KDH to raise manor room rates

The Kiowa District Hospital Board of Directors held their Nov. 21 meeting in the Kirkpatrick meeting room. President Pat Myers called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., with members Marcia Cantrell, Kevin Wise and Jim Parker present. Chantae Simpson joined at 7 p.m.

Other hospital personnel attending: CEO/CFO Janell Goodno, COO Philip Anton, HR Director Jana Mott, Business Office Manager Tara Girty, Financial Controller Courtney Larson, Hospital DON Robyn Whitaker, Manor DON Sydney Hamill, Manor ADON Kamri Theis, and Friends of the Hospital and Manor Foundation President Judy Schrock.

Anton explained to the board why he proposes they approve a 10% room rate increase at the manor. Researching area competitors, Anton said they average out at $280/day. “In contrast to our rates, many others are non-inclusive and/or have different levels of care at different prices. Our rates were increased 5 percent last year. During COVID, we did not raise rates and our rates have fallen behind our competitors’.”

The 10% increase would bring daily room costs to $215 for a small private/shared bath, $230 for a small private/private bath, $225 for a large private/shared bath and $240 for a large private/private bath. Hospital rates will go to $2,000 for the acute care rate and $1,800 for the swing bed rate.

The board approved the 10% room rate increase, effective Jan. 1.

Other KDH Business

Schrock told the board, “The Friends of KDH and Manor Foundation is partnering with South Central Community Foundation (SCCF) for Match Day, like they did last year. Match Day is on Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The Patterson Family Foundation is the organization doing the match. The $70,000 they are putting up as the match is shared among the 13 organizations that are registered with SCCF. This year we will be submitting $25,000 of Jeans and Gems money to leverage a match. All donations that are made this year are returned to us by the end of December.”

In other business, Goodno said the addition on the hospital's childcare facility is basically finished. The facility was KDHE-approved and school age children are now in their new part of the building. The next few months the crew at the manor will work on small projects.

Regarding the utility easement and the City of Kiowa ordinance for the childcare area, Goodno said the hospital's attorney, Hannah Brass, conferred with the city's attorney, Brandon Ritcha. She will send the ordinance as soon as it is issued.

Mott told the board it's time to renew employee benefits. She said, “We are pleased to offer employees a flat renewal with BCBS. We will stay with Delta Dental with a very small increase. We tried a new company for vision last year but, due to popular demand, we will go back to VSP at a very minimal increase. Our rates were largely unchanged because our staff is so healthy.”

Mott added, “Every year we offer employees the opportunity to suggest handbook changes. We have very minimal changes this year. Most of the suggestions were actually policy changes.”

The board approved several monthly reports. Following a roughly one-hour executive session at the end of the meeting, the board approved the Risk Management report for the Manor for October.

Hospital and Manor Administrator Report

Goodno announced that Courtney Larson received the KDH Employee Monthly Spotlight Award. She is the financial controller. “Courtney is extremely deserving of this award. Her dedication and commitment to our healthcare system is vital throughout KDH.” Goodno said.

She reminded attendees that Medicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. She told of participation, such as BCU Prevention Coalition and CEO presentation to Wichita Statę University students.

The administrator listed current staffing needs: housekeeping staff (hospital), registered nurse (hospital/manor), full-time CNA (hospital), medical laboratory technician (hospital) and radiology tech (hospital).

Reporting on the manor, Anton said they have 23 residents. The manor currently has a 5-star rating. He added a new app for approval of new residents. The Resident Door Decoration Contest begins. He plans to visit the botanical gardens in Wichita to see the lights again this year. He said new regulations from CMS came out that complicates RN coverage requirements as well as regulation of some behavioral medications.

KDH Financial and Statistics for October

Larson presented financial and statistical information for both the hospital and manor for the month of October. There were 15 admissions that totaled 49 days of acute and swingbed care. Of those, 39 days were swingbed with 10 acute. Outpatient visits totaled 795. Clinic visits were 513.

The hospital operating statement showed they were in the black at the end of October by $15,555. Their total operating revenue was $601,961 (including 340B discount drug revenue). Total expenses were $813,857, so net from operations was a loss of $211,896. Total non-operating revenue with tax revenue and other was $227,451, which made the $15,555 gain. Year to date (YTD), the hospital is in the black $812,380.

At the end of October, the manor was in the red $22,953 and for YTD $386,604.

The comparative balance sheets showed total cash in all funds at $1,555,921.

Girty reported that accounts receivable (AR) were $1,382,822. The average days in AR were 42. Days of cash on hand were 48. Total payments made were $451,174.

The board approved all the finance and statistical information.