Dual-Campus Strategy FAQs

Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe has aging infrastructure which will no longer meet the community's growing health needs. Building a new hospital will avoid patient and service disruption and provide state-of-the-art technology and facilities to meet future healthcare needs in our community.

Due to the current hospital’s limited footprint and aging infrastructure, as well as California’s 2030 seismic requirements, Barton leadership began an action plan for the needed adjustments to remain viable into the future while replacing and expanding infrastructure to care for the community.

Additional advantages of constructing a new hospital in Nevada include approximately $100 million construction cost savings and three years less construction time (estimated).

Barton remains committed to patient care in California; the South Lake Tahoe campus will continue to offer outpatient services, which comprise roughly 90% of patient visits currently.

To accommodate increased healthcare demand, outpatient health services on both campuses will expand and will include primary care offices, specialty offices, and ancillary services (e.g., laboratory, x-ray, and rehabilitation/ physical therapy).

On the South Lake Tahoe campus, in addition to outpatient services, the Barton Community Health Center (BCHC) will expand services to meet the care needs of patients who utilize Medi-Cal, and the Robert Maloff Center which houses the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness will continue to offer leading orthopedic, rehabilitation, and sports medicine services. Walk-in care for urgent needs will be available.

Changes to Barton’s campuses will take years to complete. In the short term, patients will have access to the same services currently offered. Any transitions, such as office relocations, will be planned with an emphasis on minimizing patient impact.

In the long term, patients will experience enhanced care and additional services in state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology and procedures. A comprehensive facilities plan is in development, which will outline the various services offered on each campus.

Patient needs, and the related travel time, vary by patient.

Outpatient - 90% of patient visits take place in outpatient or ancillary offices and these services will continue to be available on both campuses. Travel time will not change for most services used.

Emergency/ Inpatient - Stabilization is key to emergency care — first responder time will not change. They will continue to be located throughout the community and are trained in life-saving techniques, stabilization, and transport. Ambulances are prioritized and bypass driving traffic.

With Barton’s primary service area stretching from Meyers to Glenbrook travel time will increase for some, while decreasing for others. Emergency services are utilized at a higher rate in the area between the two current hospital campuses (spanning Al Tahoe/ Bijou and Stateline); travel time will be similar or less for the urban core population and its tourist swell of up to 60,000 visitors.

Currently, Barton offers health care services in two states and will continue to do so. Many of the current insurance contracts include crossing state lines for services since our community is located across a state line.

Patients can be seen in the state they live in for most services needed as outpatient services will be offered on both campuses. Emergency and acute care (hospital needs) are typically covered across state lines; thus, insurance is expected to cover emergency and acute care services, regardless of state-specific insurance types.

Barton teams will work with payors to prepare for the new hospital facility, including negotiating contracts for coverage to cross state lines for services deemed medically necessary. Meeting with the payors and understanding options will allow Barton to address gaps in coverage. This will be a key focus during the next few years.

Barton values our Skilled Nursing Facility team and the invaluable service provided to our community. As the current Nevada-based hospital approval is directional only, the upcoming years will be spent researching and exercising the plan’s due diligence. Feedback and data-backed variables will determine opportunities for growth and final locations of current services.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a national body which certifies Trauma programs. Our Level III Trauma Center is a keystone program, elevating care throughout Barton Memorial Hospital, and remains an integral part of our health system. We will continue to engage ACS and the State of Nevada whenever needed.

Healthcare organizations are beholden to state and federal regulations, including building standards. Both California and Nevada have safety requirements in their building codes. Barton will meet these state and federal regulations, ensuring a safe, new hospital.