Cedar County Memorial Hospital Reports Profit in February

March 23, 2026 — The Cedar County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) Board heard positive news during the financial report at Wednesday’s regular Board of Trustees meeting. Expenses were down and revenue was up in February compared to the same month in 2025, resulting in a slight net profit for the month.

Chief Executive Officer Don Carpenter was in attendance and reported on his first weeks on the job. His priority during this time has been to “listen and learn”, meeting with department leaders and others to learn about what is going right and what could be improved.

“The strengths of this hospital are clearly the people in the organization as well as the people in the communities,” said Carpenter. “Between those two and the passion they have for the organization, there’s really nothing we can’t accomplish.”

The board was supplied with additional updates on internal operations and service expansions, including the approval of the CCMH Nuclear Medicine service license by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. With licensure now in place, delivery of the equipment is scheduled for mid-April, and an announcement of the service start date will follow its arrival.

Chief Financial Officer Carla Gilbert gave the February financial report with favorable comparisons to the same month in 2025.

Financial Report Highlights

February 2026 financials as compared to February 2025:
• Gross operating revenue: $3,215,592 (up from $3,031,953 in 2025)
• Net operating revenue: $1,769,023 (up from $1,557,804 in 2025)
• Operating expenses: $1,694,515 (down from $1,719,764 in 2025)
• Net profit from operations: $74,508 (as compared to a loss of $161,960 in 2025)
• Days Cash on Hand: 135 (up from 132 in January, also 135 in February of 2025)

The board approved the renewal of the hospital's liability insurance, securing a notably lower premium for 2026. CCMH is part of Missouri Hospital Plan, a self-funded consortium of hospitals, and will receive $60,000 in dividends from the 2025 policy year — bringing the effective cost of last year's coverage well below its $109,556 premium. The 2026 premium comes in even lower at $72,099, reflecting the hospital's strong performance within the plan.

Also approved was the decision to apply for a $300,000 loan through Sac Osage Electric Cooperative which offers a low interest rate and allows the use of the hospital’s financial CDs as collateral. The purpose of the loan will be to reduce the cash used from reserves to fund the upcoming construction of a new MRI/CT Suite.

Carpenter also expressed enthusiasm for CCMH's continued membership in the Show-Me High Value Network (SMHVN), a group of hospitals that work together to negotiate fair reimbursement rates with insurance payors. He highlighted the network's work to establish an accountable care organization (ACO) — a model in which hospitals commit to meeting specific quality standards in exchange for financial rewards when patient outcomes improve and costs are reduced. Carpenter noted that ACO participation could represent a significant new revenue stream for CCMH, potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. SMHVN has also applied for Rural Health Transformation funds through the state of Missouri, which, if awarded, could cover the $30,000 membership dues for each participating hospital.

Community member, Cheryl Thornton, informed the board of an opportunity to meet with legislators at the upcoming Lincoln Days scheduled for April 15th. The next regular board meeting would be the same day and was rescheduled for April 16 to allow board members the opportunity to attend.

About Cedar County Memorial Hospital

Cedar County Memorial Hospital, located in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, has been serving Cedar County and the surrounding communities since 1960. With 10 acute care beds and a dedicated team of more than 130 healthcare professionals, the hospital provides a full range of services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced diagnostic imaging (CT and MRI), clinical laboratory testing, surgical procedures, physical and occupational therapy, and swing bed services. Cedar County Memorial Hospital is committed to delivering innovative, patient-centered care and using best practices to promote health and enhance the quality of life for its Friends, Family & Neighbors.

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Natalie Eberhard
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CCMH Marketing Dept
417.876.3745
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