Alva Review-Courier -

It must be an indication that business is running smoothly when the number of board members and hospital personnel far exceed the small handful of district patrons attending an annual meeting. That was the case at the Kiowa District Hospital Annual Meeting at the Kiowa Community Building May 23.

After opening the meeting with thanks to the board members and staff, Board President Pat Myers introduced Matt Morris, auditor with BKD. He gave KDH a “clean, unmodified opinion.”

Morris started with the manor, saying that their occupancy rate had increased from about 60 percent to 72 percent in 2018. The increase reflected in patient revenue which went from approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million. With Cohesive Management employee John Fonang as administrator, the manor cut costs. The manor's financial picture improved by about $300,000. Fonang is now relocated within Cohesive's healthcare network.

Discussing the hospital, Morris said inpatient (both swingbed and acute) volume doubled and cash is up. However, with Medicare reimbursements, increased volume means you'll owe Medicare money. If you have decreased volume you'll get a Medicare check.

“That's the ebbs and flows of living in a Critical Access world,” Morris told the board.

Because of KDH increased patient volume they ended up owing Medicare $1.3 million. They held a special meeting May 8 and approved having KDH CFO Janell Goodno pursue an extended repayment schedule with Medicare for the KDH Medicare overpayment.

When Morris presented the consolidated balance sheets for the manor and hospital ending December 31, 2018, it showed a loss of $407,886. He noted that is a big improvement over 2017 when the loss was $859,135. The document shows the Kiowa Hospital District Assets at $10,991,775.

Board Members Retain Seats

The board seats held by KDH Board President Pat Myers and Secretary Jim Parker were up for reelection. Both were nominated and had no opposition so retain their seats.