Meriter keeps Medicare contract

After facing the possibility of losing its Medicare contract, UnityPoint Health-Meriter was told by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that it will remain in the Medicare program after an investigation into the mistreatment of newborns, according to Meriter spokeswoman Leah Huibregtse.

The decision comes after the latest in a series of inspections found that Meriter is in compliance with Medicare rules. Three previous inspections determined the facility was out of compliance after an investigation into bruises and fractures sustained by five babies at the hands of a nurse who Meriter has since suspended. The injuries were first discovered in April of 2017.

The nurse is under investigation by the Madison Police Department, and the state of Wisconsin has suspended the nurse’s license.

Huibregtse says the CMS has granted UnityPoint Health–Meriter official, written approval on successfully implementing its plan of correction. As a result, Meriter will continue to accept Medicare and Medicaid payments.

“After an onsite survey in March, Meriter corrected all outstanding issues by the end of May,” she states. “A surveyor preliminarily approved the corrections in early June, well ahead of the June 24 deadline, and CMS officially verified Meriter’s compliance with all Medicare conditions of participation yesterday [June 12].  As a result of the CMS review, we’ve become an even stronger organization for our community and continue to be focused on providing high-quality care for our community.”