County facing $293,000 charge from state DOH
NORWICH – A request for repeal of a nearly $300,0000 bill to Chenango County has been rejected by the New York State Office of Mental Health, leaving county officials pondering ways to pay.
According to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the county received more than was due in medical reimbursement for outpatient services at the county's community mental hygiene service center, located on East River Road in Norwich. The state department claims the local center received a surplus totaling $293,409 in comprehensive outpatient program services (COPS) from 2006-2008.
COPS is a program which makes a provider of licensed mental health outpatient services eligible to receive supplemental medical assistance reimbursement (paid to providers through the Medicaid payment system) in exchange for provision of enhanced outpatient services.
Knowing of the chargeback last year, the county sought a repeal of the charges in August, citing possible miscalculations of reimbursements at the state level. Tom Crounse, administrative services officer at the Chenango County Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, said a the time the state's estimates were far above those estimated by the local department.
“We faced a similar situation with COPS funding for the years of 2003-2005,” Crounse recalled. But the county had to pay then, too. “We put in our most recent appeal and it was rejected. Currently, we are basically pleading to the state Office of Mental Health to see if we can get a reduction on what’s owed.”
Presently, Crounse said the county has set aside funding in the amount of $160,000 specifically for COPS take-back, leaving a difference of more than $130,000 that would still need to be taken from local share. He explained that amount may be paid to the state in one lump sum or in three installments paid over several months with zero percent interest.
While the county has yet to determine just how to pay its dues, Crounse said the department is in a pinch and exploring its options, though it's likely that funding will come from state Medicaid reimbursements paid to the county.
“There a lot of other counties that are in a similar situation,” added Crounse. “None of them are happy about these take-backs. It's tough times for all of us.”
New York State took steps to restructure the state’s health program in 2010, which changed COPS rates paid to municipalities with mental health clinics. COPS is no longer part of Medicaid reimbursements, said Crounse, meaning additional COPS take-backs shouldn’t be a concern in the future. This marks the last year when the state can collect Medicaid dues for the 2006-2008 period.
According to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the county received more than was due in medical reimbursement for outpatient services at the county's community mental hygiene service center, located on East River Road in Norwich. The state department claims the local center received a surplus totaling $293,409 in comprehensive outpatient program services (COPS) from 2006-2008.
COPS is a program which makes a provider of licensed mental health outpatient services eligible to receive supplemental medical assistance reimbursement (paid to providers through the Medicaid payment system) in exchange for provision of enhanced outpatient services.
Knowing of the chargeback last year, the county sought a repeal of the charges in August, citing possible miscalculations of reimbursements at the state level. Tom Crounse, administrative services officer at the Chenango County Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, said a the time the state's estimates were far above those estimated by the local department.
“We faced a similar situation with COPS funding for the years of 2003-2005,” Crounse recalled. But the county had to pay then, too. “We put in our most recent appeal and it was rejected. Currently, we are basically pleading to the state Office of Mental Health to see if we can get a reduction on what’s owed.”
Presently, Crounse said the county has set aside funding in the amount of $160,000 specifically for COPS take-back, leaving a difference of more than $130,000 that would still need to be taken from local share. He explained that amount may be paid to the state in one lump sum or in three installments paid over several months with zero percent interest.
While the county has yet to determine just how to pay its dues, Crounse said the department is in a pinch and exploring its options, though it's likely that funding will come from state Medicaid reimbursements paid to the county.
“There a lot of other counties that are in a similar situation,” added Crounse. “None of them are happy about these take-backs. It's tough times for all of us.”
New York State took steps to restructure the state’s health program in 2010, which changed COPS rates paid to municipalities with mental health clinics. COPS is no longer part of Medicaid reimbursements, said Crounse, meaning additional COPS take-backs shouldn’t be a concern in the future. This marks the last year when the state can collect Medicaid dues for the 2006-2008 period.
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