Meeker

PMC hospital board votes to go from 7 to 5 members

MEEKER | Pioneers Medical Center’s Board of Directors approved a new self-pay policy Tuesday during the regular board meeting. The policy provides a “prompt pay discount” of 20% for self-pay or uninsured patients who pay at the time of service or within 30 days.

Board President Kim Brown asked about the hospital’s profit margin with a discount applied and was assured that the hospital would still make a profit on 80% of billed charges.

Past due accounts are reviewed monthly and turned over to collections after four statements have been issued without payment or setting up a payment plan. No interest is charged on in-house payment plans.

If an account goes to collections, the collections agency takes a 25% cut. Board Secretary Todd Shults asked if there was a policy in place to call patients directly, stating, “It would be worth our time to pick up the phone and call,” before an account is sent to collections.

Unpaid accounts lose the 20% discount option. Patients can work with financial services to set up a payment plan.

Following the resignations of two of seven board members, the board discussed changing the number of board members to five. As with many volunteer boards, getting people to serve is an ongoing challenge. Directors are supposed to be elected, but in the last election cycle there were only enough interested individuals to fill the open seats.

Following discussion about possible drawbacks of going to a five-member board, such as difficulty obtaining a quorum during some months, and the difficulties of the position being all-volunteer, board members voted to approve the change from a seven-member to a five-member board. Officers for the year will remain the same, with Brown as president, Kai Turner as vice-president, and Shults as secretary.

The board heard updates from Dr. Kellie Turner, who said they’re working on improving quality measures at the clinic, encouraging use of the patient portal for doctor-patient communication, and trying to help the sleep lab. Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Andrea Hazelton will act as the sleep lab coordinator for patients.

Turner also said she had a conversation with the operators of the Front Range Clinic, a mobile addiction treatment unit that serves as a rural outreach program providing telemedicine for medication-assisted treatment of addiction disorders.

“The end goal is to help people get stabilized and get back into the community,” Turner said.

The board approved the appointment of PA Marina Brown for Dr. Courtney Fulton, and reappointed Dr. Kevin Borchard and Dr. Justin Grant.

From the orthopedic department, Kristofer Borchard shared promising data received from the maker of the Mako robotic-arm assisted knee replacement equipment. PMC’s orthopedic department is thriving, and patients are recovering faster than average, with better outcomes: shorter hospital stays, 100% discharge to home instead of a rehab facility, to date zero post-surgery infections, and improved physical therapy results by discharge.

The department performed close to 80 joint replacements in the first quarter of this year, while spine, hand, and other orthopedic surgeries are also increasing.

CEO Liz Sellers said representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment were on campus for the annual review of the Walbridge Wing.

“They’re really positive about the Wing and how the patients are cared for,” Sellers said. There are 25 patients in the Wing currently.

Sellers also said thanks to COVID funds and a DOLA grant, the hospital is moving forward with construction of the negative air pressure — or isolation — room.

The board meeting closed in executive session.


By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
11 hours ago
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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2 days ago
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🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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