COPA Archives post issuance
07/01/22 - The "Third Amended and Restated Terms of Certification Governing the Certificate of Public Advantage Issued to Ballad Health Pursuant to the Master Affiliation Agreement and Plan of Integration By and Between Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance," dated July 1, 2022. A summary of the changes.
05/18/21 - The "Second Amended and Restated Terms of Certification Governing the Certificate of Public Advantage Issued to Ballad Health Pursuant to the Master Affiliation Agreement and Plan of Integration By and Between Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance," dated April 27, 2021. A summary of the changes.
12/21/20 – The COPA Monitor submitted to TDH a letter on Ballad’s compliance with provisions related to Charity Care in the Terms of Certification.
12/21/20 – A letter from the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the approval of Ballad Health’s request to consolidate labor and delivery services in Kingsport, Tennessee.
11/30/20 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health the system’s Addendum 1 Report for Fiscal Year 2020.
11/25/20 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health the Fiscal Year 2020 Ballad Health Annual Report, and the Fiscal Year 2020 COPA Compliance Office Annual Report, for the reporting period July1, 2019 – February 29, 2020.
11/12/20 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health a letter requesting approval of the permanent consolidation of labor and delivery services in Kingsport, Tennessee.
11/05/20 – A letter from the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the approval of Ballad Health’s request to repurpose Greeneville Community Hospital West into a residential addiction treatment facility for women who are pregnant or parenting.
10/28/20 - Ballad Health’s update on plan to reinstitute inpatient services at Unicoi County Hospital.
10/13/20 - Ballad Health ‘s waiver request for actions related to Ballad Health cardiology program.
9/29/20 - The Tennessee Department of Health’s response to Ballad’s request for HR/GME Plan Modification.
09/25/20 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health a letter requesting consent to terminate the Geropsychiatric Unit Service Line and the Inpatient Rehab Service Line at Greeneville Community Hospital West in order to repurpose it into a residential facility to treat addicted women who are pregnant or parenting.
9/18/20 - Ballad Health ‘s request for HR/GME Plan Modification.
4/6/20 – The COPA 2020 Department Annual Report covers Fiscal Year July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019.
3/6/20 - The 2020 COPA Monitor Annual Report.
2/28/20 – Commissioner Piercey extended the Waiver for Cross-Credentialing Employed Physician at Ballad Health hospitals through April 30, 2020.
2/25/20 – The Department published its Year 1 COPA Index Reports: the 2019 Population Health Report, 2019 Access to Health Services Report, and 2019 Other (Quality) Report.
2/17/20 - Ballad Health ‘s requests related to reorganization of cardiovascular services in Greene County, TN.
2/13/20 - The Ballad Health FY20 2nd Quarter Quarterly Report, for reporting period October 1, 2019-December 31, 2019. Ballad Health’s submitted amended language for Item G of their FY20 2nd Quarter Quarterly Report by email on February 28, 2020 and by formal letter on March 1, 2021.
2/6/20 – The COPA Local Advisory Council 2020 Annual Report.
1/14/20 – Commissioner Piercey signed two Employed Physician Waivers, one granting Ballad Health’s request for a continuation of the waiver of the 35% limitation for cardiovascular disease at Holston Valley Medical Center, and one granting Ballad Health’s request for a continuation of the waiver of the 35% limitation for pulmonary disease at Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital.
1/14/20 – A letter from the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the conditional approval of Ballad Health’s Rural Health Plan.
1/7/20 – The transcript from the COPA Local Advisory Council’s Annual Public Hearing held January 7, 2020.
12/04/19 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health a letter requesting a waiver of the 35% limitation for pulmonology at Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital and a letter requesting a waiver of the 35% limitation for cardiovascular disease that would allow Dr. Ponder to obtain privileges at Holston Valley Medical Center.
12/3/19 – Commissioner Piercey signed an Employed Physician Waiver, granting Ballad Health’s request for a continuation of the waiver of the 35% limitation for neurology at Johnson City Medical Center.
12/3/19 – Commissioner Piercey signed an Employed Physician Waiver, granting Ballad Health’s request for a continuation of the waiver of the 35% limitation for cardiothoracic surgery at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
11/30/19 – The Department’s COPA Index Reports, which include the Population Health Report, Access to Health Services Report, and Other (Quality) Report, were updated by the Tennessee Department of Health.
11/15/19 – The Ballad Health FY20 1st Quarter Quarterly Report, for reporting period July 1, 2019-September 30, 2019.
10/28/19 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health, the Fiscal Year 2019 Ballad Health Annual Report, as well as the Fiscal Year 2019 COPA Compliance Office Annual Report, for reporting period July1, 2018 - June 30, 2019. Ballad Health also submitted an Executive Summary of these annual reports.
10/14/19 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health a letter requesting a waiver of the 35% limitation for neurology at Johnson City Medical Center.
10/11/19 – Ballad Health submitted to the Tennessee Department of Health a letter requesting a waiver of the 35% limitation for cardiothoracic Surgery at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
9/30/19 – A Letter from Alan Levine to Commissioner Piercey regarding a STRONG Children and Families Model for Change was received by the Tennessee Department of Health.
08/12/19 - The "Amended and Restated Terms of Certification Governing the Certificate of Public Advantage Issued to Ballad Health Pursuant to the Master Affiliation Agreement and Plan of Integration By and Between Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance," dated July 31, 2019, can be read here. A summary of the changes can be read here.
6/26/19 – FY20 Implementation Roadmaps containing updated schedules of quarterly milestones and data metrics for Ballad Health’s six 3-year plans: Behavioral Health, Children’s Health, Health Information Exchange, Health Research and GME, Population Health and Rural Health.
5/31/19 – Commissioner Piercey signed an Employed Physician Waivers, granting Ballad Health’s request for a continuation of the waiver of the 35% limitation for cardiovascular disease at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
05/15/19 – The Ballad Health Quarterly Report, for reporting period January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019, can be read here.
5/7/19 – A letter regarding the Department’s conditional approval of Ballad Health’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Health Research and Graduate Medical Education (HR/GME) Plans can be read here. The HIE Plan submitted by Ballad can be read here. The HR/GME submitted by Ballad can be read here.
5/7/19 – The Department Annual Report can be read here.
5/1/19 - Ballad NICU Consolidation Statement can be read here.
4/7/19 – The COPA Monitor Annual Report can be read here.
3/8/19 – The COPA Local Advisory Council’s Annual Report can be read here.
3/6/19 – The Department’s COPA Index Reports, which include the Population Health Report, Access to Health Services Report, and Other (Quality) Report, can be read here.
3/5/19 – A signed Conditional Waiver, regarding cross-credentialing of Employed Physicians at all Ballad hospitals, can be read here.
3/5/19 – A letter regarding the Department’s conditional approval of Ballad Health’s Behavioral Health, Children’s Health, and Population Health Plans can be read here.
2/22/19 – A letter regarding Population Health Sub-Index measurement revisions can be read here.
2/15/2019 – The Ballad Health Quarterly Report for reporting period October 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 can be read here.
2/07/19 – The transcript from the COPA Local Advisory Council’s Annual Public Hearing held February 7, 2019 can be read here.
1/31/19 - Ballad Health ‘s Rural Health Plan.
1/29/19 – A letter from Alan Levine to Commissioner Piercey providing notice regarding Ballad Health’s plan to consolidate services in Greene County can be read here.
1/19/19 – A letter from Alan Levine responding to Commissioner Dreyzehner’s 1/16/19 request for additional information regarding Ballad Health’s NICU consolidation proposal can be read here.
1/16/19 – The COPA Local Advisory Council schedules its first Annual Public Hearing. Read the press release here.
1/16/19 - A letter from Commissioner Dreyzehner requesting additional information on Ballad Health's NICU consolidation proposal can be read here.
12/28/18 – A letter from Alan Levine responding to Commissioner Dreyzehner’s request for additional information regarding Ballad Health’s NICU consolidation proposal can be read here.
12/13/18 – A letter from Commissioner Dreyzehner regarding Ballad Health’s NICU consolidation proposal can be read here.
12/6/18 – A supplemental letter from Ballad Health detailing the organization's transport plans and telemedicine plans for the proposed coordination of newborn services can be read here.
12/5/18 - The Behavioral Health Plan submitted by Ballad can be read here. The Children’s Health Plan submitted by Ballad can be read here. The Population Health Plan submitted by Ballad can be read here.
11/20/18 – The Ballad Health Quarterly Report, for reporting period July 1, 2018 – September 30, 2018, can be read here.
11/19/18 – a supplemental letter to Commissioner Dreyzehner with additional information related to Ballad Health’s request to coordinate newborn services can be read here.
11/15/18 – The 2018 Ballad Health Annual Report, reporting on the period from February 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018, can be read here. The COPA Compliance Office Annual Report, for reporting period February 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018, can be read here.
11/12/18 – A letter from Ballad Health to Commissioner Dreyzehner regarding a proposed plan to coordinate newborn services can be read here.
9/26/18 – Commissioner Dreyzehner signed an Employed Physician Waiver granting Ballad Health’s request for an exception to and waiver of the 35% limitation on Employed Physicians for neurosurgery.
8/14/18 – Read Ballad Health’s 8/14/2018 Quarterly Report here. Read the 8/14/2018 COPA Compliance Office Quarterly Report here.
5/23/18 – Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH announces the appointment of members of the inaugural COPA Local Advisory Council. Read the press release here.
5/15/18 – Larry Fitzgerald named COPA Monitor. Read the Press release here.
5/14/18 – A letter from Ballad Health to Commissioner Dreyzehner regarding the submission of their Quarterly Report and COPA Compliance Office Quarterly Report can be read here. Read Ballad Health’s first Quarterly Report here. Read the COPA Compliance Office Quarterly Report here.
4/16/18 – A letter from Ballad Health to Commissioner Dreyzehner regarding planned merger related synergies can be read here.
3/1/18 – Lists of competing services with respect to each COPA Hospital, specifically lists of Ancillary Services and Post-Acute Services offered by providers competitive with Ballad Health can be read here.
2/28/18 – A signed Employed Physician Waiver, granting Ballad Health’s request for an exception to the 35% limitation on Employed Physicians for neurosurgery and for Employed Physicians for physical medicine and rehabilitation, respectively, can be read here.
1/31/18 – Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, announced that the state is officially allowing a merger of Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance by issuing a Certificate of Public Advantage or COPA to their parent company, Ballad Health. Read the news release here. Read the Terms of Certification here. Read the Certificate of Public Advantage here.