The Juan F. Luis Hospital submitted a plan of correction to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Friday, the deadline set by the agency that regulates hospital accreditation for medical centers to participate in federal healthcare funding.
The plan was in response to a November notice of termination from CMS under which the hospital would lose the ability to be reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid. Termination would mean JFL would no longer be reimbursed for Medicare and Medicaid patients, meaning the loss of millions of dollars for the financially struggling hospital.
According to a news release issued Saturday, the plan of correction details the actions that will be taken by the hospital to address deficiencies identified during a complaint survey conducted by CMS on Nov. 10. At a hospital board meeting after the termination notice was received, Chief Executive Officer Richard Evangelista told the board CMS conducted a one-day survey based on a specific complaint at the hospital and, in response, the hospital had taken action to monitor patient charts and infection controls.
Saturday’s news release said CMS officials identified one condition-level deficiency related to the physical environment requirements, and five deficiencies overall from that survey. The hospital has not publicly identified details about the deficiencies, nor has it said what actions the plan calls for.
Saturday’s news release said JFL officials will make the plan available to the public after it is accepted by CMS. The termination is slated for February unless CMS accepts the plan of correction.
The hospital presented the plan Thursday to the Territorial Hospital, which pledged its support. The board discussed details of the plan in executive session.
This is the second time in just more than two years that CMS has given JFL a notice of termination. In September of 2014, CMS threatened to cut off funding due to poor oversight and management.
