Hillcrest expects major impact from Obamacare
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Affordable Healthcare Act will have major financial ramifications for Hillcrest Nursing Home.
Randy Dean, a Board of Trustee member and vice president of the board, updated members Tuesday at the regular meeting what kind of expenses Hillcrest could have when the mandated healthcare act goes into effect in 2014.
Dean said as Hillcrest is considered a "large group," it will have to offer insurance to employees that does not cost more than 9.5 percent of their salary, or pay a penalty up to $3,000 per employee if employees go to a clearing house exchange for their insurance.
Employees that are below the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for subsidies.
As insurance companies will have to provide more services with the mandate -- such as contraceptive use, mental health, drug and alcohol help, dental care for children -- premiums will go up, Dean said.
"A lot of decisions will have to be made over the next year," he told the board.
In other action, Colinda Nappa told the board about $1.89 million in bills due to Hillcrest still need to be collected. She is working with a consultant from Rural Health Development on resolving that issue, she said. Nappa added that as of the end of April, all bills at Hillcrest are paid.
Nursing Home Week begins May 12 and a family picnic will be Monday, May 13.
After the regular meeting, the board convened in closed session to discuss personnel issues.