Greenville city officials are hailing an agreement with a medical management company that they say would continue comprehensive medical services at the city’s hospital.
The city announced Monday a letter of intent with Frey Medical Management to pursue buying Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama (RMCCA).
Last November, RMCCA announced it would transition to a rural emergency hospital, saying the move would be its “best opportunity to achieve financial stability and continue serving the healthcare needs of the Greenville community.”
If the hospital closed, it would result in about 90 employees being laid off.
A rural emergency hospital is a Medicare provider designation established by Congress in 2021. REHs maintain access to outpatient medical services in areas that may not be able to sustain a full-service hospital.
However, as the city noted in an announcement, rural emergency hospitals in Alabama have “experienced significant challenges.”
“This agreement allows Regional Medical Center to remain a full-service hospital, while also helping to retain jobs for our current employees who are vital to the care of our residents,” the city said in a statement. “Preserving a full service facility is essential to meeting the healthcare needs of Greenville and the surrounding area.”
Frey Medical Management is based in McMinnville, Tenn. Attempts to reach the company for comment were not immediately successful.