The Washington County Hospital Board of Trustees met last night.  Chief Financial Officer Elaine Matzenbacher says many of the numbers from the month of March were up from the previous month, as well as what was budgeted.  There were 26 admissions and there were 23 budgeted, and it is 9 more than February and 7 more than last March.  Patient days were at 947, which is 74 more than in February, and was 25 less than what was budgeted for, as well as being was 2 more than a year ago.  Outpatient visits for March were down from the 3,000 that were anticipated at 2,829, which is more than the 2,477 in the previous month, and is 114 more than a year ago.  Emergency room visits was up from 220 in February at 230 for last month, and was more than the 204 anticipated, while it was 26 more than in March 2014.  The surgery numbers had been going up in recent months, but while the numbers were down, they were still good.  There were 52 surgeries, a decrease from the 67 surgeries in February, while 11 more than budgeted and 23 more than the previous March.  When looking at the year-to-date, patient days and surgeries are more than expected, while admissions, outpatient visits and emergency room visits are lower, but are close to the anticipated numbers.  The hospital had a loss of $376,032 for last month, compared to a gain of $197,027 for February.  They had planned for a profit of $14,654.  Matzenbacher says some areas that resulted in the loss did include an increase in employee benefits paid out, as well as supplies and materials needed.  But the big reason was a $410,000 payment to Medicare.  She says this was due to a Medicare Cost Report that was filed by the hospital.   Their charges were at a lower level than what Medicare was reimbursing them, so they were getting paid more than they should have all year long and they knew it was coming.  What happens is that the hospital is reimbursed on outpatient Medicare setup charges.  Last year they had a large price increase on the setup charges, based on a pricing survey and compared to other hospitals, WCH’s charges were low.  That charge went up, but the hospital’s cost did not go up, therefore they were overpaid all year long and last month it was time to pay Medicare back.  Factoring that large amount out of the equation, the hospital would have had a profit of approximately $34,000.  Last year in March, there was a gain of $108,707.  The hospital has a profit to date of $28,503, and has budgeted for a profit of $161,194.  It had a profit $317,180 at this time last year.  The Board approved the March financial report.  Matzenbacher also provided the upcoming 2015-2016 Budget, which was also approved of by the Board.  She reports they expect a decrease in patient revenues, that seems to be trending down, as they don’t expect any increase in charges.  Medicaid had a cut by the Governor, but she isn’t sure if this will affect WCH.  The health insurance premiums are expected to decrease as well.  Bottom line is that the hospital is expected to make a profit of nearly $29,000 next year, which she says will be close to this year’s profit.