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COVID-19: SLUCare Budgetary Update

May 4, 2020

SLUCare Faculty and Staff,

On April 23, I shared with you that we must take action to respond to the financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have on SLUCare. Today, I write to let you know about many of the actions that we intend to take to help address SLUCare’s financial challenges.

Suspending non-urgent and elective services was the right thing to do to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but it has had significant financial consequences for SLUCare. We have experienced upwards of a 70% decline in patient volumes, and if we do not act, SLUCare’s losses could total more than $13 million by the end of this fiscal year. Our losses in SLUCare are mounting by the day and they are unsustainable. There is a clear and urgent need to act now.

After considering all possible options, we have decided to take the following actions:

Our decisions were not made lightly but were the product of conversation, collaboration and careful analysis. It is important for you to know that our planning has been guided by a commitment to take no measures beyond what is necessary.

Temporary Staff Furloughs

This week, 130 SLUCare employees in clinical and non-clinical areas will be informed by their chairs or supervisors that they are temporarily furloughed. Comprising approximately 11% of SLUCare’s total workforce, these employees work in a range of areas within the practice.

Decisions regarding furloughs were made in consultation with chairs and were based primarily on clinical demand and the amount of work available.

For most furloughed SLUCare employees, their unpaid leave begins May 5. We are hopeful that they will be able to return to work no later than July 31. SLUCare leadership will continue to monitor capacity and will redeploy resources where possible to minimize the length of the furlough. It is our intention to bring them back to work just as soon as we are able.

For any impacted employees who are on SLU’s health insurance plan, their coverage will be maintained during the furlough period, and the University will cover their medical premiums – excluding vision, dental and other voluntary benefits – for the duration of their furloughs as well.

Employees also may apply for unemployment benefits, and Human Resources staff will be available to help them navigate this process. 

Faculty Compensation Adjustments and Voluntary Pay Reductions

In addition to temporary staff furloughs, there will be compensation changes for SLUCare leadership and faculty. Those actions are summarized below.

Please note that these actions for SLUCare do not preclude University-wide changes that are part of SLU’s overall budget response.

As you know, SLUCare is not alone in facing financial challenges due to this terrible pandemic. Medical practices and health care systems here in our region and across the nation are experiencing similar challenges. Many have already announced employee furloughs, and I’m sure more will follow.

In response to these unprecedented circumstances, we have been required to make very difficult decisions. We deeply regret the impact that our decisions will have on our furloughed employees and their families. I know you will support your colleagues during these uncertain times as we look toward the day – very soon I hope – that we can all return and resume the critical work we are called to do.

Thank you for all that you do for our patients, for SLUCare and our University,

Robert Wilmott, M.D.

Dean, School of Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs