Mental Health Dept. $400,000 in the red
NORWICH – A recently announced 2007 deficit reported by the Chenango County Mental Hygiene Services Department understated the amount by $151,000, leaving this year’s budget in the red by nearly $400,000.
Director Mary Ann Spryn said Wednesday that she remains “optimistic” that the New York State Department of Health would refund all but approximately $45,400. The remaining amount is the result of Medicaid take-backs from 2004 and 2005 that the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services considered overpayments based on the county’s revenues, she said.
The 19-year department veteran told members of the county’s Finance Committee last week that low service numbers, inexperienced clinicians and changes in Medicaid billing procedures led to the losses in mental health programs.
“Errors were made across the board and I take full responsibility. I have been clear with staff about the mistakes made,” she said.
Committee Chairman Lawrence Wilcox, R-Oxford, said he was “very disappointed” that supervisors were not made aware of the shortfall during the 2008 budgeting season.
“It is your responsibility to run your programs without an impact on taxpayers, and to tell us before hand it it’s not working,” he said.
Finance Committee Vice Chairman Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, suggested that Spryn go through the department’s budget “with a fine-tooth comb” and “be prepared to cut back” on staff if the full amount isn’t recovered.
Spryn said she hoped to be able to cut some expenses this year.
Director Mary Ann Spryn said Wednesday that she remains “optimistic” that the New York State Department of Health would refund all but approximately $45,400. The remaining amount is the result of Medicaid take-backs from 2004 and 2005 that the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services considered overpayments based on the county’s revenues, she said.
The 19-year department veteran told members of the county’s Finance Committee last week that low service numbers, inexperienced clinicians and changes in Medicaid billing procedures led to the losses in mental health programs.
“Errors were made across the board and I take full responsibility. I have been clear with staff about the mistakes made,” she said.
Committee Chairman Lawrence Wilcox, R-Oxford, said he was “very disappointed” that supervisors were not made aware of the shortfall during the 2008 budgeting season.
“It is your responsibility to run your programs without an impact on taxpayers, and to tell us before hand it it’s not working,” he said.
Finance Committee Vice Chairman Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, suggested that Spryn go through the department’s budget “with a fine-tooth comb” and “be prepared to cut back” on staff if the full amount isn’t recovered.
Spryn said she hoped to be able to cut some expenses this year.
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