JRMC forms provider-based RHCs

     UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) and UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine in Anamosa have established an agreement where UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine Anamosa will transition to become a Provider-Based Rural Health Clinic (PB-RHC) and operate under the structure of JRMC, effective Jan. 1, 2017. In April 2017, the UnityPoint Clinic located in Monticello will also transition.

     With the realignment of these clinics, all the providers, staff, locations, and most processes will remain the same. This realignment allows for enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, which may in the future support the recruitment of providers, along with additional services and clinical resources for UnityPoint patients and families. To qualify as a PB-RHC, the clinic must operate as a department of a hospital.

     “This agreement enables us to continue delivering comprehensive, efficient, lower cost, high-quality healthcare to Jones County and the surrounding communities,” said Eric Briesemeister, JRMC CEO. “The high-quality, personalized and convenient care we offer every patient who comes through the doors will remain – delivered by the same caring staff and physicians the community has come to know.”

     Under legislation passed by Congress in 1977, a federally-certified Provider-Based Rural Health Clinic has two main goals: improve access to primary healthcare in rural, underserved communities and promote a collaborative model of healthcare delivery using a team approach with physicians and advanced practice providers. The main advantage of RHC status is enhanced reimbursement rates for providing Medicaid and Medicare services. RHCs receive special Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Higher reimbursements result in additional providers, services and clinical resources for the patients and community.

     A requirement to qualify as a RHC under CMS guidelines is the RHC must operate as a department of a hospital, as such all providers and staff will be employed by JRMC.

About UnityPoint Health Jones Regional

     As a leader in community health care, UnityPoint Health – JRMC is the only hospital in the Jones County area and cares for more than 5,500 people each month. The state-of-the-art facility specializes in 24-hour emergency care, lab and radiology, inpatient hospital visits and nursing care; outpatient surgeries and clinics; counseling; and rehabilitation. Jones Regional Medical Center's mission is to improve the health of the people and the communities we serve.

     The hospital is affiliated with UnityPoint Health, which has two family practice clinics in Monticello and Anamosa and is an affiliate of UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital, which has been nationally recognized as a Top 100 Hospital. UnityPoint Health System is also ranked among the top 25 integrated health systems in the nation.