NRMC board passes budget during monthly meeting

The Nevada Regional Medical Center Board of Directors met via teleconference at noon, Tuesday. The main item on the agenda was the NRMC Budget for fiscal year 2021, which was unanimously passed by the board.

The fiscal year 2021 NRMC budget is projected to generate a $1,447,225 operating income. The budget projects a $1,358,154 increase in cash not adjusting for potential CARES Act funding repayments.

The fiscal year 2021 operating income of $1,447,225 compares to the following:

• $24,509 estimated operating loss for fiscal year 2020.

• $1,050,326 audited operating loss for fiscal year 2019.

• $3,387,360 audited operating loss for fiscal year 2018.

• $5,656,983 audited operating loss for fiscal year 2017.

The Payroll Protection Program funds of $3 million are recognized in fiscal year 2021 budget other operating revenue as loan forgiveness is expected to be obtained. It was recommended that an overall 5 percent increase be implemented in billed charges for NRMC hospital and rural health clinics effective July 1, 2020.

There are no general wage increases or cost of living adjustments recommended in the fiscal year 2021 budget, although the budget is expected to be reviewed quarterly.

"There's a lot of unknowns going on right now," stated NRMC CEO Steve Branstetter in his administrative report. "We're kind of focused on, number one, our volumes and how they're doing. I'm happy to report that in June our volumes are a lot higher than in last June, so we've seen our numbers increase probably since the last part of May and going in to June. We're really pleased with those numbers. And that's everywhere — inpatient, surgeries, and clinics."

In regards to COVID-19, Branstetter stated, "We've seen an uptick. We've done over 600 tests. There's been 18 positives in Vernon County. We're continuing to be real safe. We're still wearing the face masks, checking temps, social distancing and everything we need to be doing."

"We did a real good job with funding this year," Branstetter noted. "Nevada got some good funding. We feel like we're going to be able to keep the PPP (Payroll Protection Program), we're just not sure how much we're going to be able to keep. I think it's a real good budget this year. I feel like we were at almost a break-even before all of this hit and I think we're going to try to shoot for a positive budget this coming year."