Full Circle is a blog by Jim VanderSteeg, President and CEO of Covenant Health. Read our CEO's thoughts about health care, leadership and other topics, as well as his updates about Covenant Health and our member organizations. Blog messages will be posted regularly, or you may subscribe to Full Circle by email - simply use the online subscription form on this web page. Thank you for visiting Full Circle!
Peninsula/Artsclamation!
In this edition of Full Circle, I’d like to discuss an ongoing need in our community: the need for additional mental health services and resources. This critical situation impacts a growing number of people in our area, and it is a community challenge that requires a community solution. Peninsula, the behavioral health division of Parkwest […]
New Rule Increases Medicare Wage Index
I would like to take a moment to share some encouraging news regarding recent changes to the Medicare Wage Index, an important issue facing healthcare across the country and one that is significant to the health and viability of hospitals in our area. Simply put, the Medicare Wage Index is part of the structure by […]
Outer Space and (Earthly) Workspace
As we approach the observance of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, many of us have enjoyed recent news coverage of the event. We have either learned about or recalled our memories of the Apollo 11 crew, their magnificent journey and Neil Armstrong’s “one step for [a] man, one giant […]
Medicare Wage Index
Covenant Health has long advocated for changes to the Medicare Wage Index – the current flawed formula has negatively impacted hospitals in East Tennessee.
May Events and Observances
As we look at calendars for the month of May, you may agree that May is typically a very busy month. In addition to observances like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, there are graduations and end-of-school celebrations for many students and families. In healthcare there are a number of observance weeks for specialized professionals throughout […]
Price Transparency
You may have heard or seen in recent news articles that beginning January 1, 2019, all U.S. hospitals were required to post a listing of their “standard charges” on their websites. This is a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which regulates many aspects of healthcare operations in the U.S. […]
The Call to Serve Others
During the past several weeks, our country has mourned the loss of George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States. Many prominent leaders have expressed their respect for former President Bush as they reflected on his more than 70 years of public service as a Naval aviator, ambassador to the United Nations, head of […]
A Season of Gratitude
As I think about last week’s Thanksgiving feast and celebration, I hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a fun and meaningful holiday with family and friends. I would like to share with you a few of the things that are at the top of my “gratitude list” this year: I am thankful for family […]
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