Hillsdale Health Center awaits Medicare answer

10/29/2001

HILLSDALE - A plea to federal officials to change the Medicare reimbursement classification for Hillsdale Community Health Center is likely to go unheeded this year, officials said.

Hospital officials said the medical facility is attempting to have its Medicare reimbursement classification changed from rural to urban, a move that could lead to higher reimbursements.

The health center is losing between $1 million and $1.5 million a year because hospitals under Medicare's urban designation are paid more than rural hospitals for the same services, officials said.

But although the hospital has garnered the support of Michigan legislators, other officials in Washington, D.C., told hospital management that the issue would likely not be taken up in any appropriation bills moving through Congress this fall.