GALESBURG, Ill. —
Update - Dec. 29, 2:40 p.m.
In an updated release published to its website, CMS announced that Cottage Hospital's termination date has been pushed back to January 14, 2022.
The details of the termination remain identical, except for this date. If a patient is admitted on or before January 14, Medicare may continue to pay for services for up to 30 days after the termination.
Original Story - Dec. 28
Medicare and Medicaid will no longer make payments to Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued a termination notice for the hospital, stating the agreement granting Galesburg Cottage Hospital admittance into the Medicare program would be terminated on Monday, Dec. 27.
According to the notice, the hospital was found to have violated four conditions of the program, including patient rights, nursing services, physical environment and governing body.
The statement reads, in part:
"The Medicare program will not make payment for inpatient hospital services furnished to patients who are admitted after the close of Dec. 27, 2021. For patients admitted on Dec. 27, 2021, or earlier, payment may continue for up to 30 calendar days of inpatient hospital services furnished after Dec. 27, 2021."
The move could have devastating impacts on the facility, which relied on the program for more than half of its inpatient revenue in 2020.
A report from Illinois' Health Facilities & Services Review Board found 59% of Galesburg Cottage Hospital's inpatient revenue for the year came from Medicare, totaling $8.57 million. Medicaid accounted for another 14%, bringing in $2.03 million.
News 8 reached out to representatives at Galesburg Cottage Hospital several times for comment but has yet to hear back.
The news comes just 18 months after the hospital's transfer to new ownership was finalized. Quorum Health Corporation confirmed it had sold the facility on June 25, 2020, to SBJ Group Inc., out of Austin, Texas.
Alongside OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg Cottage Hospital serves the greater Galesburg and Knox County region. According to its website, the facility has 133 beds and provides the area with inpatient, outpatient and emergency care.