Health Care authority agrees to increase reimbursement rates

(Enid-AP) -- Officials say an increase in Medicaid reimbursements should generate more than seven (m) million dollars a year for the state's only Level One trauma center. <br/><br/>The Oklahoma Health

Friday, July 9th 2004, 3:39 pm

By: News On 6

(Enid-AP) -- Officials say an increase in Medicaid reimbursements should generate more than seven (m) million dollars a year for the state's only Level One trauma center.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority approved the rate increases at a meeting yesterday.

The rates apply to hospital stays, emergency room visits and air ambulance services and are retroactive to the beginning of July.

O-U Medical Center in Oklahoma City had planned to close the trauma unit at the end of last year because it has lost about nine (m) million dollars since opening three years ago. Hospital officials agreed to keep the unit open while the state worked to find a solution.

Officials say the fee increases apply to any Level One trauma center, so the hope is that other hospitals will open similar units. Level One centers deal with the most serious injuries.