The Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at noon Monday, March 25, in the Alliance Room of BBGH. This month’s agenda included an update on the Change Healthcare cyberattack and a report on provider recruitment. The February financial statement, consent calendar, and credentials were all approved as presented.
Chief Financial Officer Mike O’Dell provided an update on the nationwide ALPHAV/Black Cat cyberattack that occurred last month and its effects on BBGH. He said that, as of March 25, BBGH’s clearinghouse vendor was expecting to have its services back online and that claims submitted before the cyberattack can begin to be processed.
Until the system is fully functional again and all outstanding claims have been processed, patients can expect a delay in receiving statements.
“Remember, they [insurance companies] are going to be behind because they haven’t received claims going on 35 days from many hospitals,” O’Dell said during the meeting. “So, they’re going to have 35 days’ worth of claims from approximately 30-50% of the hospitals in the country to process.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Shelmadine and Chief Executive Officer Lori Mazanec have identified physician recruitment opportunities for hospitalist, emergency department, family medicine and obstetrics. In the coming months, physicians are expected to start at BBGH to help in the family medicine and obstetrics department and the emergency department.
New employees recognized during the meeting included Billing Specialist Melissa Canaday, Basic Nurse Assistants Denym McCormick and Makayla Farkas, Teacher Becky Allbaugh, and EVS Tech Julie Johnson. The Board also recognized the March Employee of the Month, Staff Nurse Trevor Ridenour.
The Board went into Executive session at 12:52 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 1:03 p.m., with no action taken. The next BBGH Board meeting will be at noon on Monday, April 29, in the Alliance Room. The public is invited to attend.