The Monroe County commissioners last week approved participating in an intergovernmental transfer agreement of $1.7 million to help cover costs at Pleasant Valley Manor, the county’s nursing home.

Commissioner John Christy explained that government entities do not get paid as much per bed from Medicaid as private nursing homes. In order to fill the gap between the costs and the reimbursement, several counties have formed an intergovernmental agreement.

The group consists of 15 county-owned facilities who each contribute funds that are matched by the state through the Department of Human Services, Christy said. This is submitted to the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“They in turn give us back the money plus additional money to help offset the money we don’t receive,” Christy said. “Even after all that, it is still less than what a private facility gets.”

In April, the board of trustees decided to sale Pleasant Valley Manor to Outcome Healthcare stating that the most significant challenge has been the ever increasing costs. These costs include staffing, services, goods and new regulatory requirements.

“The new guidelines require more direct patient time and additional staffing needs,” Christy said. “With the current climate of hiring, we need to use additional contract staffing to fill the widening gaps.”

Outcome Healthcare is a family-owned company with years of experience in the health care industry. The sale isn’t a done deal.

“There are a lot of hoops to jump through to sale a facility such as PVM,” Christy said. “The Attorney General’s office has 120 days to review any sale. Afterward, the Orphans Court has to have a hearing.”

In related business, the commissioners also approved an amended motion from May 15 to update a proposal from Midlantic Engineering to include geotechnical engineering services at the wastewater facility site at Pleasant Valley Manor. The new total estimate fee is not to exceed $16,900.