Laurel Ridge Treatment Center, a San Antonio behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment facility, will soon be unable to serve patients covered by Medicaid or Medicare following federal action by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The agency will not pay for services for patients admitted on or after April 30, and will provide payment for services up to 30 days after April 30 for patients admitted before that date.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services took action against the facility citing repeated health and safety violations. A November report described staffing shortages that left mental health patients waiting up to six hours to be checked in, as well as a self-harm incident involving a smuggled razor blade. The report also cited unsecured items that could be used for self-injury, ligatures, or fire—raising serious questions about patient safety.
Laurel Ridge’s leadership is pushing back, with Chief Executive Officer Ashley Sacriste stating: “CMS has informed Laurel Ridge Treatment Center that, in their opinion, the facility does not currently meet the requirements for participation in the Medicare program. We are hopeful that we can work collaboratively with CMS to clarify the basis for its findings and to demonstrate the facility’s ongoing compliance.” The facility claims it remains “open and fully functional” and is “taking all efforts to remain a provider of choice.” The center notes it has “provided lifesaving and life-improving care” for nearly 40 years.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://headtopics.com/news/laurel-ridge-treatment-center-faces-medicare-medicaid-82354945