Indianapolis – Today, Governor Pence released the following statement applauding Amazon.com Inc.’s decision to add 2,000 jobs in Indiana.

“Because of Indiana’s low-cost, low-regulation business environment, Amazon is choosing to locate 2,000 of its new jobs right here in the Hoosier state,” said Governor Mike Pence. “As the Crossroads of America, Indiana is positioned logistically to help Amazon better serve its customers with efficiency. It’s great to see that Amazon, a very strong global company that already employs more than 7,000 Hoosiers, has recognized Indiana as a state that works and a place where it can continue to expand and employ thousands of Hoosiers.”

Amazon currently has a presence in Indianapolis, Whitestown, Plainfield and Jeffersonville and employs more than 7,000 Hoosiers. Today, Amazon announced 10,000 new jobs nationwide. 2,000, or 20% of those, will be in Indiana. 1,300 will be in the Greater Indianapolis region and 700 will be in Southern Indiana.

Since 2007, Amazon.com Inc. has announced three expansions in Indiana (with IEDC incentives) totaling more than 2,600 new Hoosier jobs.

• In March 2012, Amazon announced plansto locate a new fulfillment center in Jeffersonville, creating up to 1,050 new jobs by 2015 and approximately $150 million in investment in the state.
• In March 2008, Amazon announced plansto open a new 60,000+ square foot automated fulfillment center in Whitestown, creating more than 1,200 new jobs by 2010.
• In August 2008, Amazon announced plansto open a new 950,000-square-foot distribution center in Plainfield, creating more than 350 new jobs by 2011.

MissionPoint increases access and improves health of communities, while lowering costs

 MissionPoint Health Partners has launched its population health management model into Indiana and is expanding access to now more than 250,000 members and 7,700 contracted providers. St.Mary’s partnered with MissionPoint earlier this year.

MissionPoint and St.Mary’s are both members of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and not-for-profit health system. MissionPoint is a population health company that makes healthcare more affordable, accessible and works to improve the overall health of communities.

MissionPoint works with providers, employers and payers to create custom, high-quality healthcare networks that members can access at lower cost. MissionPoint then supports its members with a unique care model, offering personalized care to those who may need clinical and social support beyond traditional healthcare to achieve their best health. The result is an improved healthcare experience for members and stronger care coordination, which typically helps drive down healthcare costs for the entire population.

The hospitals that now offer MissionPoint services in Indiana include:

• Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent
• St. Mary’s Health
• St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital
• St.Vincent Anderson Regional
• St.Vincent Carmel
• St.Vincent Clay
• St.Vincent Dunn
• St.Vincent Fishers
• St.Vincent Frankfort
• St.Vincent Heart Center
• St.Vincent Indianapolis
• St.Vincent Jennings
• St.Vincent Kokomo
• St.Vincent Mercy
• St.Vincent Randolph
• St.Vincent Salem
• St.Vincent Seton Specialty
• St.Vincent Williamsport
• St.Vincent Women’s

“MissionPoint truly helps members, especially those who are vulnerable,” said Dr. Tricia Baird, Chief Medical Officer of St. Mary’s CARE Partners. “By providing an extra layer of support, members gain access to resources, including financial and quality of life programs. MissionPoint is carrying out the Ascension mission to serve all persons through spiritually centered, holistic care, which sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities.”

MissionPoint is now in seven markets across the United States, and will add additional markets in 2016. By expanding into new and existing markets, MissionPoint is able to reach additional underserved and vulnerable populations, particularly those on Medicare. All seven markets, including Indiana, are part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).

“We believe that healthcare can be better. By continuing to expand into new markets across the country, we are increasing access to members who need our services most,” said Jason Dinger, CEO of MissionPoint Health Partners. “Through our Health Partners, we help members navigate the complex healthcare system and take charge of their health. Health Partners provide both clinical and non-clinical support to members as they transition among healthcare providers, including an assessment of physical, mental and emotional needs.”

For more information on MissionPoint call Vicki Shelton at 317-338-4130 or visit www.missionpointhealth.org.

Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com

Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne was not wrongly denied $27 million in Medicaid payments it sought from the state when it failed to properly and timely document the claims, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday.

The Family and Social Services Administration denied Parkview’s request for disproportionate share hospital payments it sought for 2010 and 2011, a decision affirmed by Allen Superior Judge Nancy Eshcoff Boyer.

In Parkview Hospital, Inc. v. John J. Wernert, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, and The Methodist Hospitals, Inc., 02A03-1408-PL-296, Judge Elaine Brown wrote a 45-page order for the Court of Appeals panel that affirmed the trial court. She wrote that the hospital has received more than $70 million in DSH payments and safety-net programs since 2004 and claims a continuous shortfall of more than $198 million since then from serving Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Nevertheless, the panel rejected the hospital’s argument that denial of the DSH benefits for 2010 and 2011 was an unduly harsh sanction and that Parkview had a contract with FSSA and it suffered a disproportionate forfeiture.

“Based upon the record, the decision of the Secretary of FSSA was not arbitrary, capricious, or unsupported by substantial evidence. In addition, there was no contract or agreement of material terms and conditions regarding DSH payments supporting a forfeiture claim,” Brown wrote.

“For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the July 25, 2014 judgment of the trial court affirming the decision of the Secretary of FSSA.”