Shriners to keep hospitals open, make changes to reduce costs, including insurance acceptance
By APFriday, July 10, 2009
Shriners to keep hospitals open, accept insurance
SAN ANTONIO — The Shriners say they will keep a presence in all 22 cities where they provide care for children, but some of the facilities may be downgraded to outpatient surgical centers.
Shriners Hospitals for Children also will begin accepting insurance.
The changes were announced Thursday at the close of the annual meeting of the Shriners International hospital governing body.
Traditionally, the fraternal group has provided care free of charge and without billing insurance companies, but the new hospital CEO, Douglas Maxwell, says the nonprofit needs to change the way it does business.
The rising cost of medicine and a shrinking endowment forced the Shriners this week to look at revamping its hospital system to remain solvent.
