Hurricane Katrina Information for Mississippi Hospitals

SBA loan applications due by March 11

The U. S. Small Business Administration is asking hurricane victims to return disaster loan applications before the March 11 deadline. These low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations that suffered damages as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

A completed application will also keep the door open to other types of assistance. If the SBA is unable to approve a loan for a homeowner or renter, the applicant may be automatically referred to other available disaster assistance programs, including grants. Those who do not return a completed SBA application may be disqualifying themselves from any further assistance.

In the declared counties, SBA offers loans of up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Loans to businesses and non-profit organizations up to $1.5 million are available to repair damage to real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and for leasehold improvements. Working capital assistance is also available to small businesses through SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. A business need not have physical damage to be eligible for economic injury assistance.

Disaster victims are reminded that to be considered for federal disaster assistance, including SBA's disaster loans, they must first call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The deadline for returning applications for physical damage is March 11; the deadline to return economic injury applications is May 29.

Hospital Finance and Claims Payment

MEDICARE

Trispan Health Services, the Mississippi Medicare Fiscal Intermediary, has mailed advances to a number of hospitals in light of equipment failures following Katrina. These are payments against claims that cannot be filed because phones, computers, internet, post offices, etc are down temporarily.

In addition to the regular service line, a second line 601-664-4466 has been installed. Email is the preferred method of communication if your email is working.

You may ask for an extension on your cost report deadline. All scheduled recoupments are postponed.

Much valuable information is available at www.trispan.com along with links to CMS sites.

ALSO WATCH THE NATIONAL UNIFORM BILL WEB SITE AT www.nubc.org. New condition codes are being approved to allow CMS to determine those patients that were evacuees. Because individuals may have been treated in long term acute or swing bed facilities, etc. and their length of stay or other situation may not fit the provider type. These claims will need to be handled separately.

MEDICAID

Advance payments have been forwarded to Medicaid providers who are unable to submit claims because of storm damage. If you need additional services, contact the Division. DOM is also preparing the appropriate applications to request the enhanced match for evacuees from the storm. This will include individuals that under ordinary circumstances would have insurance, however they will need Medicaid during the interim until they can be re-employed, etc. Once approval for this program has been obtained, instructions will be forwarded by the DOM.

BLUE CROSS COMMERCIAL

Blue Cross has contacted its providers and made arrangements to supply advanced payments if requested.