One of the reasons why the LBJ Hospital wants to suspend the $10 facility use fee is to encourage the community to use the outpatient clinics and alleviate over crowding in the Emergency Room
This is the explanation from LBJ CEO Faumuina John Faumuina in response to follow up questions from KHJ News.
As we reported yesterday Faumuina announced to the cabinet Tuesday that the hospital will be suspending the $10 facility use fee for all clinics.
The fee will still be charged at the ER and Pharmacy.
Faumuina said, “We want to encourage the community to use our outpatient clinics to alleviate the over-crowding problem at the Emergency Room (ER), which is meant for “True” Emergencies.”
He added that a press release is forth coming to explain the suspension of the Facility Use Fee of $10.00.
The CEO said the suspension is the result of the work by LBJ’s Revenue Cycle consultant from off island.
Asked if the suspension means that LBJ’s financial situation has improved. Faumuina responded,”No, we are still struggling having to meet our financial obligations to our vendors and suppliers and to meet personnel costs to keep the hospital in operational mode.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting , the CEO said they will monitor the suspension and if all goes well with the “people from America,” it will be continued; if not, then the public will be asked to pay the $10 fee again.
