Introduction to the Situation
Weiss Memorial Hospital can no longer accept Medicare patients following an Illinois Department of Public Health investigation. The state health department surveyed the hospital and reported its findings to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal agency then decided to “terminate Weiss’ involvement with the Medicare program effective August 9, 2025,” IDPH said in a Friday statement.
Background on the Investigation
“The Illinois Department of Public Health has been closely monitoring the situation at Weiss Memorial Hospital. As required by law, the results of our surveys of the hospital are shared with the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services,” the statement says. In a public notice, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Weiss isn’t complying with the agency’s requirements for “nursing services, emergency services and physical environment.” It did not go into the specifics of the violations.
Recent Issues at the Hospital
Last month, the Sun-Times reported the hospital’s owner failed to fix its aging air conditioning system. The Medicare program will stop making payments for inpatient hospital services for patients admitted on or after Aug. 9, 2025. Medicare made up 56% of all the revenue Weiss reported in 2023, the most recent year available, Illinois public health records show.
Impact on Hospital Operations
The safety-net hospital, owned by Resilience Healthcare, evacuated its entire inpatient unit last month after hospital staff discovered that three out of the four air conditioning units were not working. Temperatures inside the building rose to 90 degrees. At the time, Resilience Healthcare’s owner and chief executive, Dr. Manoj Prasad, blamed the problem, which forced the hospital to transfer or discharge 45 patients, on an aging air conditioning system that had not been maintained by previous owners. Prasad, who bought the hospital in 2022, told reporters it would take weeks to fix the systems.
Current Status and Other Issues
It’s unclear if the hospital reopened. Employees were still working at the hospital Friday afternoon when a Sun-Times reporter visited, but it wasn’t clear if patients were being treated. Prasad did not respond to multiple requests for comment. When the AC failed, 22 patients were moved to an unused wing at Resilience Healthcare’s other hospital, West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. One patient’s family told the Sun-Times that conditions weren’t much better at West Suburban as temperatures neared 90 degrees inside their hospital room. In November, West Suburban abruptly cut ties with a family medicine practice that for decades had delivered babies at the hospital.
Conclusion
The termination of Weiss Memorial Hospital’s Medicare access due to non-compliance with federal requirements marks a significant challenge for the hospital and its patients. The issues surrounding the hospital’s air conditioning system and other compliance problems highlight the need for immediate attention to ensure patient safety and comfort. The loss of Medicare funding will likely have a substantial impact on the hospital’s operations and its ability to provide care to its community.
FAQs
- Q: Why was Weiss Memorial Hospital’s Medicare access revoked?
A: The hospital’s Medicare access was revoked due to non-compliance with federal requirements for nursing services, emergency services, and physical environment. - Q: What percentage of the hospital’s revenue came from Medicare?
A: Medicare made up 56% of all the revenue Weiss reported in 2023. - Q: What was the reason for the hospital evacuating its inpatient unit?
A: The hospital evacuated its inpatient unit due to an aging air conditioning system that failed, causing temperatures to rise to 90 degrees. - Q: Is the hospital currently open and treating patients?
A: It is unclear if the hospital has reopened or is currently treating patients. - Q: What other issues has Resilience Healthcare faced?
A: Resilience Healthcare’s other hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, faced issues with temperatures and abruptly cut ties with a family medicine practice.
