• Telephone Town Hall scheduled for May 8

With Star Valley Health facing a 3.5 million shortfall, associated with bad debt and a computer accounting error, the district owned hospital is laying out plans for the year.

“Star Valley Health is taking swift and thoughtful action after a financial oversight triggered a deeper look at broader financial challenges facing rural healthcare providers.”

In a written statement, SV Health CEO Dan Ordyna summarized the challenges for  health care.

“For the past two decades, healthcare costs have steadily risen, and insurance companies have shifted more financial responsibility to employers—and ultimately, to patients themselves,” explained Dan Ordyna, CEO. “High-deductible health plans are now common. This leaves patients facing significant out-of-pocket costs,  often amounting to thousands of dollars. As a result, hospitals like ours face increasing challenges in collecting payments and maintaining financial stability.”

Financial Review

The problems were noted in a March financial review, according to the hospital.

“The financial oversight was the result of new software installed in 2024. Data was not shared in the same way, and as a result the amount of uncollected debt was not recorded. This impacted the organization’s income statement and projected cash flow.

“The hospital discovered the problem during an internal financial review in March. In response, leadership has implemented strengthened accounting practices and enhanced financial controls to prevent future errors.”

The CEO’s report noted increased revenues with the expanded services in Wyoming.

“Even with strong growth in recent years, the broader economic environment has created new hurdles. From 2021 to 2024, Star Valley Health’s revenues nearly doubled—from $55 million to $110 million—as the organization expanded services across western Wyoming. Today, 30% of its patients come from outside Star Valley, up from 20% just a few years ago. However, like healthcare organizations across the country, Star Valley Health is feeling the strain from rising bad debt, inflation, and shifting insurance practices.”

Despite current challenges, the future for Star Valley Health remains bright, says Ordyna. He noted, “Growth in services, increased regional reach, and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals all contribute to the organization’s resilience.”

Immediate Action Plan

To stabilize operations and position the organization for long-term success, Star Valley Health has initiated several immediate steps:

• Strengthening accounting controls and implementing enhanced internal review processes.

• Collecting patient copayments, deductibles, and co-insurance payments upfront where possible, while continuing to offer interest-free payment plans for those who need assistance.

• Delaying non-essential capital expenditures until fiscal year 2026 unless projects are critical to patient care.

• Pausing discretionary spending, including non-essential travel and conference attendance.

• Reviewing staffing levels and overtime costs through a core staffing analysis, and implementing a general hiring freeze for non-critical positions.

• Holding weekly leadership strategy and training sessions to maintain alignment, transparency, and rapid problem-solving.

Proactive approach

Ordyna emphasized that the organization’s financial fundamentals remain strong. These actions are not signs of crisis, but part of a disciplined, proactive approach to ensuring stability during a time of national healthcare uncertainty.

SV Health Town Hall  will be May 8

Recognizing the need for open communication, Star Valley Health will host a community Town Hall Meeting by phone on May 8 at 4 p.m. The meeting will provide an opportunity to answer community questions about healthcare billing practices, explain how local tax levies support services, and share updates on the steps being taken to strengthen the organization.

Visit StarValleyHealth.org to register for the town hall.

During the one-hour town hall, Dan Ordyna, CEO, and other hospital leaders will take questions from the community following a brief introduction.

“These past few years have been a time of growth and expansion with new services and new providers joining our team,” says Ordyna. “Now we’re facing some financial restraints. We want to give the community a chance to ask their questions about anything, and we’ll do our best to answer them.”

This telephone town hall format allows people from all over the region to join from their homes or businesses.

“We know that hospital billing can be confusing and frustrating,” said Ordyna. “We are committed to improving communication, setting clearer expectations, and helping patients better understand their healthcare costs.”

Those who register will receive a phone call on May 8, at 4 p.m. All they have to do to join the call is answer their phone.

Looking Ahead

“We are combining the heart of compassionate care with smart, disciplined decision-making,” explained Ordyna. “That’s a powerful combination. Our commitment to high-quality healthcare remains as strong as ever, and together with our staff, patients, and community, we will move forward stronger than before.”

Star Valley Health deeply appreciates the trust and support of the community and looks forward to continuing its mission of providing outstanding, accessible healthcare across western Wyoming.