Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) informs the public that cancer treatment continues to be available at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute (CKCI) despite the financial challenges it faces. Patients enrolled at CKCI continue to receive their treatments as scheduled. New patients who meet admission criteria are still being accepted at CKCI. At this point, no decision has been made to close CKCI or to stop admitting new patients for treatment at the Cancer Institute. Patients and providers may continue to contact CKCI at 776-8311 with questions or for assistance.
As indicated during recent press releases, board meetings and legislative hearings, SRMC is not adequately reimbursed for many of the patient care services and chemotherapy medications it provides to patients at CKCI under its current reimbursement structure with Medicare and Medicaid. Further, many patients who are treated at CKCI do not have insurance, and for those patients, SRMC receives little or no reimbursement. Significant delays in recent disbursements of the regular monthly allotment to SRMC from the central government further exacerbates the difficulties in funding the operations of CKCI.
Yet, despite those challenges, in recognition of the vital importance of the services provided at CKCI, the team at Schneider Regional has worked diligently to ensure that patients who need care get the care they need. Hospital CEO Dr. Bernard Wheatley, stated “Our first priority always has been and will continue to be our patients. Despite the many challenges we face, we continue to deliver quality patient care to the residents and visitors of the Virgin Islands.”
Dr. Wheatley thanks the patients, the SRMC staff and the community for their commitment to CKCI during this challenging time.
Schneider Regional Medical Center, St. Thomas