Although the fabric covering the Martin General Hospital (MGH) sign may not be coming down just yet, healthcare provider talks are continuing, according to Ascendient CEO Dawn Carter.
Previously, there was a question as to whether closed hospitals could receive Rural Emergency Hospital status. The answer is good news for Martin County.
“Facilities that were enrolled as CAHs or rural hospitals with not more than 50 beds as of December 27, 2020 and then subsequently closed after that date, would also be eligible to seek REH designation if they re-enroll in Medicare and meet all the CoPs and requirements for REHs,” stated Carter.
“We are still waiting on answers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the path for reopening MGH as a rural emergency hospital,” Carter added. “We continue to have various contacts with them and anticipate answers in the very near future.”
Ascendient is the consulting firm currently working with the county to provide a solution for reopening MGH.
Carter and county representatives have met with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and others to discuss options for providing sustainable healthcare in the county.
“Over the past few months, there has been interest from more than a dozen potential partners in operating healthcare services in Martin County but we are waiting for answers,” Carter said. “Down the line, Ascendient and the county plan to facilitate an RFP and state-required public bid process, where interested parties will submit their proposals for providing sustainable healthcare in Martin County. “Each party is currently under a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement (NDA), as is the county, to protect the county’s interests ahead of releasing requests for proposals,” Carter continued.
However, before the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the bid process begins the county needs answers on what needs to be done to the former MGH building before it can reopen and what amount of capital the hospital would need to reopen.
“As previously noted, Ascendient and the county believe an REH is one viable model that could ensure access to healthcare services in Martin County. Many of the interested parties are open to operating Martin General as an REH,” said Carter.
The REH model is brand new. No North Carolina hospital has yet converted to an REH and no closed hospital has yet to gain REH status.
Although MGH remains shuttered, two new providers have opened or have plans to open health clinics in Williamston.
Agape Health Services opened its Williamston location at 220 Green Street last month with the reopening of Roanoke River Orthopedics.
“Following a period of uncertainty and the unfortunate closure of Martin General Hospital, Agape Health Services proudly declares the revival and reopening of Roanoke River Orthopedics,” said Agape CEO Dr. Michael McDuffie. “This significant revival not only reinstates critical medical services, but also serves as a beacon of hope for the community.”
Agape plans on renovating and enhancing the facility creating a state of the art facility that meets the ever changing healthcare needs of the community and Agape patients.
Affinity Health Care is in the process of opening Williamston Medical Clinic at 800 Park Street. Affinity CEO Frank Avignone could not offer a definite timeline for the opening, but expects to be open at the location in June. Avignone plans on expanding operations once the facility opens.
“Our plan is to bring back as many or all of the physicians who practiced at Martin General Hospital as we can. Park and Greene street locations give us a medical campus of sorts,” said Avignone.
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