CMS Terminates Medicare Agreement for Michigan Psychiatric Hospital
CMS will terminate Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Hospital's Medicare provider agreement effective Nov. 16, according to an Oct. 30 public notice, after finding the hospital failed to meet conditions of participation covering patients' rights, nursing services, physical environment and psychiatric hospital staffing and recordkeeping requirements. The hospital, owned by Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, is also under investigation by Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs over alleged violations, with records showing patients were transferred to another hospital at least 57 times between January and May, including transfers tied to falls, assaults, unexplained injuries and unresponsive patients. CMS will not pay for inpatient services for patients admitted on or after Nov. 16, though Medicare may continue paying up to 30 days of covered services for patients admitted before that date.