into effect. This is a nation wide crisis that has hit Eastern Plumas and Sierra counties especially hard. The...

Read More ›

Many members of our community have expressed outrage at the state cuts that are causing a $1.1 million per year loss in revenue to Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing facilities. EPHC is struggling to maintain all of its services while making sure that the hospital as a whole stays solvent. Those of you who would still like to write letters to lawmakers telling them why you think what the state of CA cuts to our skilled nursing residents is wrong, can send your letters to elected officials, either by regular mail or via email. If you need further assistance...

Read More ›

The Eastern Plumas Health Care Board of Directors and several staff members will be holding their annual Indian Valley meeting on Wednesday Nov.16 at 10:30 am. at the Community Center across from the Sunrise. They will be sharing information about EPHC and also would appreciate input from our community about their Indian Valley Medical Clinic. For more information, call: 530.832.6564.

See the full article by Managing Editor, Delaine Fragnoli, on Feather Publishing's website: www.plumasnews.com It details: devastating state cuts to EPHC's skilled nursing facilities; our prominent role in the California Hospital Association case against the state Dept. of Health and federal Health and Human Services (including four of our patients who will serve as plaintiffs for the restraining order against the state); steps we are taking to cut costs and save our skilled nursing facilities and other services; area demographics; and more.

Eastern Plumas Health Care was informed Thursday night, Oct. 27, that the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) was approving California State Plan Amendment 11-010 which allows them to cut MediCal payments to its hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) by 10% of 2008 rates (in effect, a 23% cut). In addition, the cuts will be retroactive, causing EPHC to have to underwrite care it has already given back to June 1. Since a staggering 93% of its SNF patients are on MediCal, this amounts to a $1.1 million hit per year—an unsustainable reduction in revenue to a fragile hospital system...

Read More ›