Hospital Talks Insurance, More With Falmouth Nursey Ward Closure

FALMOUTH, MA — Cape Cod Healthcare officials have responded to questions regarding the proposed permanent closure of the maternity and pediatric wards at Falmouth Hospital.

In May, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health deemed the hospital units necessary for preserving access to health services for expectant mothers and infants, but hospital officials defended the decision arguing there would be no negative impact to services.

State officials then sent further questions and concerns to the hospital, requesting additional information on how transportation for patients would work with the Falmouth wards closed. The Cape Cod Times reported the Department of Public Health was also concerned with how this would impact patients' insurance when they receive care out of state.

On Behalf of Cape Cod Healthcare, Attorney Andrew Levine said hospital officials would ensure that guidance on health insurance coverage will be made available at all OBGYN offices in the Cape Cod Healthcare network.

"Patients will be reminded to speak with their medical and insurance providers in advance to determine what OB/GYN services are covered by their plans, including out-of-state deliveries," Levine wrote in a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Levine also said Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island already participates in most Massachusetts commercial insurance plans.

Last March, Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Michael Lauf announced the permanent closure of the closure of the five-bed inpatient pediatric service, nine-bed inpatient obstetrics service and eight-bassinet infant nursery. Hospital officials attributed the closure to declining birthrates, difficulty recruiting doctors and Falmouth Hospital's proximity to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

Nurses and residents argued closing the facility reduces access for expectant mothers, putting them and their children in danger. But Levine said there are plenty of other sites including Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth and Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. Levine also said in 2018, 140 Barnstable County expectant mothers chose to go to Boston area hospital instead.

But doctors and nurses argued closing the units and forcing expectant mothers on the upper Cape to travel could be dangerous for patients and their newborn children.

Betina Smith, a nurse at Falmouth Hospital, said a couple weeks before the closing announcement, a woman 34 weeks pregnant came into Falmouth Hospital's emergency room in the middle of the night with a prolapsed umbilical cord. Nurses and doctors performed and emergency cesarean section, and the mother delivered a healthy baby.

"If she tried to travel to Cape Cod Hospital, her baby probably would have died," Smith said during last month's public hearing.

Others, including Jessica Labert of Falmouth, argued summer traffic can make a drive from Falmouth to Hyannis more than an hour.

"[Traffic] can double or quadruple your time of the ability to get through [to the hospital]," Lambert said. "Short of a helicopter ride, I'm not sure how people would be able to transport themselves during that timeline."

"Every minute counts," added Donna Kelly-Williams, the president of the Massachusetts Nursing Association. "This decision will add dangerous minutes to an expectant mother's ability to access care when it matters most. This is a dangerous decision that could jeopardize the health and safety of families in your community."

Officials with Cape Cod Healthcare estimated during peak traffic time, it takes about 53 minutes to get to Cape Cod Hospital from Falmouth. They also said any pregnant patient in labor that arrives at Falmouth Hospital will have their baby delivered by trained emergency staff. After the delivery, the patient will be assessed and taken to another hospital.

State health officials will review Falmouth Hospital's response to complete its review of the closure.