Huron Regional Medical Center

continued from page 1 Compassionate Care When It Was Needed the Most From the CEO David Dick David Dick President and CEO Huron Regional Medical Center Working Together to Provide Choice said, 'I haven't seen one.' That spoke volumes." Skorupski's recovery went well, and although he is adjusting to the sensation of not having a pinkie, he is still able to do what he loves most – write. Skorupski is the author of several books about rural South Dakota, enjoyed by many, including Dr. Branch. "I found out Richard was a writer in the process of caring for him," Dr. Branch says. "He's an insightful writer, and probably one of the best character writers I've ever read. I have enjoyed reading and discussing his books with him." For more information about Dr. Branch, visit www.hrmcphysiciansclinic.org. To schedule an appointment, call (605) 353-7660. Will health care transform to offer fewer choices for rural citizens? There certainly appears to be a quest to transform the industry to control both cost and quality through a narrow network of providers. Come January 1, 2017, South Dakota will see several of its health insurance plans rapidly change. Enrollees will have to pay more attention when they choose a healthcare facility or physician for their care. Call them narrow networks or provider-owned health plans – they aim to keep the cost of your premiums manageable by utilizing a closed healthcare system of providers. DAKOTACARE was the first to experience a change in their list of contracted providers when Sanford decided to no longer have a provider contract after Avera's purchase of DAKOTACARE. And shortly following were similar decisions by both systems regarding Sanford Health Plans and Avera Health Plans. So, what impact will rural citizens in our region see if they are insured by one of these plans? It has long been the mission of HRMC to work together with each individual and organization in the region to promote and improve community health. This mission has served our community for nearly 70 years with compassionate, experienced and knowledgeable physicians and healthcare providers. Today, there are more than 50 primary care and specialty care physicians who provide health care to Huron area patients, either locally or in the HRMC Specialty Clinic. HRMC, in its commitment to our mission, is an in-network facility to all three of these health plans. We will continue to be the healthcare home for the vast range of specialty care regardless who employs the physicians. It is the blessing of our private 501(c) nonprofit status with a local governance structure to be able to bring an array of specialty knowledge to support our local physicians while we all work together to improve the health of our community. Even with this commitment on our part, your health plan might not recognize a visiting specialty physician as in-network. Our hospital will be an in-network facility with all three plans, but you will have to go online to your health plan's website to determine if a visiting specialist you want to see is also listed as an in-network provider. I understand that both Sanford and Avera have determined that under some circumstances your health care would be best continued by a physician outside of their network of providers. Please review your health plan for your options. I remember a West River rancher telling me at coffee one day, "the only thing money does is give you more choices – that's good if you are making good choices and bad if you are making bad ones." As an agricultural state, we value choice. Yet the cost of health care for our nation has reached a pinnacle and hidden in the rancher's remark is the fact that less choice doesn't have to mean a poor choice. For rural citizens, it will mean that we will have to work together even more to make it the best choice possible. "I just enjoy the heck out of rural America – it's what I write about. You hear about the lack of medical care, but that shortage doesn't exist in Huron, South Dakota. You don't have people just punching a time clock. They care about patients and the people they work with. I've been to the emergency department three times, and it's always rapid, compassionate care. You don't get stuck waiting for hours, and the people there want to do the right thing." Richard Skorupski, 64 2 welloneconnection w w w. h u r o n r e g i o n a l . o r g

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