MASSENA -- There has been no word yet on Massena Memorial Hospital's pending application to change their insurance reimbursement designation, interim CEO Pat Facteau reported at Monday's MMH board meeting.

MMH is in the process of converting from what the state labels as “sole community provider” to “critical access hospital.”

In May, the Town of Massena published a statement going over MMH’s financial picture. It claims the hospital could see a net gain of as much as $2.6 million by the end of the year, if they get the critical access designation.

MMH officials have previously stated that critical access status is granted by the state Department of Health based on patient volume. If approved, would bring in more money from Medicare reimbursements.

The designation is based on the average number of patients, which in recent years has dipped to levels that makes MMH eligible for the change.

MMH officials are seeking the critical access designation amid growing financial losses. Year-to-date in 2019, MMH has lost $3.5 million, including an $855,000 deficit in May alone. The numbers were reported on a May financial and statistical summary made public at the Monday, May 17 MMH board meeting.