PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — The 7 Investigators have learned that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are terminating their agreement with Pontiac General Hospital. As of Sunday, they will no longer reimburse the hospital for Medicare patients.
According to a WARN notice filed with the state of Michigan, Pontiac General Hospital will begin laying off more than 250 people in the coming weeks.
CMS records obtained by the 7 Investigators show a substantial allegation complaint survey revealed “noncompliance” related to Patient Rights.
While it’s not clear exactly which complaint started the federal probe – CMS records show a visit to the hospital in July found noncompliance with several things, including:
- Patient Rights
- Medical Staff
- Nursing Services
- Pharmaceutical Services and
- Infection Prevention, Control, and Antibiotic Stewardship
The hospital says in the WARN notice that the layoffs are being enacted because they have been excluded from receiving Medicare funds. However, they also say they believe the loss of funding is temporary and believe it will last for less than 6 months.
Michigan Pontiac General Hospital 11082024 by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
186 of the layoffs will occur in the first phase, which the WARN notice says is scheduled for November 29. Approximately 68 will happen in phase 2, which will occur between December 6 and December 20, depending on how quickly patient load is impacted.
However, the hospital says they do not yet know the exact number of layoffs that will happen in phase 2 as that number could change based on patient load developments. The WARN notice will be updated once that total number is determined.
2024 11 18 WARN Notice Pontiac General Hospital by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
The WARN notice says the hospital does not expect that the entire facility will be affected and that they do not believe the hospital will shut down.
The exclusion from Medicare funding is the latest hit to Pontiac General. The 7 Investigators reported in February that the facility was using pre-signed blank forms to admit patients to their psych ward.
READ THE FULL NOTICE TO THE HOSPITAL:
230013-G7-Amended by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
