Hospital gains revenue despite tough year
Staff writer
St. Luke Hospital in Marion ended fiscal year 2020 with a revenue increase despite grueling losses during spring 2020 when COVID-19 caused cancelations of procedures and routine visits.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid last spring ordered rural hospitals not to perform elective procedures during March and April 2020.
In March 2020, CEO Jeremy Ensey said visits to the therapy department were down 28%, laboratory tests were down 40%, and clinic visits and radiology tests were each down 30%.
At that time, he predicted a $1 million decrease in revenue for April 2020.
“The changes that occurred during fiscal year ’20 were some of the greatest disruptions in a century,” Ensey told the hospital board of directors Tuesday. “However, St. Luke was still able to realize a 6.8% increase in gross revenue. Lab, wound care, and home health all saw increases.”
Board members voted to work with architectural firm Alloy Architectural in Wichita to develop a facility master plan, which is part of the hospital’s strategic plan.
We worked with them on our living center and our clinic additions.
It will help determine where to add on if a department is at capacity.
Tuesday’s annual meeting was the final one for board chairman Mike Connell, who has been on the board 12 years, and vice chairman Don Hodson, who has been on the board since 2012.
Marion residents John Wheeler and Chris Mercer were voted onto the board and will serve their first meeting next month.