WATCHDOG: Mercy Health St. Elizabeth hospital at risk of losing Medicare accreditation

YOUNGSTOWN - Medicare enrollees are at risk of losing access coverage at the only Hospital in downtown Youngstown.

Mercy Health Saint Elizabeth was found to be not in compliance with Medicare requirements after a review on September 3.

St. Elizabeth has been a Medicare accredited hospital for as long as the program has existed. A letter sent to the hospital from CMS said that could change if changes are not made.

The letter doesn't specify what problems led to the possible loss of certification, but it came days after a patient fatally shot himself inside the hospital in August.

The letter reads “Based on our review of the survey findings, we have determined that MH St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital is not in compliance with the following Medicare Condition of Participation for hospit