UPDATE: MEDICARE / TENNCARE / MEDICAID

Statement by Dr. Barry Wagner, CEO of Cumberland Medical Center

The following is a statement and background information for the news media regarding recent inaccurate reports on the status of Cumberland Medical Center’s ability to continue treating patients with Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid.

Statement

“It is absolutely false that Cumberland Medical Center is no longer a Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid provider today.

“Despite incorrect news reports and rumors, Cumberland Medical Center is serving Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid patients through September 16, and if our efforts are successful, beyond that date.

“Because this is an important, highly complex issue that impacts thousands in our community – a majority of our local population, in fact – we must get the story right.   It is imperative that accurate information be provided to the citizens we serve.  Not doing so could unnecessarily put lives in danger.

“Cumberland Medical Center is doing our absolute best to meet all requirements necessary to maintain uninterrupted Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid service. We are confident this will occur.

“In the meantime, we remain committed to and focused on providing the best care possible to our patients.”

Background Information

Incorrect news reports regarding the status of Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid were sparked by a public notice filing in the Knoxville News Sentinel over the weekend. The notice was filed after the hospital and regulatory agencies identified an incident with a single employee who has since been terminated from the organization.

This type of notice is a standard procedure required by the healthcare industry’s state and federal regulatory bodies for situations like this.

Cumberland Medical Center must and will file a “Credible Allegation of Compliance” and “Plan of Correction” with regulatory agencies by September 9, which will occur. Cumberland Medical Center is taking all steps necessary to achieve compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

With this plan filed, state and federal authorities will review it.  The hospital expects this review to take place in the next several days, during which time Medicare, TennCare and Medicaid coverage will continue uninterrupted at Cumberland Medical Center.  If the plan is approved, which hospital officials are hopeful it will be, coverage will continue.