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Garfield County health center staff, administrator roles and funding delays flagged at commissioners meeting
Summary
County commissioners and Health Center staff discussed administrative responsibilities, staffing shortfalls and delayed Medicare-related payments for the residential health facility; MT Health Network said a provider license use ends and requested accelerated funding to cover four months of payments.
At its April 29 meeting, the Garfield County Board of Commissioners heard that the Garfield County Health Center is facing administrative and funding strain. Administrator Krista Wright and Nadine Elmore of Montana Health Network told the board that Elmore’s license use ends that day and that the facility needs clearer communication, defined administrator responsibilities and more residents to sustain operations.
Elmore outlined a list of duties the administrator should fulfill: general administration; personnel management; financial management; 24/7 resident care; and facility management. Staff present said there are strong nurses on board but that long-time staff member Elsie is reducing her duties, creating additional operational strain.
Elmore said Noridian is holding up funding for the residential extended‑care (REH) payments due to Medicare issues and that staff have requested accelerated payments covering roughly four months’ worth of funding. Commissioners and administrators discussed improving workflow and collaboration among staff but the minutes record no formal vote or action on funding at the meeting.
The discussion followed public-comment items earlier in the morning and occurred after the board reconvened from lunch. No formal policy change or appropriation was made at the April 29 meeting; the Health Center topics were discussed as items for administration and possible follow-up.
