Q: What will HCH’s relationship with Norton Healthcare look like going forward?
A: Our affiliation with Norton Healthcare ended on November 1, but we continue to have a strong working relationship.
Q: Can you provide clarity on the continued involvement of the Norton specialists?
A: We anticipate no changes to our specialist teams, including the Norton specialists. Those with offices on the HCH campus, —such as the Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Cardiology—will remain.
Q: Will all insurances be accepted?
A: We will have the same networks and accept the same insurances as we currently do.
Q: If a patient needs specialized care, will services still be available locally, or would they need to travel to Evansville?
A: Harrison County Hospital along with Deaconess, understands the importance of receiving care close to home. We will continue to transport and refer patients as we always have—to the most appropriate level of care that is the most convenient for the patient. Our local transfer agreements will remain in place. Patient preference will continue to be honored.
Q: If I call 911 or call for an ambulance, will I be transported to Evansville or a Deaconess facility?
A: Our current practices remain in place and patients will be transported to the closest appropriate facility based on patient preference and/or condition.
Q: Does Deaconess own Harrison County Hospital?
A: No. We will have an affiliation agreement with Deaconess. We will continue to be a county hospital, with our local board and local Administrators. Decisions will continue to be made locally.
Q: What does this mean for the OB Department?
A: While this continues to be an issue across all of Indiana and our nation, we have never stopped recruiting with hopes to reopen the OB Department. We are using all of our resources to determine the best plan moving forward.
Q: What will Deaconess offer that Norton could not, especially given the greater distance?
A: This affiliation does not replace existing relationships. It provides Harrison County Hospital with additional access to system-level expertise, technology, clinical support, shared best practices and coordinated care resources, all while keeping care local and decision-making in the community.
Q: Has there been any hospital you have not been able to help? If so, what happened?
A: No.
Q: Will the name of the hospital change?
A: No.
If your question was not answered here, you may visit this link to submit your question and those will be added — https://www.deaconess.com/hchquestions