Brandywine
Brandywine, WV · Health
The Carroll News
Tri-Area Community Health is Seeking Court Review of Virginia Medicaid Reimbursement Decision
Tri-Area Community Health (TACH), a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, and Patrick counties and the City of Galax, has asked a Virginia circuit court to review a Final Agency Decision related to Medicaid reimbursement issued by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The dispute concerns how DMAS calculated Medicaid reimbursement owed to TACH after the health center expanded services and locations over several years. TACH’s position is straightforward: when a safety-net health center expands services for Medicaid patients, Medicaid reimbursement should be calculated fairly and in accordance with the laws and regulations governing Federally Qualified Health Centers, and that, at the end of each fiscal year, reconciliation should be conducted to ensure TACH receives adequate reimbursement from DMAS to cover the costs of TACH providing services to Medicaid patients. An independent Hearing Officer who presided over TACH’s formal administrative appeal agreed with TACH on the central reimbursement issues. After reviewing the evidence and testimony, the Hearing Officer recommended that TACH met its burden to show that DMAS’s reimbursement calculations were erroneous and recommended that DMAS pay TACH approximately $7.48 million in additional reimbursement to make up for over a decade of underpayment. DMAS Director
The News Leader
Rallies set to protest Shenandoah Valley health care cuts
The Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County and Lex/Rock/BV Democratic committees will hold a series of rallies Oct. 14 focused on health care access and recent clinic closures in the Shenandoah Valley. According to organizers, the rallies are intended to protest health care policies supported by Republicans in Congress, including U.S. Rep. Ben Cline , and to draw attention to concerns about Medicaid funding, access to care and the closure of primary care clinics in Churchville and Buena Vista. Organizers said the rallies were prompted in part by Augusta Health's closure of several Shenandoah Valley primary care locations. Last year, Augusta Health announced plans to merge services at its Churchville, Buena Vista and Weyers Cave practices, directing patients to other locations, including Verona and other Augusta Health facilities. Augusta Health said the consolidation was part of its ongoing response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the resulting realities of health care delivery. Augusta Health leaders also urged residents to speak out in support of Medicaid funding , warning that reductions could have a significant impact on rural health care providers. Democratic organizers said the changes underscore the importance of protecting health care access in rural communities. The Oct. 14 rallies