Frequently Asked Questions

As a valued member of this community, we anticipate you will have questions. It’s our goal to share as much information as we have available at this point in the process. On this page you will find answers to what we anticipate will be the most frequent questions. We will continually update this page as more information is available or other questions arise.

ACCESS TO CARE AND EXPANSION OF SERVICES

Will the cost of my care increase?

We don’t anticipate any cost of care increases. Specific costs will continue to be determined based on patient needs and insurance coverage. However, our decision to expand this partnership with UK HealthCare will broaden access to resources, treatment options, and other medical specialty areas. Working alongside UK HealthCare, UK St. Claire will continue to provide life-changing medical care to the region, just as we have been doing for years. UK HealthCare was chosen as the best partner for our region because of their ongoing commitment to keeping health care local. Access to the resources and expanded insurance networks available through the UK HealthCare network will be a valuable asset to our patients and their families.

Will they still take my insurance?

All insurance plans previously accepted by the UK St. Claire system will continue to be accepted. For questions regarding healthcare coverage, please contact Leigh Anne Stiltner at 606-783-6932 or your insurance provider.

Will my access to care or doctor change?

You will still have access to your current providers right here in our region. Through this partnership, you will also have access to additional specialists and treatment options with UK HealthCare, which has committed to developing advanced medical care right here in Northeastern Kentucky in the coming years.

How will this affect the quality of my care?

UK St. Claire has provided excellent care to the region for over 60 years. We have enjoyed a partnership with UK HealthCare for many years. Our decision to expand this partnership will support the great work our staff has provided to the community since we were established in 1963. Through access to additional specialists, resources, and treatments available within the UK HealthCare system, patients and their families will benefit from the enhanced continuum of high-quality care you have come to expect.

Will I have to start traveling further to get care?

You will still have access to your current providers right here in our region. UK HealthCare rose to the top of our list as a choice partnership because they are committed to investing in our region through expanded medical education opportunities and infrastructure improvements. This decision to expand our existing partnership will offer patients and their families access to additional specialists, resources, and treatments available through the UK HealthCare system at UK St. Claire and satellite campuses. Patients and their families will receive the same high-quality care you have come to expect from UK St. Claire and UK HealthCare. Additionally, we anticipate bringing more services to UK St. Claire in Morehead and within our regional clinics.

Will this have a positive impact on what I can afford, especially if I'm a medicare/medicaid patient?

Yes, thanks to our ability to share resources with UK HealthCare! We already know we will have more options to better treat behavioral health needs and women & children specialities. All insurance programs we participate in will continue. Many of our patients are seniors, experience financial hardships and/or disabilities. We have always been called to serve everyone in our community and we will continue to do so. We do not deny services to anyone based on their ability to pay and neither does UK HealthCare. In addition, the UK “charity care” policy will be adopted to help our patients in the future. For more information about this financial assistance program, visit https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/patients-visitors/patients/payment-insurance/financial-assistance

What does the expansion of services and a new facility look like for UK St. Claire?

UK HealthCare wants to continue to develop enhanced services here in Northeastern Kentucky. Planning for growth and development takes time and consideration. We commit to being good stewards of our resources and we will be as transparent as we can with facility planning announcements. We appreciate your patience as we continue ironing out plans that will benefit our region for many years to come.

What does the relationship look like in the future for inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice services?

These services are incredibly important to your overall well-being. We are diligently working with UK HealthCare to establish the future for these types of services. This will be the first time UK has established services of this kind instead of contracting them out to another organization, so it is likely they will want to remain heavily involved in their establishment and growth. They are excited by the services we offer at SCH and how we meet patients' needs. UK St. Claire will be at the forefront of their expansion of this program throughout the state. As always, when more information becomes available we will share it with you.

How will pharmacy services at UK St. Claire be impacted by the partnership?

UK HealthCare is nationally recognized for their expertise in integrating various governmental pharmaceutical assistance program,. We were drawn to this opportunity in order to increase access and affordability of pharmaceutical care, while also providing funds to help subsidize local educational programs.

Will a pediatric unit be added?

Hospital admission rates have dropped significantly for children. Most treatment needs are addressed with ambulatory services. However, we will continue to assess the need in the community and make decisions based on that data. We will keep OB (Obstetrics) and perhaps add a nursery, but likely not a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) as we build new infrastructure.

Will trauma care services increase ?

We are already handling an increased number of trauma cases. Transfer rates to other trauma centers have dropped by 62% in recent years. We are in the process of adding additional specialists, and plan to hire physicians trained in trauma response/care. We will use resources to continue to grow these services that will make a level 3 trauma center designation possible.

How will this affect local health outcomes and access to treatments?

UK St. Claire anticipates substantially improved access to services and health outcomes through this collaboration. Since 1947, when Dr. Claire Louise Caudill and nurse Susie Halbleib first began administering healthcare to the people of this region, we have embraced every opportunity to improve our resources and capacity for care. With this latest expansion–our choice to partner with UK HealthCare–the increased access to advanced medical technology and additional specialists, coupled with the dedicated staff at UK St. Claire, will produce positive outcomes for patients, their families, and the community as a whole.

OPERATIONS

When I call UK St. Claire, will I be speaking with someone at the Morehead location, or will that be contracted out?

We will continue providing excellent customer service locally as long as it meets your needs as our valued patients and community members.

UK St. Claire is a nonprofit organization. Will UK St. Claire still be a nonprofit?

Yes, we will remain a non-profit organization. UK HealthCare and King’s Daughters are both non-profit organizations as well. The only changes will be to our board of directors, which will consist of many of the same board members, just with a different structure.

How will this affect the local economy, taxes, and jobs?

UK HealthCare has a proven track record with partnerships like these. As a result of this expanded partnership, UK’s projected economic investment in the Northeastern Kentucky region, including investments in clinical resources, infrastructure, and educational opportunities, is expected to exceed $300M in the coming years. Since Mr. Lloyd assumed his role as the president of the hospital, hundreds of employees have been added. Historically, expanded partnerships with UK HealthCare have also resulted in increased staffing and resources to the communities served, which adds tax revenue to our community, as well as projects that will boost the local economy. This was a significant factor in our selection of UK HealthCare as the best partner for our continued work for our patients and their families.

What will happen with the Sisters of Notre Dame and the UK St. Claire religious affiliation?

The Sisters of Notre Dame will remain within our community, continuing their mission of showing God’s love and compassion in expanded forms through the establishment of a private, independent foundation. We are excited to see the ways they continue their work supporting our friends and neighbors, beyond the walls of the UK St. Claire facility.

Will UK St. Claire continue to support community programs?

Since the beginning, UK St. Claire has focused on patient care and community stewardship. After considering several other organizations for this partnership, UK HealthCare was selected because they aligned with our mission to integrate clinical care locally, invest in the region in order to increase jobs and access to educational opportunities, and continue our drive to expand healthcare in our region rather than consolidate services. This elective partnership will only strengthen our ability to support various community programs, building upon our legacy in Northeastern Kentucky and beyond.

What does this partnership mean for my job/academic program?

UK HealthCare has been a part of the legacy of UK St. Claire for decades, and UK St. Claire has had a strong partnership with the UK Colleges of Medicine, Health Sciences, and Pharmacy. As UK St. Claire will continue to make investments in workforce and academic programming to support the creation of a medical education hub in our community. Our decision to expand this partnership at this time will be a significant investment in the region and will provide students the opportunity to learn at one of the largest rural hospitals in Northeastern Kentucky.

How will this affect the governance of the hospital? Who will be in charge?

A new UK St. Claire Board of Directors will be created to include regional community members, St. Claire board members, and representatives from St. Claire and UK leadership. Mr. Donald H. Lloyd II will remain in his role as President and CEO of UK St. Claire.

FACILITIES

Will I have to pay for parking?

There are no immediate plans to begin charging for parking at UK St. Claire.

How will you address limited parking as the number of staff and patients increase?

We understand that parking may present a temporary challenge. Rest assured, we will address this issue with the new facility.

Are details about the new hospital location available?

We do not have specific details available yet, however our intention is to make the best decision possible for Morehead, Rowan County, and most importantly, the UK St. Claire staff and patients we serve.

Once new infrastructure is in place, what happens to current infrastructure?

Since our last master facilities plan, we all have experienced a period of hyperinflation which has caused building prices to spike significantly. As a result, you can expect a blend of new build and rehabilitation of our current facilities for now. We will carefully consider the most efficient and effective way to update our current facilities. It will take a few years to plan for new infrastructure facilities, including a new medical education campus, and a few years to complete those builds.