ABC-7 LISTENS: Care for nonresidents at UMC
University Medical Center is preparing for the start of the new fiscal year now that the El Paso county commissioners approved the hospital’s budget and tax rate on Monday.
Some ABC-7 viewers are questioning the use of taxpayer money when it comes to the care of those who don’t pay taxes to the county hospital — in particular, those who come from Mexico.
ABC-7 took their concerns to the chief financial officer of UMC.
Michael Nuez’s answer starts off simple enough.
“When patients do show up in our ER, regardless of their origin or ability to pay we are required to treat and stabilize them,” he said.
Nuez pointed out that UMC’s policy doesn’t allow the hospital to accept charity cases from Mexico. But the hospital does accept Mexicans’ cash.
“We do recoup almost 100% of the cost when it comes to babies born from across the border because they do pay cash,” said Nuez.
UMC budgeted $360 million for uncompensated care this fiscal year. That amount comprises those who pay cash and those who can’t pay.
Nuez said the real financial burden is not originating from across the border.
“One out of three people in El Paso County do not have health insurance and do have a need and come to our hospital,” he said. “Close to $90 million (of uncompensated costs in FY 2013) just came from El Paso County residents.”
Nuez said property taxes only cover 15 percent of the costs for uncompensated care. The rest is subsidized by Medicaid and reimbursements from those with insurance. Nuez calls them “funded” patients.
“By expanding orthopaedics, cardiology and OB-GYN services, we’ve become more attractive to the funded patients and that’s how we’ve been able to increase the funded patients coming to UMC.”
Nuez said the hope is to continue expanding services and bring more paying patients through the doors.
Monday, county commissioners approved UMC’s $532 million budget and the use of the effective tax rate, which is the same rate as last year. Due to property value changes –it will lead to you paying about 7 and a half dollars more on your property tax bill.
