Post Office Box 94111 Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9111 www.civilservice.la.gov SHANNON S. TEMPLET, DIRECTOR Appeals Phone: 225-342-8070 Fax: 225-342-8058 TDD: 800-846-5277 Toll Free: 866-783-5462 Daily News for Friday, July 26, 2013 The Times-‐Picayune Feds approve Medicaid reimbursement changes for Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge By Rebecca Catalanello, NOLA.com | The Times-‐Picayune updated July 25, 2013 at 1:19 PM The federal government has approved part of a new Medicaid reimbursement plan for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. The approval signifies part of the formalization of a public-‐private partnership that the hospital entered into with Louisiana State University in March. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced Wednesday that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave the go-‐ahead to two of four amendments to the state’s Medicare reimbursement plan — both of which were needed in order for the partnership to function as designed. Both changes make allowances for the private hospital to receive reimbursement for inpatient care to patients who qualify for Medicaid, a government program that subsidizes medical care for low-‐income people. Kathy Kleibert, secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, said in a written statement that she was pleased with the decision: “These are essential components of the public-‐private partnership aimed at providing care to thousands of Baton Rouge-‐area residents.” The privatization of LSU’s hospitals has been a subject of controversy among critics who worry such partnerships will compromise care without necessarily saving state money. In her statement announcing the federal Medicaid reimbursement approval, Kleibert touted the move as one that will result in “a better system of care for our state.” “It is our responsibility to care for those who are in need through the safety-‐net system, but now that access point in Baton Rouge is the same for all area residents, whether they hold a Medicaid card, a private insurance card or none at all,” Kleibert said. The Shreveport Times LSU Hospital staff must re-‐apply for jobs By Melody Brumble [email protected] July 26, 2013 Decision day is coming for more than 2,300 employees at LSU hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. Applications open Aug. 5 for jobs in Shreveport with Biomedical Research Foundation Hospital Holding Co., which will take over hospital operations Oct. 1. The new nonprofit company is a subsidiary of Biomedical Research Foundation in Shreveport. The online application period for current employees at E.A. Conway Hospital in Monroe will begin Aug. 15. Additional application and interview dates will be communicated to E.A. Conway employees by Aug. 2. Job descriptions and salary information will be posted on the Shreveport Health Transition website starting Aug. 5. Biomedical Research Foundation Chairman Steve Skrivanos still estimates the hospitals will retain 90 percent of the jobs they had before privatization. Job offers will be made after interviews are finished for each department. Applications for jobs will be opened to the general public. Employees at both hospitals will receive layoff notices as part of the Louisiana Civil Service process, regardless of whether they’re offered a job with the private management company. Here are key dates for employees: Aug. 2: E.A. Conway employees will get more details. Aug. 5-‐16: Online applications accepted for Shreveport jobs. Aug. 13-‐23: Interviews conducted in Shreveport. Aug. 14: Layoff notices mailed to Civil Service employees. Aug. 15: Online applications start for E.A. Conway employees. Aug. 15-‐28: Emailed and online job offers. People must accept within three days. Aug. 23: Layoff notices mailed to unclassified employees. Aug. 30: Last day to accept a job offer.