A board meeting of San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 reviewed the 2016 budget to be approved in December and provided an update on the Civil Investigative Demand that they brought to attention at their last meeting, Oct. 28.

The demand was brought by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit under the Attorney General’s office to examine documents regarding air ambulance transport, and “involves the possible submission of false Medicaid reimbursement claims for air ambulance services.”

It requests billing documents, reimbursement claims, forms, as well as all communication between “Larry Wall, Jim Cole, Dr. Michael Edwards or Dr. Michael Sullivan, or the superintendent on Board of the San Juan Island Public Hospital District No. 1 regarding Medicaid billing, Medicaid reimbursement or air ambulance service.”

Superintendent Pamela Hutchins read a statement prepared by the attorney representing the district.

“Some have misunderstood the nature of that demand. This civil, not criminal, investigation focuses on our patients use of air ambulance transportation to mainland healthcare resources. For decades in the San Juan County archipelago, air ambulances have been the best and often only transportation solution for patients. Consequently, our higher use of this transportation resource has drawn the attention of Medicaid auditors. San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 is pledging its full cooperation with this investigation.”

Board members discussed swearing in Barbara Sharp for commissioner position #2 to the board in December, as well as final budget approval.