History and Purpose of Fannin County Hospital Authority
Fannin County Hospital Authority was established on October 29, 2012 pursuant to Chapter 264 of the Texas Health and Safety Code by the Commissioners Court of Fannin County. The purpose of the Fannin County Hospital Authority is to improve access to quality healthcare in Fannin County by participating in a supplemental payment program.
On January 1, 2013, the Fannin County Hospital Authority became the licensed operator of Red River Regional Hospital. On March 1, 2015, Texoma Medical Center, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, took over management of Red River Regional Hospital subject to the oversight and control of Fannin County Hospital Authority, which remains the licensed operator of the hospital. At that time, the name of the hospital was changed from Red River Regional Hospital to TMC (Texoma Medical Center) Bonham. The license for the hospital is held by Fannin County Hospital Authority; TMC is the management company and is responsible for day to day operations of the hospital. TMC and Fannin County Hospital Authority work together to provide innovation and improvement to healthcare in Fannin County.
The program that makes a partnership between a governmental non-profit authority and a for-profit private company possible is called the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement, Program 1115 Waiver, which preserved supplemental funding for hospitals. This supplemental funding for hospitals, available through the program, are distributed to hospitals and other providers to support uncompensated care costs by the hospital, an incentive payment program to incentivize and aid hospitals to transform their service delivery practices, to improve quality, health status, patient experience and cost-effectiveness. In order to participate in this program, a hospital must partner with a governmental entity which transfers public funds submitted to the State of Texas by the provider on the hospital’s behalf to serve as the non-federal share of the payment. TMC has used these funds to build a new emergency department, purchase new equipment, expand services and hire additional staff.
On January 1, 2013, the Fannin County Hospital Authority became the licensed operator of Red River Regional Hospital. On March 1, 2015, Texoma Medical Center, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, took over management of Red River Regional Hospital subject to the oversight and control of Fannin County Hospital Authority, which remains the licensed operator of the hospital. At that time, the name of the hospital was changed from Red River Regional Hospital to TMC (Texoma Medical Center) Bonham. The license for the hospital is held by Fannin County Hospital Authority; TMC is the management company and is responsible for day to day operations of the hospital. TMC and Fannin County Hospital Authority work together to provide innovation and improvement to healthcare in Fannin County.
The program that makes a partnership between a governmental non-profit authority and a for-profit private company possible is called the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement, Program 1115 Waiver, which preserved supplemental funding for hospitals. This supplemental funding for hospitals, available through the program, are distributed to hospitals and other providers to support uncompensated care costs by the hospital, an incentive payment program to incentivize and aid hospitals to transform their service delivery practices, to improve quality, health status, patient experience and cost-effectiveness. In order to participate in this program, a hospital must partner with a governmental entity which transfers public funds submitted to the State of Texas by the provider on the hospital’s behalf to serve as the non-federal share of the payment. TMC has used these funds to build a new emergency department, purchase new equipment, expand services and hire additional staff.
Fannin County Hospital Authority also participated in Health and Human Services UPL (Upper Payment Limits) Program and the MPAP (Minimum Payment Amount Program), and currently the QIPP (Quality Incentive Payment Program) for Long Term Care Facilities. Participation in this program is voluntary and mostly limited to Non-State Government Owned (NSGO) nursing facilities through a partnership with the Nursing Home Companies which happens as a result of the Hospital Authority becoming the owner and operator of participating nursing homes. The Fannin County Hospital Authority now owns the license for twenty-five nursing facilities located, by statute, within a 150-mile radius of the Hospital Authority. Under this program, Fannin County Hospital Authority retains fifty percent of awarded funds healthcare needs in Fannin County, while the Nursing Homes retain fifty percent to improve all aspects of the nursing homes such as staffing and upgrades to the physical plant. Fannin County Hospital Authority has, as its mission, the development of sustainable programs gained from the receipts of participation in the Governmental Programs, to improve the delivery of healthcare to the citizens of Fannin County through the goals established by the Board of Directors which is the governing body for the Hospital Authority.
The Board of Directors is comprised of seven unpaid board positions. Current directors are Clark Sanderson, President; Rick Sheddy, Vice-President, Wendy Keeton, Secretary; Directors Jason Walker, David Stapp, Sharee Owens and Monica Kissling. The FCHA Board members serve staggered terms from one to three years. If a board position is vacated, the Board may nominate persons to serve as directors. Four of the positions are filled by the Fannin County Hospital Authority Board itself, while three of the positions are appointed by the majority vote of the Fannin County Commissioners Court.
The Hospital Authority has no employees at this time; instead they have agreements with consultants to manage the day to day operations of the Authority. The Board presently consults with Trent Kreinke, Attorney with RCMH Law Group in Austin, Texas. Trent is an expert on the IGT programs and advises the board on issues concerning the operation of the board and its partners. A Professional CPA firm, chosen by the Board of Directors, prepares the annual audit of the Authority. Ecker Health Service is currently contracted with the Authority to oversee the duties as Program Director related to the government programs in which the authority participates. The statues that govern Medicare and Medicaid Programs are extremely complex and need continual monitoring and oversight in order to fully comply with the rules of the program. Ecker Health Service reports directly to the President of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is comprised of seven unpaid board positions. Current directors are Clark Sanderson, President; Rick Sheddy, Vice-President, Wendy Keeton, Secretary; Directors Jason Walker, David Stapp, Sharee Owens and Monica Kissling. The FCHA Board members serve staggered terms from one to three years. If a board position is vacated, the Board may nominate persons to serve as directors. Four of the positions are filled by the Fannin County Hospital Authority Board itself, while three of the positions are appointed by the majority vote of the Fannin County Commissioners Court.
The Hospital Authority has no employees at this time; instead they have agreements with consultants to manage the day to day operations of the Authority. The Board presently consults with Trent Kreinke, Attorney with RCMH Law Group in Austin, Texas. Trent is an expert on the IGT programs and advises the board on issues concerning the operation of the board and its partners. A Professional CPA firm, chosen by the Board of Directors, prepares the annual audit of the Authority. Ecker Health Service is currently contracted with the Authority to oversee the duties as Program Director related to the government programs in which the authority participates. The statues that govern Medicare and Medicaid Programs are extremely complex and need continual monitoring and oversight in order to fully comply with the rules of the program. Ecker Health Service reports directly to the President of the Board of Directors.
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In its mission to bring quality, sustainable healthcare services to Fannin County, the Hospital Authority Board chooses Board Members from all walks of life to gather representative input from its citizens. Fannin County Hospital Authority holds monthly meetings of the Board of Directors which are open to the public during Open Session. Meetings are posted at the Fannin County Courthouse and this Website 3 days prior to the meeting. Copies of the Minutes from the prior meeting and other documents related to the business of the Hospital Authority are available under the rules of the Public Information Act, Title 5, Open Government; Ethics, Subtitle 4, Chapter 552, Public Information. Please make written requests to Program Director, Fannin County Hospital Authority, PO Box 218, Bonham, TX 75418. |
