With the exception of the Medicare Select plan, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital does, in fact, participate in most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.

Sheri,
I realize that. Because of them not accepting it though a patient can either pay more on their supplemental insurance or pay a more on deductibles. Just shows Elmhurst Hospital lack of concern on Medicare. Unlike what many think people on medicare pay around 104 a month on medicare and for more complete coverage monthly fees for a supplemental insurance. The latter is where Elmhurst hurts the medicare patient.

I totally agree with this. Anytime you see a doctor at the center for health, you are charged a fee as if you had gone to the hospital. I also found that for a basic x-ray at M&M Orthopedics Center for Health, the charge was $488, and the same x-ray at M&M Orthopedics in the Professional building (while in same building structure, but not run by the hospital), the charge was $105. The same doctors practice at both. Which would you choose??

DITTO! We changed all of our regular doctors because of the facility fee. And what is happening with the old hospital building? It looks like an abandoned building!

Just a clarification on what the facility fee represents - in 2011, physician practices that are affiliates of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital made the transition to hospital - based designation. A hospital-based facility is very similar to a physician’s office, but requires that bills are separated into two portions - a reduced physician bill
for the services and procedures performed by the physician and a hospital bill for all other costs of the visit, like nursing staff, office space, clerical support, and supplies.

Sheri, I am sure on paper that is what the fee represents. But as patients, all we care about is what our insurance will or will not cover. Nearly all insurance plans will not cover the facility fee so the patient is left with the cost. If EMH can't figure out a way to bill this so insurance will cover it, they should expect to lose patients.

There should really be no surprise why DuPage Medical Group's pediatrics practice is growing so much in Downtown Elmhurst.

We are in the process of finding new doctors for our family of six do to the Facility Fee. We love our doctors at the CFH, but the additional costs are killing the budget!

If you actually read the Fitch and Moody's reports, they essentially say that, while EMH's financial performance and status is not what had been projected by these agencies, the long-term (and even short-term) outlook is far from dire. The Fitch report in particular assigns a "Stable Outlook" to EMH and states: "The Stable Outlook reflects Fitch's expectation that EMH will continue to achieve the benefits of its new facility and improve its financial performance over the near term. EMH should be able to stabilize operations and build up its liquidity with the completion of the Cancer Center. " So put away the champagne, Jim, EMH is not about to go under. You also might consider that, if that were to happen, thousands of hard-working people, most of whom work very hard for very modest pay, will loose their jobs.

A final note -- as not for profit entity, EMH does not have "investors."

I think you missed my point. If it were to go under, it would be immediately picked up by a new owner. The fact that the facility is brand new and the long term outlook on healthcare is positive ensures that. Most people would not lose their jobs, they would simply work for a new corporate owner. The only people that lose in this situation is the executives in charge and the current bondholders. Personally, I don't feel bad for either of those groups. Their policies over the last few years have completely alienated the community.

If you really believe EMH is "non-profit", then I have a bridge to sell you, too. EMH is currently fighting to regain their "non-profit" status, and if they win they expect Elmhurst to pay back all the property taxes since the Center of Health was built, which predates the hospital for 10 years. EMH overextended themselves on this building and they are expecting the people of Elmhurst to bail them out. I won't have any part of it. When your taxes go up to cover this, will you still blindly defend them? It isn't the workers I am against, it is the executives at the hospital that created this situation.

Jim Johston is right on and "Dave, don't be so sure about who the investors are/were. You may be extremely surprised.

I totally agree. My child was taken to Elmhurst and then transferred to Lutheran General. The care she received at Elmhurst was terrible. Lutheran General was outstanding. Thank goodness Elmhurst's mistakes did not cause paralysis.

Right on target. Someone should investigate Fronza's sweetheart retirement deal paid for by Elmhurst taxpayers.

Pensions are also a debt issue with Elmhurst.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/Assets/legacy/downloads/20130107HospitalPensions.htm