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Hospital leaders report $3.49M cash and $298K monthly operational gap; CEO outlines multi-step reconstruction
Summary
Eureka Springs Hospital leadership told council the hospital holds about $3.49 million in cash (as of March 31), with average monthly collections of $403,000 and expenditures of $701,000 (an operational shortfall of about $298,000). CEO Tiffany Means described steps to rebuild revenue cycle, correct Oracle system configurations, update the charge master and credentialing, and pursue grants and partnerships; community members raised allegations of wrongful terminations and demanded accountability.
Willie Daniels, chair of the Eureka Springs Hospital Commission, and Tiffany Means, the hospital’s CEO, presented a detailed update on the hospital’s financial condition and an action plan to restore reliable financial reporting.
"I did not step into this role to defend the past. I stepped into it to understand it, correct it, and move this hospital forward responsibly," Means told council, outlining an operational snapshot and a multi-part remediation plan.
Means provided figures she described as a "real-time operational snapshot" while the hospital corrects legacy reporting systems: "As of March 31st, the hospital maintains approximately $3.49 million in cash. Over the past 4 months, average monthly collections have been $403,000. Average monthly expenditures [are] $701,000 — an operational gap of $298,000 per month." She said the hospital cannot yet provide fully reconciled, certified financial statements because prior reporting required significant audit adjustments.
Means listed immediate priorities: rebuild the revenue cycle and accounts receivable processes; correct Oracle system configuration; update the charge master and pricing alignment; fix provider credentialing that affects billing; and complete financial reconciliations already underway (staff said 2024 reconciliation was finished and single audits are in final review).
Hospital leadership also described growth in services and community reliance: patient volumes are up about 48% year-to-date and emergency transfers are rising; the hospital has a new 501(c)(3) foundation and is pursuing grant opportunities and strategic partnerships, including a planned lease for a Survival Flight helicopter base behind the hospital to improve transfer times.
Public comments during the meeting included allegations from former employees. Samantha Webb, who said she worked as the hospital’s medical records clerk in 2023, alleged a wrongful termination and referenced audit adjustments revealing a swing of more than $1.2 million in previously reported numbers. Richard Webb III, another former employee, urged accountability for alleged mistreatment of staff.
What the council asked for Council members requested monthly updates and asked staff to provide further information on audits and commission responses to the legislative-audit findings. Hospital leadership committed to providing bank statement balances monthly to the commission and to increase transparency as reconciled figures become available.
Next steps Hospital leadership will continue the financial-reconstruction work, complete outstanding audits under state rules, pursue system corrections with Oracle and billing partners, and report back to the council and commission on progress.
