Congressional approval of an extension for the federal Medicare Dependent Hospital Program (MDH) last week means about $3.8 million more in reimbursements for Windham Hospital, the only MDH hospital in the entire state.
“Windham Hospital is a critical source of high-quality care for the Windham region,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), who is a cosponsor of the Rural Hospital Access Act that would permanently extend the MDH program, in a press release. “At a time when hospital financing has been in turmoil across Connecticut, this five-year recurring commitment will provide a sizable boost in stable revenue for Windham Hospital.”
The MDH program, which had expired on September 30, 2017, was extended retroactively and through 2022. It provides enhanced reimbursements for small hospitals with a high percentage of Medicare patients and was developed to improve the financial stability of hospitals serving older, rural populations.
“This will help Windham Hospital ensure that the people of eastern Connecticut have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Donna Handley, Windham president. “Reimbursement through the Medicare Dependent Hospital Program helps us fulfill our promise of providing high-quality, coordinated care.”