Mission Hospital at Risk of Losing Medicare and Medicaid Funding Due to Serious Care Deficiencies

Mission Hospital, a prominent healthcare facility in Asheville, North Carolina, is facing the possibility of losing its Medicare and Medicaid funding due to severe deficiencies in care that have posed immediate risks to patients’ health and safety. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recently conducted an inspection that concluded that the hospital failed to provide a safe environment for patients, resulting in delays and inadequate assessments, monitoring, and implementation of orders.

The deficiencies highlighted by the NCDHHS investigation are so serious that they have warranted the classification of “immediate jeopardy,” which is the most severe deficiency level for a hospital. In a letter to Mission CEO Chad Patrick, the NCDHHS recommended that the hospital lose its participation in Medicare unless prompt corrective actions are taken.

Immediate jeopardy situations are rare and signify noncompliance that places the health and safety of patients at serious risk of harm or even death. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets conditions for hospitals to receive payment for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and Mission Hospital has been found to be noncompliant in several key areas, including emergency services, nursing services, patients’ rights, and laboratory services.

Mission Hospital, which is owned by healthcare corporation HCA, is a vital healthcare facility for the region, serving a majority of patients who are on Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured. Failure to rectify the deficiencies identified by the NCDHHS could have significant financial implications for the hospital system.

Mission Hospital and HCA spokesperson Nancy Lindell acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and stated that the hospital is working on a plan of correction for CMS. They emphasized their commitment to providing exceptional care and pledged to diligently address the deficiencies.

The NCDHHS inspection was prompted by numerous complaints and spanned over three weeks. The investigation identified nine incidents in a span of 19 months that demonstrated deficiencies in care. Details of these incidents have not yet been made public.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has also been investigating Mission Hospital throughout 2023. Stein’s investigation is separate from the NCDHHS inspection and focuses on patient safety concerns and potential violations of an agreement related to cancer care and emergency services at Mission Hospital.

The findings of the NCDHHS inspection are a cause for alarm, according to Stein, and reinforce his concerns about the quality of care provided by HCA in Western North Carolina. Mission Hospital is the largest hospital west of Charlotte and serves as the region’s only Level 2 trauma center.

This recent development underscores the importance of addressing deficiencies in healthcare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. CMS will review the findings and issue a statement of deficiencies, while Mission Hospital has an opportunity to submit a plan of correction. The hospital must take prompt action to rectify the immediate jeopardy status and regain compliance.

This news has been reported by Asheville Watchdog, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to producing impactful stories for the community. Investigative reporter Andrew R. Jones has contributed to this report, shedding light on the serious concerns surrounding Mission Hospital and its potential impact on patient care and safety.