Administrative staff of the Oceana County Medical Care Facility (OCMCF) celebrated finishing a month of surveys - particularly those at state and federal levels - with satisfactory results at its Sept. 28 Oceana County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and OCMCF Board meeting. OCMCF remains at a 5-star overall rating for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) nursing homes, with the lowest score for quality control of 2.5 stars, upgrading to 3 stars.
CMS staffing rating also remains at 5 stars, despite ongoing struggles to retain permanent staffing, which has been supplemented with contracted nurses and aides. Another federal-level survey reviewed OCMCF overall favorably, finding only two areas of concern, for which the facility has submitted corrections that have been approved by surveyors and are awaiting official state approval.
Last month, the board recognized a decision made by Administrator Sally Choponis to apply to decertify 12 offline beds not currently in service. These 12 beds were formerly attached to double-occupancy rooms, which OCMCF is no longer allowing. A recent state ruling, which would have been effective Oct. 1, would have seen those beds either renewed as online - which would have had negative effects on the facility’s overall census numbers - or lose 24 beds entirely due to their status as double-room beds.
While approving the August minutes, Board member Larry VanSickle asked a clarifying question regarding the double-occupancy status of the de-certified rooms. This was sorted, though Choponis explained that, in the end, the effective date of the ruling was extended beyond Oct. 1, putting the facility and bed status in limbo. As for now, OCMCF will proceed with the status quo until they receive news of the decertification application. Following the discussion of beds, the minutes for the August meeting were approved.
In discussions of corporate compliance, the board was informed that on Sept. 1 a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violation complaint was filed. An internal review found no evidence of an information breach, and the claim was concluded to be “unsubstantiated,” explained Choponis, adding that the facility’s annual security risk assessment is also underway.
Administration reported on a variety of August outings, including two separate groups taking field trips to the Oceana County Fair. Upcoming activities include color tours for residents, particularly those within the memory care unit. Also at the memory care unit, Choponis reported that OCMCF is fine-tuning the activities available “to be more therapeutic, on a schedule to meet the various activity preferences and the needs of our residents.”
This shift has seen increased numbers and variety of activities, as well as greater staff involvement with residents. Choponis also took a moment to commend facility volunteers who “continue to be just a huge part of helping us create these amazing activity opportunities for our residents.”
For further commendation, Choponis recognized two facility employees for her monthly “Spotlight of Excellence” who share a common commitment to the excellence expected at OCMCF. First is LPN Lacy Zoldan, who is described as a team player and was recognized for the “amazing care and dedication she demonstrates every day.” Choponis continued, saying, “Lacy’s commitment to our residents is truly remarkable. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that they receive compassionate, high-quality care.”
Next was registered dietitian Heidi Findorff for providing outstanding care with “dedication that makes a difference to our residents every day… She embraces every task, every challenge, every opportunity to help others with a positive attitude and genuine compassion,” explained Choponis.
OCMCF Environmental Services Director Darren Troyer, who oversaw much of the building’s operation, maintenance and continued improvements, resigned in August. Clark Kelly, who had been working alongside Troyer as a consultant, accepted the role as plant manager in Troyer’s departure. While repairs and replacements of the kitchen HVAC and drains have been awarded bids, due to scheduling around contractors’ vacations and August surveys, projects have not yet begun.
Financial controller Cindy Leone gave the financial report, beginning with an explanation of receipt of Certified Public Expenditure (CPE) funds and its impact on the overall financial report. While CPE funds to the tune of $1.7 million have been received, they were not calculated into the total revenue for the facility in the month of August. Said Leone, this is to properly display the actual net loss of $12,992, producing a negative budget variance of $40,114.
Leone further clarified that the CPE funds are not set in stone, as they are based on the 2025 financial cost report, which has not yet been audited, and the Medicaid rate adjusted to reflect the audit. As such, historically, some of the CPE money is paid back in the future, with an average payment of $500,000. Leone said she wanted the board to see the reality of the finances before the CPE is factored in “because, otherwise, it’s going to look like we had an absolutely phenomenal month. And we didn’t have a bad one, not by any means, but it wouldn’t give you a clearer picture of what we really did.”
The month’s census has also been on a downward trend, though Choponis believes it’ll swing back up come autumn, especially in consideration of expected temporary residencies following surgeries, which many folks typically schedule after summer has finished. Choponis also announced a possible cost-saving change in drug-expense oversight. This would require looking closer at incoming residents’ medication lists and weighing the benefits and risks of changing to less expensive drugs should resident health allow. Administration staff are optimistic that this shift will have a positive impact on the facility’s monthly expenses.
The expense of contracting agency nurses and nurse aides continues to be high, and, as said by Leone, “They’re going to remain high until we can get some applications for nurses.”
VanSickle asked if OCMCF is remaining a competitive employer, considering wages and benefits. Choponis assured the board that OCMCF offers the highest wages of every medical care facility, though sign-on bonuses are no longer offered, as they did not seem to entice new applicants or help long-term retention.
Board chair Linda East also prompted discussion of the ever-confusing world of cable and streaming services, as it had been a reported concern for residents. OCMCF administration explained the difficulty of trying to balance cost efficiency, content requested by residents and keeping the required technology as minimally confusing for residents as possible. Even at the OCMCF, the struggle to figure out which streaming service offers the day’s Detroit Lions game remains a consistent aspect of modern life.
Following these discussions, the board accepted the financial report. Also discussed and accepted, although with some trepidation, was resolution 2026-03, which would discontinue reimbursements for Direct Care Wages (DCW) for non-Medicaid hours. With this change, which was made to comply with state and federal government regulations, OCMCF is now responsible for calculating and tracking the separate hours and associated wages. Said Choponis, the “administrative burden” is “actually going to be quite a nightmare.”
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Medicaid rates will be determined based on last year's reports, while hours will be evaluated at the current level. OCMCF would forfeit the now dwindling DCW pay if the board were to not accept the resolution, which would cut off wages that employees have now come to expect. In the interest of retaining as much of the DCW pay for employees as possible, the board accepted the resolution, with the stipulation that they will discontinue DCW pay if deemed necessary.
One public comment was given by an OCMCF nurse, Tara Bateson, who offered criticism of the facility’s employee retention, or perceived lack thereof. While she admitted that OCMCF offered competitive wages in comparison to other medical care facilities, they are losing staff to hospitals with better offers.
Bateson was also critical of the facility’s recent nursing staff restructuring, which she claims is “pushing people out of their current positions,” essentially laying them off, unless they take these restructured, non-union positions. Said Bateson, the environment is hostile and stressful - “I don’t think that we’re actually trying to keep staff because a lot of the attitude towards employees when any of us question anything is ‘Oh, well, if you don't like it, there's the door.’”
Bateson went on to explain that, “I’m not the only person feeling this way. And I’m not a disgruntled employee; I love my job. I’ve been there for 22 years. I see myself retiring there, but at this point, I don’t know what my future looks like there. And that’s scary, because I love my residents.”
The next meeting of the DHHS and OCMCF Board is Monday, Oct. 26 at Hart City Hall at 10:30 a.m.
