SAN ANTONIO Workers Compensation Doctor

BestDoctorsNetwork.com connects you with dedicated physicians who are highly experienced in assessing and treating workplace injuries, ensuring you receive personalized care and a clear path to recovery. Count on BestDoctorsNetwork.com to link you with the top San Antonio Workers' Compensation Doctor for expert medical assistance.

The Ten Best Wrongful Death Lawyers Near Me 2024

There are many different components that may modify the deadline for a wrongful death lawsuit. Once your NYC wrongful death attorney critiques your case, they'll help you pursue the suitable authorized remedy in a timely method. The grieving process is tough enough by itself, but sudden monetary pressure can additional complicate the situation. wrongful death attorney Army, where he served as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare Operations Specialist. Reina Gonzalez takes on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of shoppers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, McKinney and Rockwall counties. She uses her legal expertise to assist vulnerable shoppers by serving as Guardian advert litem and Attorney advert litem in a number of Dallas space courts. Pennsylvania’s no-fault workers’ compensation system means you don’t should show fault if you’re injured at work. But nonetheless, claims could be denied for numerous reasons—employers would possibly query the validity and severity of the accidents, or they could declare that it occurred exterior of labor. The guardian of an underage baby can file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. Clients have praised the firm's thoroughness, professionalism, and compassion all through the authorized course of. The lawyers at Pipella Law are identified for their dedication to reaching fair compe more... New York acknowledges wrongful death as one which arises from the wrongful or negligent conduct of another and one that may have resulted in a personal injury lawsuit if the victim had been alive. It can come up from various incidents corresponding to building accidents, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, defective product, police misconduct or slip and fall. Every jurisdiction in the United States measures this time in a matter of years. In some states, there are limits on how much you can declare for a death brought on by medical negligence. In truth, the cap on damages many states apply to medical negligence circumstances is far decrease than on other forms of compensation. Malpractice is any type of medical care that fails to meet the strange diploma of skilled skill that a doctor should normally abide by. Frequently, malpractice will involve a negligent act or omission that's answerable for inflicting an injury or illness to a patient. Ira S. Slavit, a principal attorney at Levine & Slavit, PLLC, has advocated for victims and their families since 1984. Throughout his profession, he has successfully represented shoppers in a extensive range of private damage claims, helping them recuperate meaningful compensation for their losses. His areas of expertise encompass medical malpractice, product legal responsibility, development accidents and premises legal responsibility circumstances. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making monetary and legal topics comprehensible and enjoyable. Her work has appeared on Forbes, CNN Underscored Money, Investopedia, Credit Karma, The Balance, USA Today, and Yahoo Finance, among others. If you delay filing till after the statute of limitations has handed, your declare is time barred and can't go ahead. As a plaintiff, you need to be sure you totally perceive what happened and who was responsible earlier than accepting a settlement. If you can't attain a satisfactory settlement agreement, you should pursue your case in courtroom. If you do agree to settle, you receive a fee however must surrender any future claims. Rob Crain began his authorized profession defending clients in opposition to personal damage claims. This expertise gave him firsthand experience in the methods used by protection attorneys. Since opening his agency in 2001, he has exclusively represented injured individuals and their households. His agency regularly takes on wrongful death cases, and just lately obtained a $142 million verdict in a deadly childcare negligence case. He has also taken on pro bono cases to help those who cannot afford authorized illustration, similar to when he represented a 9/11 World Trade Center victim looking for access to the September eleven fund. Because these funds are designed to compensate you for a loss, it's unfair to tax it as earnings. The first kind of compensation is essentially what would have been obtainable to the decedent had they survived. This usually includes compensation for pain and suffering as nicely as any medical bills associated to the decedent’s last sickness or damage. Courts allow these claims to go ahead given barring them would basically award a personal harm defendant if their sufferer dies from their wounds. First, these instances can recuperate compensation for claims the decedent accrued before their death. Second, a wrongful death plaintiff could additionally see compensation for his or her losses brought on by the death of their beloved one. florida wrongful death attorney Wrongful death laws in Texas enable surviving family members to seek compensation when the death of their loved one outcomes from someone else’s negligence, wrongful actions or omissions. Consulting with a talented attorney can present priceless insight into your obtainable choices. We’ve pulled collectively 10 of the top wrongful death lawyers in San Antonio, TX, who can help you. A survival motion is another kind of lawsuit you'll have the ability to file after a wrongful death. This motion allows the estate of the deceased to get compensation for medical bills incurred due to an damage that eventually resulted in a wrongful death.

Navigating Private Health Quotes and Workers' Compensation Policies in Dallas with Kang Group Services

As a business owner or an individual seeking comprehensive private health quotes in Dallas and robust workers' compensation policies, navigating the intricate landscape of insurance options can be daunting. With numerous providers and policies available, finding the right fit for your specific needs requires careful consideration and expert guidance.

Enter Kang Group Services, a leading insurance brokerage firm specializing in tailoring insurance solutions to meet the unique requirements of businesses and individuals in the Dallas area. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the intricacies of securing private health quotes and workers' compensation policies with Kang Group Services.

Private Health Quotes in Dallas:

When it comes to private health insurance, Dallas residents have a plethora of options to choose from. However, selecting the right plan involves more than just comparing premiums. Kang Group Services understands the importance of personalized coverage that aligns with your healthcare needs and budgetary constraints.

Needs Assessment: Kang Group Services begins by conducting a thorough needs assessment to understand your healthcare requirements. Factors such as family size, pre-existing conditions, preferred doctors, and budget are taken into account to recommend suitable plans.

Plan Comparison: With access to a wide network of insurance providers, Kang Group Services compares multiple private health insurance plans available in Dallas. This includes evaluating coverage benefits, a network of healthcare providers, prescription drug coverage, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Kang Group Services strives to find cost-effective solutions without compromising on coverage quality. Whether you're looking for comprehensive coverage or a high-deductible plan paired with a health savings account (HSA), they will help you navigate the options to find the best value for your investment.

Assistance with Enrollment: From completing enrollment forms to clarifying policy details, Kang Group Services offers full assistance throughout the enrollment process. Their team of experienced professionals ensures a seamless transition to your chosen health insurance plan.

Ongoing Support: Beyond enrollment, Kang Group Services provides ongoing support to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your private health insurance coverage. They serve as your advocate in navigating claims, understanding policy changes, and exploring additional coverage options.

Workers' Compensation Policies in Dallas:

For businesses operating in Dallas, having adequate workers' compensation coverage is essential to protect both employees and the company's interests. Kang Group Services specializes in crafting customized workers' compensation policies tailored to the unique risks faced by businesses in various industries.

Risk Assessment: Kang Group Services conducts a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential workplace hazards and assess the specific needs of your business. This includes evaluating factors such as industry type, employee job roles, past claim history, and compliance requirements.

customized Coverage Solutions: Based on the risk assessment, Kang Group Services designs customized workers' compensation policies that provide comprehensive coverage for work-related injuries and illnesses. This may include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation services, and disability benefits.

Compliance Assistance: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of workers' compensation laws can be challenging for businesses. Kang Group Services offers expert guidance to ensure compliance with state regulations and requirements, minimizing the risk of fines or penalties.

Claims Management: In the event of a workplace injury or illness, Kang Group Services facilitates efficient claims management processes. Their dedicated claims specialists work closely with both employers and employees to expedite claim resolution and ensure timely benefits delivery.

Ongoing Evaluation and Adjustments: As your business evolves, Kang Group Services conducts regular evaluations of your workers' compensation policy to ensure it remains aligned with your changing needs. They proactively recommend adjustments or enhancements to coverage to address emerging risks.

In conclusion, Kang Group Services is your trusted partner for navigating the complexities of private health insurance quotes and worker's compensation policies in Dallas. With their personalized approach, extensive expertise, and commitment to client satisfaction, they empower individuals and businesses to make informed insurance decisions that protect their health and financial well-being. Contact Kang Group Services today to embark on a journey towards comprehensive insurance coverage tailored to your needs.

Pre-cursors/ Creation of "Blues" 1800s-1930s

Medicine was practiced primarily at home; doctors did not provide primary care but instead had private practices on a fee-for-service basis, coming in to conduct surgeries on occasion

This meant costs were low and most patients were able to pay out of pocket

However, in the latter half of the 19th century America industrialized and work became more dangerous causing more accidents, injuries, and deaths.

Visits to hospitals increased along with the length of hospital stays.

A major concern of workers at the time was the loss of wages during injuries, which could lead to financial problems for their families

1880’s-1920’s: In response employers and workers set up Industrial sickness funds, where workers would chip in parts of their salaries to group funds that would be used to pay off medical bills and compensate for lost wages of injured workers.

Industrial sickness funds worked as a precursor to employment-based health insurance seen today

Workers at the time had also organized together and advocated workmen’s compensation legislation

Workmen’s compensation legislation would hold employers financially responsible, including payment of medical bills, for workplace injuries found to be caused by “negligent” working conditions

In response employers and state governments create workers’ compensation insurance. Where employers buy insurance policies through the state government for employees, but upon purchase they are no longer liable for workplace injury lawsuits, since insurance guarantees a “non-negligent” workplace

1910-1915: 32 states pass workmen’s compensation insurance legislation

Post-WW1: Organized labor such as the American Federation of Labor advocates for compulsory insurance legislation along the framework of workmen’s compensation, a possible precursor to universal healthcare, however their efforts fail due to a lack of political support

1929: Dallas Teachers come together under their union and contact Baylor University hospital and create a pre-paid system for hospital visits, where teachers chip in 50 cents a month to a fund that pays for hospital services but not physicians. This comes to be known as Blue Cross plans

Following the great depression hospitals across the country have record low levels of utilization, and thus record low profits.

1930’s: hospitals across the country begin adopting Blue Cross Plans

In response to hospital adopting Blue Cross, physicians come together to create Blue Sheild, which was used the framework of Blue Cross plans but for physician services. Blue Sheild plans also stipulated that patients had the right to choose any doctor. Blue Sheild plans also paid patients the cost of the services covered, and the patients would then pay the doctors.

1933: although originally not thought first as insurance Blue Cross/Blue Sheild plans were found to be legally insurance by the New York State Government. However, Blue Cross/Blue Sheild plans were able to avoid state taxes by maintaining non-profit status until the 80s

1935: Franklin Delano Roosevelt decides not to include a health insurance provision in the Social Security Act because of its minimal political support and anxiety over avoiding additional backlash against the legislation which it had already plenty of

How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Back Injury in Texas?

Back injuries are a frequent complaint in worker’s compensation cases. The symptoms of a back injury can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that may force you to take time off work. In extreme cases, you might deal with chronic back pain for the rest of your life. Having an expert Personal Injury Lawyers Dallas in your corner can help you handle complex matters such as investigation, negotiations, and lawsuits on your behalf. 

Hence, it is not wrong to wonder how much compensation you will get for an on-the-job back injury.

The average settlement for a back injury

The average compensation for back injuries in 2020 was $23,600 as per the analysis of workers who received settlements for workplace accidents. The amount is slightly higher than the mean settlement for all types of on-the-job injuries, which came out to be $21,800.

It is important to note that the amount that an individual receives for their back injuries can vary significantly, as the final compensation often gets influenced by numerous factors that differ from case to case.

Factors affecting back injury settlement amounts

- The nature and severity of the injury

- Amount of lost income

- Disability

- Injury’s effect on earning capability of the person

- The circumstances surrounding the injury

Most common reasons for suffering back injury

Trips, slips, and falls

More than one-third of all work injuries result from trips, slips, and falls. Trips slip and fall injuries include head, back, and neck injuries. Broken bones, pulled muscles, sprains, and cuts result from trips, slips, and falls.

The most common reasons for such types of injuries are:

Slips: Wet or oily surfaces, occasional spills, loose rugs, and weather hazards like an icy walkway

Trips: Uneven walking surfaces, uncovered cables, poor lighting, etc.

Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries

The most costly work injuries are musculoskeletal. Out of all other injuries, back pain costs employers more than 7 billion dollars annually in the country. The complaint also leads to more than 100 million lost workdays annually. 

Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries contribute to loss of productivity and millions of dollars as annual health benefit payout costs.

Repetitive stress injuries are the fastest-growing category of work injuries, and it comprises more than 100 different types of work injuries.

Repetitive stress injuries are severe enough to inhibit simple activities with debilitating pain and crippling. These injuries can impair a worker’s ability to perform their job permanently.

Steps to take if you got injured on the job

The following steps guide what to do if you or your loved one got injured on the job.

Report the accident and injury

Employees or workers need to report an injury to an employer without causing any delays. In many work injury cases, employers and workers' compensation insurance companies will deny the compensation claim if not report the injury promptly.

Inform your doctor that the injury is work-related

It is essential to notify your doctor that the injury suffered is work-related in your very first consultation. You should also make sure that the doctor records the accidents and injuries in your medical notes from the first visit. 

In many work injury cases, the employers and workers' compensation insurance companies will deny the compensation claim if the first medical note does not include a notation that the injuries suffered were work injuries.

Present a written notice to your employer

Provide written notice to your employer without making any delays. Make sure to keep a copy of the notice for your records. 

Hire a workers compensation attorney to represent you in your claim

Navigating through the worker's compensation law would be confusing and stressful, especially when suffering injuries. Having an workers compensation lawyer in Texas in your corner will be your best bet to recover the compensation you deserve for the work injuries suffered.

To conclude:

More than 70% of workers suffering from back injuries hire an attorney to represent them. Hiring an attorney is a sensible option, given the complex nature of a worker’s compensation case. They would also give you an accurate idea of the amount you can recover as compensation for your back injury.

What does an occupational therapist do?

Occupational therapists are the mechanical engineers of human movement. These often overlooked healthcare team members utilize their skills and expertise to build a “roadmap” for a patient’s healthy, active lifestyle.

Occupational therapists help patients cope with injuries, illness, or other health conditions that limit their ability to participate in activities or occupations they want or need to do daily. Occupational therapy is used when conventional treatments such as medication, surgery, physical therapy, and exercises have been tried first and proven ineffective. Occupational therapists work in many settings, including private practices, hospitals/medical rehab centers, nursing homes/long-term care facilities, and schools.

Fundamenta. Occupational therapy is a health professional who works with individuals of all ages to improve mobility, ease pain and prevent future illness or injury. An occupational therapist may help people with physical disabilities or take over the job of a family member with an on-the-job injury, chronic pain, or any illness that might render them unable to function independently.

What doctors do! Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. Occupational therapists work with doctors to create a treatment plan. Occupational therapists also work regularly with injured or ill patients in the workplace through rehabilitation plans that can be offered to companies wishing to reduce their workers’ compensation liability and insurance premiums. l to the process of occupational therapy is the patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, eating, and traveling. Occupational therapists employ a variety of equipment and resources to help individuals achieve their goals. They develop customized treatment programs using a combination of activities and educational strategies (occupation-oriented teaching) in a manner that evaluates progress on an ongoing basis. Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX is an interdisciplinary team approach that requires physical, occupational, and behavioral skills of the therapist and collaboration among all healthcare team members.

Workers Compensation Lawyer to Deal with Insurance Companies

An experienced attorney can assist victims of workplace injuries in obtaining their benefits. Here's how a workers' compensation lawyer can help you.

You have good reason to be concerned about the on-the-job injury that has left you in pain and out of work. Creditors are calling at frequent hours of the day and night. Because of your injury, you may never be able to return to your previous job. Even if you do, how will you pay all of your bills?

Unfortunately, many people will find themselves in this situation. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case. There is a way to get the money you need to pay your bills, get proper medical treatment, and move on from your workplace injury. How?

Hire an experienced Texas workers Compensation Lawyer. Hiring an attorney for your workers' claim and doing it all by yourself can make a huge difference between being successful or losing out on benefits to which you may be entitled.

Why hire the best workers' compensation attorney?

Reviving claim after denial

Some people believe that obtaining workers' compensation will be simple. After all, they have a stellar work history; the co-workers witnessed the injury and the accident and even sought treatment from a reputable doctor. Despite these considerations, many of these people will face a harsh reality when their workers' compensation claim is denied. Only then do they consider hiring a workers compensation lawyer.

A good lawyer can build a much stronger case for your compensation than you can. It is because they know the evidence that must be gathered to compel the insurance company to make a fair settlement offer.

For example, an attorney may know that it is best to schedule an appointment for you with specific physicians who have dealt with your type of injury in the past. They know that the doctors will provide detailed medical records admissible in court.

An attorney can also arrange for the recording of depositions of your doctors and other medical experts who may be required for the case.

Helping when the insurance company asserts that your injury is not compensable.

If your employer's insurance company claims that your injury is not compensable, the insurance company attempts to argue that your injury does not meet your state's workers' compensation coverage requirements.

 This may or may not be correct, but seeking legal counsel is the simplest way to understand your options moving forward. Because the term is ambiguous and leaves room for interpretation, this reasoning has a high risk of misapplying.

Working with a Workers Compensation Lawyer Dallas  will help you understand the nature of your injury as it relates to your state's law. 

Despite your employer's insurance company's claims, you may discover that you have several options for moving forward and pursuing compensation. A basic understanding of state statutes and the legal claim process can help paint a clearer picture of your situation.

Leveling the playing field to negotiate better with the insurance company

Dealing with the insurance company is one of the more challenging aspects of self-representation in a workers' compensation case. While the insurance company's lawyers have probably handled hundreds of cases, this is most likely your first. As a result, you may be unaware of some of the routine maneuvers they may attempt.

However, an experienced workers' compensation attorney will be aware. They will be well aware that when the insurance company announces that "this is the final offer, take it or leave it," they are only trying to scare you into signing an agreement to receive fewer benefits than you are entitled to.

Good workers comp lawyers know what the law says you're entitled to and how much you should get. They also recognize when the other side is bluffing and will not yield to pressure.

An experienced attorney will continue to work on your behalf until you have received every possible benefit under the law.

Improving your chances in court

Not every workers' compensation case gets resolved in an office conference room, and some cases are heard in front of a judge. It can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult to manage for someone representing themselves. It can also be challenging to present the case in the best possible light.

After all, are you going to feel like chasing down witnesses, digging up medical records, or filing petitions and motions if you're recovering from an illness or injury?

The insurance company's attorneys will do everything they can to keep you buried under a mountain of legal paperwork. It is because they know your lack of legal knowledge will work in their favor. They are confident that you will make a mistake that will jeopardize your case at some point.

So why take that risk? Skilled workers comp lawyers can assist you in navigating the legal system and obtaining the settlement you deserve.

To Conclude:

We've covered seven of the most important advantages of hiring a workers' compensation attorney, but there are many more.

Regardless, hiring an experienced Workers Compensation Lawyers will provide you with an immediate ally who will patiently listen to your story. They will also explain each step of the journey, calm your nerves if you are worried about the outcome, and celebrate with you when you reach your goal together.

Don't try to take on the insurance company's lawyers on your own. Bring along an experienced legal professional. Hire a workers' compensation lawyer right away on thetexasattorney.com

Best Doctors Network Dallas is such a workers’ compensation network that provides the best diagnostic and comprehensive medical Services for all the injured employees. Our goal is improved productivity and better employee health through prevention, aggressive injury management. Call now: (214) 638-5100

Keeping The Best In Texas By Offering Health Insurance Benefits

All small and medium-sized enterprises across Dallas, Huston, and Textile have attracted high-quality individual employees who contribute to the growth and success of the company. Many large corporate owners are obedient in order to hire and retain these people.

There are ways to provide health care to employees, especially if the company is small, especially if it has less than 10 employees. In most states, it is small. The health insurance plan for the group is to keep the employer at 100% of qualified employees 

Before health insurance

It is high. Who

When a worker is needed

The amount you choose to pay depends on your own circumstances. First, your contribution will affect your forecasts. Think about it. Next, it is better for current and future employees.

many

Planning design

There are three main types of health insurance: management care, priority provider, and service fee. Your business. The best plan is mainly for your business location, doctors and hospitals available through the plan, and services provided by the Machete.

Management Doke

The management plan is an agreement between specific doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers, and it provides low cost to various services. be or have been designed Ni Let 's that provides in the door. While the value over di-de-care-flops run-usually, be. 

· Most will be paid by the member for medical care, as long as the member uses  preferred providers and facilities. If the member goes out of the network, the member may be responsible for paying the full amount.

· In addition, the member must select a primary care physician and meet the person first, whenever a doctor's consultation is required. The Primer will provide the necessary referrals to a specialist.

・ In the case of HMO, usually visit M

Priority provider

The preferred provider plan, known as  negotiates a price discount with a medical provider. They accept the discount. We call our healthcare providers "network" providers. , if you are using a network provider, Of the employees

・ HMO member ,,, PPO member OO ,,,,,,

・ PPO Normal Network 

 In some cases, prior approval may be required for surgery or expensive diagnostic tests.

Service fee

In the service fee plan, which is also called the compensation plan, the employees can choose the medical provider on their own. Therefore, the specialist in the heart. A wide range of choices, including specialists such as physicians and surgeons, are offered. However, these plans are low cost to the members. Plans are expensive because they do not provide an initiative to use a bidder. Some health care companies have a low maximum benefit and / In addition, by imposing a fee table, the cost of service fees is limited. Like other medical services.

Check the insurance company

The services provided have a direct impact on each employee, so in addition to choosing the appropriate group health insurance, the insurance association should be selected. It is also important to choose. Good health care provider's network, timely insurance claim support

We also provide information on these matters.

This 19-Year-Old Aspiring Doctor Proves the American Dream Is Not Only Available to Americans

It has been an unforgiving summer in El Paso, Texas. Weeks of temperatures above 100 degrees have forced the desert city’s swamp cooler–style air conditioners to work overtime to compete with the demands of the heat. Everyone is working hard on the border.

Ronaldo “Ronnie” Lopez is one of those people. Ronnie, a biology major at the University of Texas at El Paso, met with Teen Vogue at a Barnes & Noble on a Tuesday night and explained how he dreams of being a doctor while eyeing a stack of medical books on display. The 19-year-old was tired but contented, smiling warmly.

Ronnie’s father is American, and his mother is a legal resident of the United States, a green card holder from Zacatecas, Mexico. Ronnie’s parents lived in Juárez for a number of years, and, according to Ronnie, his father insisted that he and his five younger siblings be born in the U.S., despite his mother’s fears of possible deportation. Today, Ronnie says his mother still fears possible persecution.

Ronnie is a member of a migrant family and understands the challenges of this lifestyle from both sides of the border. During the summers, he and his family would travel to Dallas, where his parents would pick cotton and corn for U.S. textile companies.

“My mom has a lot of friends in Dallas, and they would tell her about the work,” Ronnie tells Teen Vogue. “So when we migrated over here. Even though I was a U.S. citizen, I didn’t speak English, I was dark. Obviously, people initially thought, ‘He’s not from here.’ I was born here, but I’m obviously not from here.”

Ronnie explains that the children of migrant workers are raised in extreme conditions that include heat and exhausting hours, and his experience has been no different. Long days that begin at 2 or 3 in the morning turn into late nights that end after the sun goes down, sometimes after 8 p.m. during the desert summers. There aren't sufficient regulations to protect the migrant community from inhaling pesticides at work, there's very little compensation, and there's almost no respect. And yet, families persist.

Continue reading

📸: Courtesy of Ronnie Lopez and family

A Helpful Book About Finding the Top Doctor for Work Injuries in Dallas

When it comes to workplace injuries, finding the right medical care is crucial. In Dallas, Texas, navigating the workers' compensation system can be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with an injury. That's why finding a reliable Workers Compensation Doctor Dallas is essential for your recovery and ensuring you receive the care and compensation you deserve.

Understanding Workers' Compensation

Before delving into how to find the best doctor, let's briefly discuss what workers' compensation entails. Workers' compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees who are injured on the job. In Texas, employers are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance, but many choose to do so voluntarily.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Doctor

Selecting the right doctor for your workers' compensation claim can significantly impact the outcome of your case. A knowledgeable and experienced physician can properly diagnose your injury, develop a treatment plan, and provide necessary documentation to support your claim. Conversely, choosing the wrong doctor can lead to delays in treatment, inadequate care, and potential challenges in receiving benefits.

How to Find a Workers Compensation Doctor in Dallas

1. Research Online

Start your search by browsing online directories or using search engines to find Workers Compensation Doctors in Dallas. Look for doctors who specialize in treating workplace injuries and have positive reviews from previous patients.

2. Check Credentials

Ensure that the doctor you choose is board-certified in their field and licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas. Verify their credentials through the Texas Medical Board website to ensure they are in good standing.

3. Consider Experience

Look for a doctor who has experience treating a variety of work-related injuries, including those specific to your industry. An experienced physician will be familiar with the workers' compensation process and can provide valuable guidance throughout your recovery.

4. Evaluate Communication

Effective communication between you and your doctor is essential for ensuring you receive the care you need. Choose a doctor who takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your diagnosis and treatment options in a clear and understandable manner.

5. Seek Recommendations

Ask friends, family members, or coworkers who have been through the workers' compensation process for recommendations. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into a doctor's bedside manner, expertise, and overall quality of care.

Conclusion

Finding the best Dallas Workers Compensation Doctor is a critical step in ensuring you receive proper medical care and support during your recovery. By researching online, checking credentials, considering experience, evaluating communication, and seeking recommendations, you can find a doctor who will advocate for your health and well-being.

Top 3 Things To Expect While Hiring Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers

If someone else’s negligence wrongfully injured you, it is your right to compensate for the loss you suffered due to the accident. At such times it is natural to have tons of questions crossing your mind about hiring personal injury lawyers, and the answer to most of the questions most of the time is yes.

Expert lawyers have the skills to fight for your rights. It is a boon to have a talented injury lawyer in your corner to fight for your rights while recovering from your injuries. These top 3 things should be considered and expected while hiring Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers.

Top 3 things to expect

When you go on the internet and search for a “personal injury lawyer near me” for your case, you will be shocked to see the number of lawyers that claim themselves as the best. Here are the basic 3 things that you should expect from your potential lawyer.

Your potential lawyer should understand your case: Who, What, Where, When, and Why

The lawyer you are willing to hire should fully understand your case by discussing it in detail and asking tons of questions surrounding your case before they proceed with any legal action.

Explaining your role in the case

You play a vital role in your case. At your first consultation, you should expect your potential lawyer to explain your part in the case and the steps you need to take to ensure a successful outcome. During your case, things you need to do are :

Keep track of appointments,

meet your doctor regularly, and

Do not lie; be transparent in every step of the process.

Regular communication

You do not want to sit in the dark and have no idea about your case. Your lawyer should treat you like his priority and regularly communicate with you about your health and injury improvements and the case’s progress.

The personal injury cases that Personal Injuries Lawyers take.

1) Pedestrian Accident – A considerable number of drivers completely ignore looking out for pedestrians standing near a road or crossing an intersection. A driver's ignorance and carelessness can lead to a preventable pedestrian accident. Victims of such pedestrian accidents have complete rights to seek full recovery for injuries as compensation caused by such careless drivers.

2) Car accidents – A car crash can easily turn your life upside down. Suppose due to another driver’s negligence on the streets; injuries are caused to you. In that case, Dallas personal injuries lawyers can get you the maximum compensation for the injuries you have suffered. A lawyer can review and understand your accident’s details and discuss the legal options you have.

3) Death due to Accident – A lawyer is the best person to have by your side, helping you in your difficult times after you suffered the loss of your dear one. The Personal Injury Lawyers Dallas Texas also assist you in taking legal actions if your loved one lost his life due to someone else’s negligence and wrongful act.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help for On-The-Job Injury?

Construction works involve handling heavy machinery and dangerous equipment and climbing to great heights to do their job. Therefore, construction work is demanding and challenging. Even after taking enough of the safety measures and precautions, construction accidents occur, resulting in workers’ injuries while working on their jobs.

If you have sustained an injury while in your workplace or had an accident in your workplace, which resulted from someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. It is advisable to approach the texas personal injury lawyers in Dallas. A lawyer can help you recover compensation for the damages, including lost wages and medical bills.

A Dallas personal injury lawyer will do the necessary communications with the workers’ comp on your behalf, gather the required medical evidence supporting your claim, negotiate the best settlement, which is your right, and speak for you at the workers’ comp hearing. The lawyer will help you build up your case and show you the right legal path to get the justice you deserve.

To conclude –

It is essential to contact Personal Injury Lawyers Dallas in case of accident or medical malpractice when you got injured due to someone else’s negligent act. You should make no delays in reaching the lawyer because filing a timely claim improves the chance of a favorable outcome.

Hiring Workers Comp Lawyers Dallas for Slip and Fall Injury Cases

Have you met with slip and fall injuries at your workplace? You are wondering what to do next. Know how to hire a lawyer who will help you.

Workers' compensation provides service or aid to workers injured during working hours. It may also include physical injuries, diseases, and mental health conditions. Compensation can include lost wages as well as medical and rehabilitation costs. 

One of the most vital aspects of employee compensation is that employers pay the benefits of work-related injuries regardless of the error.

A workers' compensation lawyer provides legal services to those injured due to another person. The principal function of the worker compensation law in Dallas is to act as a barrier between their represented client and anyone who can make their healing process difficult. 

Workers Comp Lawyers Dallas protects their clients' legal rights and provides relevant information to all requesting parties to the police and defense attorneys.

Workers' Compensation benefits Scheme

The state workers' compensation schemes offer a variety of benefits. These include:

Medical: It includes appropriate and necessary treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses.

Temporary Partial: If a person is prevented from doing their job due to injury or illness but still in the position to perform a different job, this may provide benefits to cover job loss or income.

Temporary Total: A person temporarily unable to work part-time may receive benefits equal to a percentage of their usual wages.

Permanent Partial: If illness or injury prevents a person from returning to his previous job, but not from a different, low-paying job, he may qualify for compensation for losing his job.

Permanent Partial: This compensates for an unfit person who cannot return to any employment.

Death: It provides compensation and funeral benefits to the deceased's family because of a work-related injury or illness.

Slip and fall injuries can be minor to extremely severe, such as sprains or bruises, to catastrophic or even fatal injuries. What kind of benefits may be available depends on the circumstances of each claim. You may ask your Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer for more information.

What to do if had a slip and fall accident at the working site?

If you have experienced an injury on a slippery slope, you should start preparing for workers' compensation as soon as possible. Essential steps in this process include:

Seeking medical help: Do not miss going to the hospital or doctor. It may be essential for an employee compensation claim, depending on your employer and the region you belong to. But it is a good idea no matter what the legal requirements. It will also provide you with the details of your injury, which you will need in your application.

Recordkeeping: You should keep all the prescriptions you receive from your doctor or the hospital, and any follow-up appointments, physical therapy, or other treatments you received for injuries. Ask the witnesses for their account of what happened. See if any security cameras were likely to record the accident or if anyone had a smartphone nearby and what happened while taking it.

Report an injury to your employer: Most employers expect you to communicate your injury before applying for workers' compensation. Your documents may contain information on procedures for reporting work-related injuries. Workers comp lawyers are the best people who can help you with further claim procedures.

To do all the deadlines for the workers' compensation claim: You have limited time to file a claim for your district workers' compensation scheme. There will be additional deadlines for providing additional information when requested or complained about the denial of benefits.

What are the benefits of hiring an attorney?

There are several benefits of hiring workers comp lawyers Texas. First and foremost, they know about local laws and regulations that may affect your case. In addition, they will have a better understanding of the parties involved in the relevant claim likewise what information you should disclose to them.

The workers comp lawyers Texas analyzes the unique and possible legal issue and gives you an idea of ​​what to expect when your case is under hearing.

What are the expenses of hiring a workers compensation attorney?

Is anyone else at fault for your accident? If so, you can hire a lawyer for "emergency money." It means you do not pay unless you win.

Workers Comp Lawyers will pay even for previous costs that you will not have to repay. For this reason, it is cheaper to pursue a case with a lawyer than to do it yourself.

Slide and fall cases are exceptionally complex legal strategies. Unless you are an experienced lawyer in this field, you probably do not understand all the rules for sliding and falling in your province.

Conclusion

The risk of slipping and falling is undoubtedly a serious matter. Doubtlessly, you have to talk to a lawyer. Instead of waiting and delaying your benefits, connect now. Although the injury may seem minor at first, future financial and non-financial costs may be significant. The experienced Workers comp lawyers Dallas can help you get the right help.

If you are injured, a slip and fall attorney can work to get a damages award. If you have been negligent, the Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers may determine if you have any protection based on the details of your case while defending your rights.

Despite Covid, Many Wealthy Hospitals Had a Banner Year With Federal Bailout

Last May, Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest nonprofit hospital system in Texas, laid off 1,200 employees and furloughed others as it braced for the then-novel coronavirus to spread. The cancellation of lucrative elective procedures as the hospital pivoted to treat a new and less profitable infectious disease presaged financial distress, if not ruin. The federal government rushed $454 million in relief funds to help shore up its operations.

This story also ran on The Washington Post. It can be republished for free.

But Baylor not only weathered the crisis, it thrived. By the end of 2020, Baylor had accumulated an $815 million surplus, $20 million more than it had in 2019, creating a 7.5% operating margin that would be the envy of most other hospitals in the flushest of eras, a KHN examination of financial statements shows.

Like Baylor, some of the nation’s richest hospitals and health systems recorded hundreds of millions of dollars in surpluses after accepting the lion’s share of the federal health care bailout grants, their records show. Those included the Mayo Clinic, Pittsburgh’s UPMC and NYU Langone Health. But poorer hospitals — many serving rural and minority populations — got a tinier slice of the pie and limped through the year with deficits, downgrades of their bond ratings and bleak fiscal futures.

“A lot of the funding helped the wealthy hospitals at a time, especially in New York, when safety-net hospitals were hemorrhaging,” said Colleen Grogan, a health policy professor at the University of Chicago. “We could have tailored it to hospitals we knew were really suffering and taking on a disproportionate amount of the burden.”

In Baylor’s case, the system, which runs Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and 51 other hospitals, said it spent $257 million last year on pandemic-related costs, including protective clothing for employees and patients and creating isolation rooms. Baylor has $197 million in unspent federal relief funds to use this year to cover costs of battling the virus and refrigerating vaccines, it said.

<![CDATA[ window.addEventListener('message', function(event) { if (typeof event.data['datawrapper-height'] !== 'undefined') { var iframes = document.querySelectorAll('iframe'); for (var chartId in event.data['datawrapper-height']) { for (var i=0; i

“Our covid-19-related expenses and lost revenue continue to exceed the funding we have received to date,” Baylor said in a statement to KHN.

Other well-heeled hospitals or large systems faced bigger problems. Both NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and CommonSpirit Health, a 140-hospital Catholic system that operates in 21 states, lost money despite federal grants in the vicinity of a billion dollars each. A few systems, including the for-profit chain HCA Healthcare, returned federal funds when they saw they had skirted their worst-case scenarios. But most spent the aid and held onto any leftover money and new grants to cover anticipated pandemic costs this year because hospital executives fear more case spikes.

Much of the lopsided distribution was caused by the way the Department of Health and Human Services based the allotment of the initial bailout funds on hospitals’ past revenue. That favored institutions with well-off patients who have private health plans over those that rely on lower-paying government insurance, which is what many poor people use.

HHS distribution formulas did not take into account which hospitals had enough assets to survive.

Baylor, for instance, began 2020 with $5.4 billion in cash and investments, enough to keep it running for 238 days, the financial disclosures show.

Hospitals that ended the year with profits were entitled to federal aid because of the extraordinary latitude Congress and HHS set in how hospitals could classify their pandemic costs.

Last fall, when HHS attempted to limit how much aid hospitals could keep based on their profits — so the money could be redirected to struggling hospitals — the effort was swiftly beaten back by the industry and Congress. HHS officials declined requests for an interview but noted in a statement that Congress had ordered it to revert to its “broader definition of permissible use of PRF funds.”

“The Biden Administration continues to review programs and policies including considerations for the unallocated funding under the PRF program and the $8.5 billion recently appropriated under the recently signed American Rescue Plan Act,” the statement said.

Avoiding a Drawdown of Reserves

The bailouts were initiated last spring to help health care providers ride out a once-in-a-century public health calamity. The money designated to hospitals and other health care providers from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent legislation totaled $178 billion.

It was intended to offset all costs of treating infected patients, including purchasing ventilators, masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment. Congress further authorized hospitals to use the money to compensate for a drop in revenue when they shut down elective surgeries and non-emergency treatments to prepare for the anticipated deluge of covid-19 patients.

The money, referred to as the Provider Relief Fund, helped many poorer hospitals avert cash crunches, layoffs and bond rating downgrades. A survey by the consulting firm Kaufman Hall found that the median hospital gain during 2020 would have been 0.3% without the federal support. With it, half of hospitals posted gains of 2.7% or more, below the 2019 median margin of 3.1%, according to the firm, which also produces analytic work for the American Hospital Association.

In February, the association urged Congress to replenish the nearly empty relief fund, saying, “hospitals have never experienced such a widespread, national health crisis.”

Some hospitals’ finances deteriorated significantly during the pandemic. From the end of March through December, the rating agency Moody’s downgraded 28 hospitals, primarily because of weaknesses such as higher debt or more competition, said Lisa Goldstein, associate managing director at Moody’s.

Others suffered worse fates, like Williamson Memorial Hospital, which shut down last April. The hospital, in West Virginia’s coal country, had been trying to climb out of bankruptcy protection, but “unfortunately, the decline in volumes experienced from the current pandemic were to[o] sudden and severe for us to sustain operations,” its CEO wrote on Facebook.

Conversely, many prosperous health systems emerged unscathed from the moratoriums of last spring, often due to the federal aid. “It gave them an ability to not have to draw down on their reserves to make up for the loss in revenue,” said Suzie Desai, a senior director at S&P Global Ratings.

Systems saw patient visits return to near normal as the year wore on. In some cases, business in the latter half of 2020 was even higher than in the same period in 2019 because of pent-up demand for treatments postponed from the spring, financial records show.

“We saw volumes spring back” in every area except emergency room visits, said Kevin Holloran, a senior director at Fitch Ratings. Major hospital systems also reported that cases tended to be more complex than normal, leading to higher insurance payments.

UPMC accepted $460 million in bailout funds while collecting $2.5 billion more in revenue in 2020 than in 2019. The nonprofit system ended the year with an $836 million operating surplus — providing a 3.6% margin that was triple the prior year’s — in part due to the growth of the health insurance plan the system owns.

Other hospitals that sold insurance, including Baylor, persevered because the cause of their financial troubles — fewer surgeries and doctors’ visits — meant the health plans paid fewer claims.

UPMC’s strong finances went unmentioned in a recent fundraising pitch announcing the launch of its “Health Care Heroes” campaign. “During the past year, health care workers have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders, risking their own health and safety to ensure ours as we navigated the covid-19 pandemic,” the email said. “Now it’s our turn to recognize their hard work. … By making a donation, you will help provide training, recognition, and support for our staff initiatives.”

Donald Yealy, a senior vice president of UPMC and the chief medical officer of UPMC Health Services, said the fundraising appeal was a way to allow people in the community to show their appreciation.

“The intent of the request and the letter were clear. People are free to ignore or to have an opinion. I don’t begrudge that at all. I respect people having a different opinion," he said.

Hospitals can hold on to unspent relief funds until the end of July to defray any further pandemic-related costs. After that, any unspent money must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. UPMC retains $80 million in unspent relief funds, which the health system said it expects to use. “We’re still in the process of incurring significant costs related to covid,” said Edward Karlovich, UPMC executive vice president and chief financial officer.

‘A Shot in the Arm’ Sometimes Unneeded

In April 2020, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, forecast up to $3 billion in lost revenue because of the pandemic. Instead, Mayo, which received $338 million in federal relief funds, ended the year with revenue that was $202 million higher than in 2019. Mayo recorded a $728 million surplus, which equaled a 5.2% margin.

“It gave us a shot in the arm when we needed it,” said Dennis Dahlen, Mayo’s chief financial officer. Later, when it seemed likely Mayo would run a surplus, executives debated what to do with the federal funds.

“Honestly, we considered dropping the margin,” Dahlen said. After weighing their options, Mayo “landed in a middle-of-the-road decision” by returning $156 million to the federal government.

“We considered it with what everyone else was doing … and we thought about what was good for society,” Dahlen said. “'Nonprofit’ doesn’t really mean no profit. It means tax-exempt. We still have to create earnings so we can reinvest in ourselves.”

Mayo ended the year with $14 billion in investments, $3 billion more than it had in 2019, a 29% increase.

The funds were, indeed, a lifesaver for some. Marvin O’Quinn, president and chief operating officer of CommonSpirit Health, said “there was never a thought of turning back the money.”

Despite receiving $1.3 billion in relief funds, CommonSpirit, based in Chicago, ended last year with a $75 million deficit, which translated to a 0.2% loss.

“We have been set back by a year,” O’Quinn said. “All the things we wanted to do — to renovate, to building new facilities, to expand our service — we’ve had to slow up to get through the crisis.”

Scattershot Relief

The first $50 billion in relief funds “was sent out indiscriminately as a life support,” said Ge Bai, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. HHS tried to target subsequent distributions. It sent $22 billion to 1,090 hospitals with large numbers of covid patients. It sprinkled an additional $16 billion among hospitals that serve poor populations, Native American tribes, people in rural areas and children.

But even with the targeted aid, recipients included well-endowed academic medical centers and major urban hospitals. Only $14 billion took profitability into consideration, HHS documents show. HHS restricted those payments to hospitals with 3% or lower profit margins.

Wealthy hospitals also benefited because HHS used a broad definition of lost revenue. If a hospital earned less than in the year before, or simply less revenue than it had budgeted for, it could chalk up that difference to the pandemic and apply the relief funds to it. The implications garnered little attention at the time as they were overshadowed by the concerns about how HHS was doling out the money rather than how it could be used.

In September, HHS attempted to tighten its overall limits on how much money the hospitals could keep by basing it on the difference from the previous year’s net income rather than overall revenue — a number that in many cases would be much lower. The goal, the department said, was to “prohibit most providers from using PRF [Provider Relief Fund] payments to become more profitable than they were pre-pandemic, to conserve resources to allocate to providers who were less profitable.”

The American Hospital Association complained that would punish hospitals that had behaved responsibly by cutting costs and be an “administrative and accounting disaster,” as many hospitals had already spent the grant money.

HHS backed down a month later, citing “significant attention and opposition from many stakeholders and Members of Congress.” Not fully satisfied, Congress cemented the rollback in a December law.

Some hospital executives attributed their surpluses to their aggressive cost-cutting measures.

NYU Langone Health, for instance, received $461 million in relief funds, which covered about a third of its pandemic-related losses, said Daniel Widawsky, chief financial officer. Another third of Langone’s losses was absorbed by the record-high financial performance in the months before the pandemic, he said, and prompt cost control addressed the rest.

Widawsky said that at the beginning of March Langone canceled travel, froze hiring, paused construction and stopped discretionary purchases. “The first three days in March, we locked down spending,” he said. “If they wanted to buy a pencil, they had to call me.” Langone ended its fiscal year in August with $208 million in net income, and recorded a $136 million surplus in the final quarter of 2020, or 5.5%. Earlier this year, two credit agencies upgraded their outlook on Langone from stable to positive.

Despite accepting $942 million in bailout funds, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital had a $457 million operating deficit, a 7% loss, at the end of September. It was a sharp turn from September 2019, when the system recorded a $166 million surplus, a 2.5% gain.

The system, which declined to comment, has not yet released its financial metrics for the final three months of 2020, but Fitch projected it would remain in the red. Still, NewYork-Presbyterian remains fiscally solid: Its most recent disclosure reported $3.8 billion in cash and short-term investments, enough to keep operating for more than a year.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

Despite Covid, Many Wealthy Hospitals Had a Banner Year With Federal Bailout published first on https://smartdrinkingweb.weebly.com/

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Despite Covid, Many Wealthy Hospitals Had a Banner Year With Federal Bailout

Last May, Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest nonprofit hospital system in Texas, laid off 1,200 employees and furloughed others as it braced for the then-novel coronavirus to spread. The cancellation of lucrative elective procedures as the hospital pivoted to treat a new and less profitable infectious disease presaged financial distress, if not ruin. The federal government rushed $454 million in relief funds to help shore up its operations.

This story also ran on The Washington Post. It can be republished for free.

But Baylor not only weathered the crisis, it thrived. By the end of 2020, Baylor had accumulated an $815 million surplus, $20 million more than it had in 2019, creating a 7.5% operating margin that would be the envy of most other hospitals in the flushest of eras, a KHN examination of financial statements shows.

Like Baylor, some of the nation’s richest hospitals and health systems recorded hundreds of millions of dollars in surpluses after accepting the lion’s share of the federal health care bailout grants, their records show. Those included the Mayo Clinic, Pittsburgh’s UPMC and NYU Langone Health. But poorer hospitals — many serving rural and minority populations — got a tinier slice of the pie and limped through the year with deficits, downgrades of their bond ratings and bleak fiscal futures.

“A lot of the funding helped the wealthy hospitals at a time, especially in New York, when safety-net hospitals were hemorrhaging,” said Colleen Grogan, a health policy professor at the University of Chicago. “We could have tailored it to hospitals we knew were really suffering and taking on a disproportionate amount of the burden.”

In Baylor’s case, the system, which runs Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and 51 other hospitals, said it spent $257 million last year on pandemic-related costs, including protective clothing for employees and patients and creating isolation rooms. Baylor has $197 million in unspent federal relief funds to use this year to cover costs of battling the virus and refrigerating vaccines, it said.

<![CDATA[ window.addEventListener('message', function(event) { if (typeof event.data['datawrapper-height'] !== 'undefined') { var iframes = document.querySelectorAll('iframe'); for (var chartId in event.data['datawrapper-height']) { for (var i=0; i

“Our covid-19-related expenses and lost revenue continue to exceed the funding we have received to date,” Baylor said in a statement to KHN.

Other well-heeled hospitals or large systems faced bigger problems. Both NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and CommonSpirit Health, a 140-hospital Catholic system that operates in 21 states, lost money despite federal grants in the vicinity of a billion dollars each. A few systems, including the for-profit chain HCA Healthcare, returned federal funds when they saw they had skirted their worst-case scenarios. But most spent the aid and held onto any leftover money and new grants to cover anticipated pandemic costs this year because hospital executives fear more case spikes.

Much of the lopsided distribution was caused by the way the Department of Health and Human Services based the allotment of the initial bailout funds on hospitals’ past revenue. That favored institutions with well-off patients who have private health plans over those that rely on lower-paying government insurance, which is what many poor people use.

HHS distribution formulas did not take into account which hospitals had enough assets to survive.

Baylor, for instance, began 2020 with $5.4 billion in cash and investments, enough to keep it running for 238 days, the financial disclosures show.

Hospitals that ended the year with profits were entitled to federal aid because of the extraordinary latitude Congress and HHS set in how hospitals could classify their pandemic costs.

Last fall, when HHS attempted to limit how much aid hospitals could keep based on their profits — so the money could be redirected to struggling hospitals — the effort was swiftly beaten back by the industry and Congress. HHS officials declined requests for an interview but noted in a statement that Congress had ordered it to revert to its “broader definition of permissible use of PRF funds.”

“The Biden Administration continues to review programs and policies including considerations for the unallocated funding under the PRF program and the $8.5 billion recently appropriated under the recently signed American Rescue Plan Act,” the statement said.

Avoiding a Drawdown of Reserves

The bailouts were initiated last spring to help health care providers ride out a once-in-a-century public health calamity. The money designated to hospitals and other health care providers from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent legislation totaled $178 billion.

It was intended to offset all costs of treating infected patients, including purchasing ventilators, masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment. Congress further authorized hospitals to use the money to compensate for a drop in revenue when they shut down elective surgeries and non-emergency treatments to prepare for the anticipated deluge of covid-19 patients.

The money, referred to as the Provider Relief Fund, helped many poorer hospitals avert cash crunches, layoffs and bond rating downgrades. A survey by the consulting firm Kaufman Hall found that the median hospital gain during 2020 would have been 0.3% without the federal support. With it, half of hospitals posted gains of 2.7% or more, below the 2019 median margin of 3.1%, according to the firm, which also produces analytic work for the American Hospital Association.

In February, the association urged Congress to replenish the nearly empty relief fund, saying, “hospitals have never experienced such a widespread, national health crisis.”

Some hospitals’ finances deteriorated significantly during the pandemic. From the end of March through December, the rating agency Moody’s downgraded 28 hospitals, primarily because of weaknesses such as higher debt or more competition, said Lisa Goldstein, associate managing director at Moody’s.

Others suffered worse fates, like Williamson Memorial Hospital, which shut down last April. The hospital, in West Virginia’s coal country, had been trying to climb out of bankruptcy protection, but “unfortunately, the decline in volumes experienced from the current pandemic were to[o] sudden and severe for us to sustain operations,” its CEO wrote on Facebook.

Conversely, many prosperous health systems emerged unscathed from the moratoriums of last spring, often due to the federal aid. “It gave them an ability to not have to draw down on their reserves to make up for the loss in revenue,” said Suzie Desai, a senior director at S&P Global Ratings.

Systems saw patient visits return to near normal as the year wore on. In some cases, business in the latter half of 2020 was even higher than in the same period in 2019 because of pent-up demand for treatments postponed from the spring, financial records show.

“We saw volumes spring back” in every area except emergency room visits, said Kevin Holloran, a senior director at Fitch Ratings. Major hospital systems also reported that cases tended to be more complex than normal, leading to higher insurance payments.

UPMC accepted $460 million in bailout funds while collecting $2.5 billion more in revenue in 2020 than in 2019. The nonprofit system ended the year with an $836 million operating surplus — providing a 3.6% margin that was triple the prior year’s — in part due to the growth of the health insurance plan the system owns.

Other hospitals that sold insurance, including Baylor, persevered because the cause of their financial troubles — fewer surgeries and doctors’ visits — meant the health plans paid fewer claims.

UPMC’s strong finances went unmentioned in a recent fundraising pitch announcing the launch of its “Health Care Heroes” campaign. “During the past year, health care workers have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders, risking their own health and safety to ensure ours as we navigated the covid-19 pandemic,” the email said. “Now it’s our turn to recognize their hard work. … By making a donation, you will help provide training, recognition, and support for our staff initiatives.”

Donald Yealy, a senior vice president of UPMC and the chief medical officer of UPMC Health Services, said the fundraising appeal was a way to allow people in the community to show their appreciation.

“The intent of the request and the letter were clear. People are free to ignore or to have an opinion. I don’t begrudge that at all. I respect people having a different opinion," he said.

Hospitals can hold on to unspent relief funds until the end of July to defray any further pandemic-related costs. After that, any unspent money must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. UPMC retains $80 million in unspent relief funds, which the health system said it expects to use. “We’re still in the process of incurring significant costs related to covid,” said Edward Karlovich, UPMC executive vice president and chief financial officer.

‘A Shot in the Arm’ Sometimes Unneeded

In April 2020, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, forecast up to $3 billion in lost revenue because of the pandemic. Instead, Mayo, which received $338 million in federal relief funds, ended the year with revenue that was $202 million higher than in 2019. Mayo recorded a $728 million surplus, which equaled a 5.2% margin.

“It gave us a shot in the arm when we needed it,” said Dennis Dahlen, Mayo’s chief financial officer. Later, when it seemed likely Mayo would run a surplus, executives debated what to do with the federal funds.

“Honestly, we considered dropping the margin,” Dahlen said. After weighing their options, Mayo “landed in a middle-of-the-road decision” by returning $156 million to the federal government.

“We considered it with what everyone else was doing … and we thought about what was good for society,” Dahlen said. “'Nonprofit’ doesn’t really mean no profit. It means tax-exempt. We still have to create earnings so we can reinvest in ourselves.”

Mayo ended the year with $14 billion in investments, $3 billion more than it had in 2019, a 29% increase.

The funds were, indeed, a lifesaver for some. Marvin O’Quinn, president and chief operating officer of CommonSpirit Health, said “there was never a thought of turning back the money.”

Despite receiving $1.3 billion in relief funds, CommonSpirit, based in Chicago, ended last year with a $75 million deficit, which translated to a 0.2% loss.

“We have been set back by a year,” O’Quinn said. “All the things we wanted to do — to renovate, to building new facilities, to expand our service — we’ve had to slow up to get through the crisis.”

Scattershot Relief

The first $50 billion in relief funds “was sent out indiscriminately as a life support,” said Ge Bai, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. HHS tried to target subsequent distributions. It sent $22 billion to 1,090 hospitals with large numbers of covid patients. It sprinkled an additional $16 billion among hospitals that serve poor populations, Native American tribes, people in rural areas and children.

But even with the targeted aid, recipients included well-endowed academic medical centers and major urban hospitals. Only $14 billion took profitability into consideration, HHS documents show. HHS restricted those payments to hospitals with 3% or lower profit margins.

Wealthy hospitals also benefited because HHS used a broad definition of lost revenue. If a hospital earned less than in the year before, or simply less revenue than it had budgeted for, it could chalk up that difference to the pandemic and apply the relief funds to it. The implications garnered little attention at the time as they were overshadowed by the concerns about how HHS was doling out the money rather than how it could be used.

In September, HHS attempted to tighten its overall limits on how much money the hospitals could keep by basing it on the difference from the previous year’s net income rather than overall revenue — a number that in many cases would be much lower. The goal, the department said, was to “prohibit most providers from using PRF [Provider Relief Fund] payments to become more profitable than they were pre-pandemic, to conserve resources to allocate to providers who were less profitable.”

The American Hospital Association complained that would punish hospitals that had behaved responsibly by cutting costs and be an “administrative and accounting disaster,” as many hospitals had already spent the grant money.

HHS backed down a month later, citing “significant attention and opposition from many stakeholders and Members of Congress.” Not fully satisfied, Congress cemented the rollback in a December law.

Some hospital executives attributed their surpluses to their aggressive cost-cutting measures.

NYU Langone Health, for instance, received $461 million in relief funds, which covered about a third of its pandemic-related losses, said Daniel Widawsky, chief financial officer. Another third of Langone’s losses was absorbed by the record-high financial performance in the months before the pandemic, he said, and prompt cost control addressed the rest.

Widawsky said that at the beginning of March Langone canceled travel, froze hiring, paused construction and stopped discretionary purchases. “The first three days in March, we locked down spending,” he said. “If they wanted to buy a pencil, they had to call me.” Langone ended its fiscal year in August with $208 million in net income, and recorded a $136 million surplus in the final quarter of 2020, or 5.5%. Earlier this year, two credit agencies upgraded their outlook on Langone from stable to positive.

Despite accepting $942 million in bailout funds, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital had a $457 million operating deficit, a 7% loss, at the end of September. It was a sharp turn from September 2019, when the system recorded a $166 million surplus, a 2.5% gain.

The system, which declined to comment, has not yet released its financial metrics for the final three months of 2020, but Fitch projected it would remain in the red. Still, NewYork-Presbyterian remains fiscally solid: Its most recent disclosure reported $3.8 billion in cash and short-term investments, enough to keep operating for more than a year.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

Despite Covid, Many Wealthy Hospitals Had a Banner Year With Federal Bailout published first on https://nootropicspowdersupplier.tumblr.com/