WOODSTOCK Woodstock officials are exploring accessible health care options in the wake of Centegras announcement to overhaul operations at its Woodstock hospital.

Centegra on Friday announced intent to submit its plans to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in mid-August. This follows a June announcement from the health system saying it would suspend most inpatient services as well as discontinue surgical and intensive care services in Woodstock. The changes are set to take effect Aug. 14.

Inpatient behavioral health services will remain at Woodstock hospital, and outpatient behavioral health and inpatient physical rehabilitation services will move to that location as well.

Only certain changes, such as relocating inpatient beds, need state approval. If the changes arent approved, the hospital will have to reverse anything put in place, Centegra spokeswoman Michelle Green said.

The first application filed with the board will be to discontinue the 22-bed comprehensive physical rehabilitation unit at Centegra Hospital McHenry, Green said. An application will also be filed to move those services to Woodstock, she said.

A final application will be to discontinue the medical-surgical and intensive care categories of service at Woodstock, which will result in a loss of 72 beds at that hospital, Green said.

Services previously at Woodstock will be relocated to Centegras other hospitals in McHenry and Huntley.

A public hearing on the changes isnt required unless someone requests one. If a public hearing is requested, it must be held within 30 days of the request.

Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager said its likely the city will request a hearing.

At this point, barring any change in what I understand is the direction in which Centegra is going, it would be in the citys best interest to request a hearing, he said.

He added he has held numerous meetings with Centegra representatives and other health care providers in the area.

The fact is Centegra does have interest in continuing to provide quality health care that is easy and accessible for people of Woodstock and larger region, he said. The city is strongly interested in ensuring residents have access, regardless of the provider, and we will continue the dialogue to ensure that occurs.

Centegra Health System officials projected their financial losses could reach $40 million by the June 30 end of its fiscal year, according to a May 3 filing with Fitch Ratings. Centegras leaders attributed the results in large part to the cost of opening the Huntley hospital and a rise in uncompensated care.

The changes could save the health system $15 million annually, Centegra officials have said. Executives also are working on other strategies to save money. Losses topped $30 million through the first three quarters of its fiscal year.

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Woodstock exploring healthcare options after Centegra announcement to suspend services - Northwest Herald