Delta health systems implementation program - narrative summary ST

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded Five Rivers Medical Center, Inc. (doing business as ST. Bernards Five Rivers) $350,000 under the Delta Health Systems Implementation Program on September 1, 2026.

The recipient will implement revenue cycle best practices to improve financial sustainability at St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center, a rural emergency hospital serving Randolph County, Arkansas. The implementation follows three phases of work developed with technical assistance from FORVIS and Stroudwater. The first phase enhances patient financial engagement by integrating real-time insurance verification and expanding financial counseling services. The second phase addresses medical coding accuracy through staff training, regular audits, and improved modifier usage to maximize reimbursements. The final phase optimizes billing and claims processing by leveraging electronic health records and advanced billing software, including automated claim scrubbing, predictive analytics, and strengthened payer negotiations. The recipient will also provide staff training on financial engagement, billing accuracy, and compassionate communication. Activities are designed to reduce uncompensated care while maintaining a patient-centered approach and ensuring long-term financial viability.

Performance takes place in Pocahontas, Arkansas. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028. The Delta Health Systems Implementation Program funds rural healthcare organizations directly to implement projects that improve financial sustainability and increase access to care in the Delta region.

Bernards five rivers medical center (SBFRMC) is dedicated to serving the rural population of randolph county by implementing revenue cycle best practices to ensure long-term financial sustainability. As arkansas' first rural emergency hospital, SBFRMC plays a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services. Through its partnership with ST. Bernards healthcare system, the hospital will enhance financial processes to improve point-of-service collections, real-time insurance verification, and patient financial counseling. By leveraging technical assistance recommendations, SBFRMC aims to reduce uncompensated care while maintaining a patient-centered approach. Staff training on financial engagement, billing accuracy, and compassionate communication will further support these efforts, ensuring patients receive transparent and accessible care. SBFRMC's implementation plan follows a structured approach based on technical assistance consultations from forvis and stroudwater, focusing on front-end revenue cycle enhancements, coding accuracy, and billing optimization. The first phase will improve patient financial engagement by integrating real-time insurance verification and expanding financial counseling services. The second phase will address medical coding accuracy through ongoing training, regular audits, and improved modifier usage to maximize reimbursements. The final phase will optimize billing and claims processing by leveraging electronic health records (EHR) and advanced billing software. Automated claim scrubbing, predictive analytics, and strengthened payer negotiations will further enhance financial performance. By executing these strategies, SBFRMC will ensure long-term financial viability while maintaining high-quality healthcare access for the rural community. To sustain these improvements beyond the federal funding period, SBFRMC will integrate revenue cycle best practices into its standard operations. Ongoing training programs will keep staff updated on industry regulations and technology advancements. Financial counseling, flexible payment plans, and payer contract reviews will remain in place to maintain financial integrity and patient affordability. Quarterly revenue cycle audits and predictive analytics will help identify areas for continuous improvement. By reinforcing these strategies, SBFRMC will preserve financial stability, ensuring the continuation of critical healthcare services for randolph county and the surrounding rural communities. Budget outline personnel $22,060 travel $20,000 equipment $60,000 supplies $4,000 contractual $280,000 other $13,940 total $400,000 this budget ensures efficient use of funds by focusing on sustainable revenue cycle improvements, staff development, and technology integration to enhance financial stability and healthcare access at SBFRMC.