Hillcrest OKs new rates for services

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Hillcrest Nursing Home Board of Trustees approved rate increases for assisted living and for non-employees using the on-site childcare center.

Citing the fact that there hasn't been a rate increase in assisted living for at least two years, plus rising costs of staffing and vendors, the board approved increasing the per-day amount for private pay patients from $89 to $94 at the regular board meeting Tuesday morning. There are now 10 in assisted living, with Hillcrest licensed for 14.

Colinda Nappa, Hillcrest administrator, told the board that of the 10 in assisted living, seven are Medicaid residents and three are private pay. Medicaid helps pay costs for patients who qualify, based on the patient income.

She also told the board she had called other facilities in the area inquiring about rates for assisted living, with one declining to disclose its rates and another citing $109 per day for a one-bedroom.

The board also approved unanimously a 25-cent increase per hour for non-employees who have children at Hillcrest's daycare center, from $4 per hour to $4.25, effective Sept. 1. This is the starting rate for an infant, with lower rates for older children.

The board debated whether the center was solely for the benefit for employees, a for-profit enterprise or a service to the community. Nappa told the board that she was advised by the county attorney that the daycare is for the benefit for employees and rate-wise, shouldn't be competing with privately-owned daycares.

Nappa told the board she surveyed area daycares and found that rates were comparable to what Hillcrest charges, with area childcare centers charging between $4-$4.50 per hour for infants. With the rate increase, Hillcrest would be between the lowest and highest rates, compared to other daycares in McCook, she said.

Nappa said the daycare center is running almost at full capacity, with the majority of the children those of Hillcrest employees. Hillcrest employees have first priority for any available openings.

The preliminary budget shows revenue from the childcare center last year at $184,000, with expenses at $168,000.

Other business discussed at Tuesday's meeting included:

* There is a total of 95 residents in the facilty, compared to 85 this time last year. This includes 48 residents that are private pay (34 last year), 29 state-paid (37 last year), 10 Assisted living (nine last year), three with VA and two in hospice

* Hirings included six CNAs and an employee in the dietary department.

* the preliminary budget for next year is due to the county Aug. 1. Total revenue for the facility last year was $7.2 million, according to Nappa, with expenses at $7.15 million, for a $16,000 profit.

* financial report as of July 29: total cash on hand: $868,236.23 (includes general checking balance of $185,018.79; sinking fund, $494,541,82; (used for annual payments of $221,000 to the county); Money Market, $131,357.11; Phase II balance, $41,356.61 (funds left over from previous construction). Total cash and accounts receivable: $907,236.23. Critical bills to pay, approximate (including payroll): $352,247.11. Total due to facility (payments from Medicare,Medicaid and private pay): $39,000.

* the new director of nursing is Becky Tate, who was hired March 26. Tate was the Director of Nursing in Hoxie prior to coming to Hillcrest and before that, a nurse at Decatur County.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: