Commission approves recruitment for Lovell public health nurse; Maternal Child Health billing to be pursued

The Big Horn County Commission on May 20 approved the recruitment of a replacement nurse for the Lovell public health office and agreed to pursue Medicaid and insurance billing for Maternal Child Health visits.

Public Health Nurse Manager Hillary Mulley presented the resignation of the nurse in the Lovell office and requested permission to recruit a replacement. Commissioner Dave Neves moved to approve recruitment; the motion was seconded and carried.

Mulley told commissioners that Maternal Child Health visits are eligible for Medicaid or insurance billing and that other counties have begun billing, though the State has not formally instructed local public health offices to bill. She said the county would not bill uninsured individuals and that further steps, including a possible contract, may be required as the department renews its Medicare billing certification.

Mulley requested an executive session for personnel; the commission went into executive session and later instructed Mulley to proceed with identified budget cuts. Mulley also reported that the Lovell office generator appears to be functioning.

The commission took no formal vote in the minutes regarding the Maternal Child Health billing policy; the record shows by consensus that Mulley should begin pursuing the revenue source and that any contracts or certification changes will return for approval if required.