Dialysis Unit nets $1.4M in revenues for BVIHSA

Dialysis involves elimination of waste matter from the blood and maintaining electrolyte balance through osmosis. Dialysis does not treat renal failure but keeps the patient alive by artificially performing the function of cleaning the blood.

There are 41 patients in the BVI  who utilize the dialysis machines at Peebles Hospital – and the cost per month for an “average patient” costs almost $17,000 per month.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Dr. Ronald Georges, told the Standing Finance Committee that of the 41 clients on dialysis 16 are covered by insurance, 12 are exempted from paying under the regulations because of their age, and 15 are unable to pay.

Representative for the Third District, Julian Fraser, inquired  where the BVIHSA gets its income for dialysis in the amount of $1.4 million, and asked whether the revenue came from insurance. Dr. Georges replied by saying that the revenue for dialysis is collected from insurance agencies. He noted that 16 of the patients who receive dialysis are insured.

Fraser asked the official to give an insight into the cost of dialysis for a patient to which Dr. Georges said $12,000 per session and $16,500 per month for the average dialysis patient.

When asked by the Third District representative about the percentage covered by insurance agencies, Dr. Georges said one of the insurance providers, BUPA, reimburses 100 percent and the other agencies 50 percent; another 50 percent goes unpaid.

Fraser also asked the acting chief executive officer whether the cost of $16,500 per month for dialysis was a real cost incurred or factors in other profits, and whether it was a cost to government.

Dr. Georges said the cost for providing the service includes the human resource, overhead utilities, space, and all of the supplies and maintenance of the equipment that is required. Fraser asked Dr. Georges if anyone has ever been turned away because  the authority may not have the capacity to treat that patient.

Dr. Georges replied by saying that the Authority was presently at the breaking point, particularly in the Dialysis Unit, in terms of the quantity of patients and the current capacity of the unit. He also stated that the Authority was thinking of doing some minor expansions to that unit to have an additional three stations as the equipment was donated by the University of Michigan and the Rotary Club.

He further stated that there would be some minor modifications to the unit and staffing changes to accommodate a larger number of clients who require dialysis.

Copyright 2012 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

...