’s
July 24, 2015 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
SCKMC Approved for VA Health
340B Program to Increase Revenue
Veterans in the Cowley County area are now able to receive healthcare services closer to home through a partnership with South Central Kansas Medical Center. The Veterans Choice Program (VCP) is a temporary program to improve access to health care by allowing eligible veterans to use approved health care providers outside of VA. The VCP was created following public outcry against lengthy wait times for healthcare appointments. Section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACCA) required that VA establish the program. In late 2014, VA began mailing all veterans a Veterans Choice Card. The Choice Card allows veterans to choose to receive care outside of VA when they qualify for the new program. The Choice Chard doesn’t replace the identification card veterans already use to access other VA benefits. As the choice cards began to arrive locally, area veterans requested that SCKMC partner with the program. One of the individuals seeking the local tie-in was Dustin Schuetz. Schuetz is a veteran, and also a member of the hospital’s Community Advisory Committee. The committee was formed to help share suggestions from the public with members of the medical center’s administrative team. “The Veterans Choice program will be very helpful to local vets, SCKMC will now be able to service area vets, this will reduce wait times and provide local resources to the surrounding areas,” Schuetz said. The medical center submitted their application to be included as a Veterans Choice provider and received confirmation of acceptance into the program on July 17th. “This is a program that we have had interest in, but also that the community had interest in us having an interest in. Our administrative team pushed to get this accomplished, all while working on our many other projects. I’m excited that we are able to partner with the VA, as the Veterans Choice program should be a great benefit to those who served,” said Virgil Watson, SCKMC’s Chief Executive Officer. Veterans wanting to use the choice program for local service must receive prior approval from the VA. Care in the community is only covered by the VA for medical needs which have been approved by a VA physician. Emergency care is not covered by the Choice program. Veterans who did not receive, or have lost their Choice Card may still be eligible to use the program. They can call the Choice Program Call Center at 866-606-8198 for more information, to verify eligibility, and make an appointment.
SCKMC has been approved to participate in the 340B Federal drug pricing program that requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to eligible health care organizations at significantly reduced prices. “(The program) reduces our pharmacy costs, so the supplies we pay for now will be more than cut in half. There has been different estimates, but $400,000 is what we believe we will see in savings,” said Holly Harper, SCKMC’s Chief Financial Officer. Harper explained that the 340B program is unique in that it not only benefits hospitals, but savings are also passed along to patients and area retail pharmacies. “As we work through this process we will get with local pharmacies to get them set up as well, so that they can also realize savings. And then the Medicare and Medicaid population in our area will be able to purchase lower cost drugs,” Harper said. SCKMC will begin their participation in the program on October 1st. The hospital will be required to recertify their eligibility every year, and maintain auditable records documenting compliance with 340B program requirements.
Lab Department Remembers Traffas Cindy Traffas, a long time member of the SCKMC family, passed away on July 13th. Cindy was a Certified Laboratory Technician and had worked at the hospital for more than 15 years. To honor her memory, the lab department will be donating a memorial bench to be placed outside the hospital’s front entrance. A donation box is available in the laboratory for those wanting to contribute.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. The FDA has added a new warning to the drug label for Daytrana patch. Permanent loss of skin color may occur when using this patch. Daytrana patch is indicated for the treatment of ADHD and works by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in children and adolescents. The skin discoloration is known as chemical leukoderma. It is not physically harmful, but it is disfiguring. People who use this patch should keep an eye for areas of lighter skin. The onset usually occurs between 2 months to 4 years. If discoloration occurs, the patch should not be stopped without first talking to a health care professional.
Register Online Today!
Saturday, August 29th – Patterson Park, Arkansas City SCKMC has partnered with professional race organizers for event registration and timing of an
"extreme obstacle" style race. The 5K (3.1 miles) with 12 obstacles race will be unlike any other event in the area. • Food & Beverage Vendors • Entertainment for all ages • Free spectator area The funds raised will benefit South Central Kansas Medical Center and our mission to serve within the community. All money raised will be used as the foundation for growth and development of the services we provide, such as equipment purchases, physician recruitment, and program enhancement.
www.sckmc.org for more information Obstacle photos are representative only. Obstacles are subject to change without notice
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