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Franklin Medical records $114K profit
Franklin Medical Center ended the 2007 fiscal year with a profit of $114,000 according to CEO/CFO Robert Boullion.
Boullion made the announcement at the regular board of commissioners meeting on May 23.
"We continue to show an upward trend," Boullion told commission members Michael Wright, Paul Price, Nick Poulos and DannyWarner. Commis-sioner Jan Hicks was absent.
Boullion said the medical center has shown a profit for the last four months, which he attributed to a combination of increased patients, increased collections and lower administrative costs.
"We're down 21 percent in administrative over 2007," Boullion said.
The medical center will continue to pursue past due accounts, Boullion said, noting, "We're being pretty aggressive."
"It used to be that folks came here and didn't have to negotiate what they were going to have to pay. We're now following up on accounts, verifying insurance, meeting and talking about what is happening," he said.
New clinics stalled
Plans to open new outpatient clinics in Wisner and Crowville have been thwarted by the federal government, which has effectively shut down new rural health clinics (RHC) nationwide.
"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said states are not allowed to conduct surveys to accredit new rural health clinics; that they are not a priority," Boullion said.
The "surveys" are studies conducted to establish that a facility is located in a rural area designated as a "shortage" area.
The Wisner clinic already has state grant funding of $450,000, which was secured with the help of Rep. Noble Ellington.
"We're trying to see if we have any options," Boullion said. "We could open as a regular clinic and we are looking to see if that is viable."
Physician search
Boullion said efforts to recruit a general surgeon to the hospital have made some progress, and the center is currently "in talks" with a possible candidate.
Boullion said having a general surgeon on staff is important to bringing patients to the medical center.
Currently, specialty physicians such as gastroenterologists and orthopaedic surgeons come to the facility on a contract basis.
"Two new ear, nose and throat (doctors) want to come and we are talking to them," Boullion said.
A contracted general surgeon is expected the first of July, pending approval by the medical staff. Although the surgeon will not be permanent, Boullion said he will stay as long as needed. |
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