BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — Blount Memorial Hospital is looking to lawmakers to help push along several requests for the federal government to reimburse costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this month the hospital's interim CEO, Jonathan Smith, sent a letter to Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Congressman Mark Green (R-TN) asking for help.
"I am contacting you in hopes that you can assist us with securing reimbursement funds in the amount of $4,211,538.89 from FEMA for the expenses incurred by our Hospital as we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic," Smith wrote in the letter. "These are costs that have already been recognized by our Hospital system, some dating back two fiscal years ago. I have attached a detailed chart showing the timeline of submissions made by Blount Memorial Hospital and the outstanding funds to date."
Smith said that the hospital system has provided the Federal Emergency Management Agency with all of the relevant information needed for these reimbursement requests, but hasn't heard back.
"Receipt of these funds, specifically before the close of our fiscal year on June 30, 2024, is imperative to us ending the year financially stable and meeting bond covenants," he wrote.
A hospital spokesperson said initially more than $6 million in relief was requested and some of it has already been paid by FEMA.
There are currently two outstanding requests and a portion of one of the applications was initially denied last year before it was successfully appealed and overturned a few weeks ago.
Blount Memorial Hospital is asking for reimbursement for testing materials, protective gear and contract labor costs connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital is looking for updates on submissions for reimbursements to FEMA from 2021 and 2023.
"The length of time since the two submissions was the reason for asking for assistance," said Joshua West, a Blount Memorial Hospital spokesperson.
FEMA confirmed to WBIR that Blount Memorial Hospital has requests out, but declined to comment on the details. A spokesperson said each application for reimbursement is unique and handled on a case-by-case basis.