WARREN, Ohio - On October 14, four days after losing certification for Medicare and Medicaid services, Insight hospital made the surprise announcement they would be reopening. At that time, our reporter asked United States Senator Bernie Moreno how the hospital could operate after losing that certification. 

He replied: "Well that's back" and praised Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of CMS, for helping to make it happen. 

The problem: that wasn't true. 

A source inside CMS said that Insight's certification was never restored after lapsing on October 10. A spokesperson for Insight says the hospital is working through regulatory matters, but is still accepting patients with Medicare and Medicaid.

Union reps say this is not acceptable. 

“Transparency is needed even if its unpleasant transparency…we sympathize with the patients for being in this healthcare desert as its developing to be and we sympathize with them. We want people to be able to come and use the hospitals,”  Tom Connelly, the Insight nurses Union Representative said.

Without the certification patents with Medicare and Medicaid are on the hook for the full amount of bills for visits after October 10th.

But they may have options. 

“They would have recourse against the hospital for the unpaid bills, essentially they were under the impression that when they went there their bills were going to be covered by Medicare or Medicaid,” Frank Cassese, Attorney & Partner at Betras Kopp said.

We asked Moreno's office about the inaccurate statement, but they did not address it directly, saying:

“Senator Moreno has worked tirelessly to help Insight navigate bureaucratic red tape to ensure the people of Warren have access to the critical services and care they need. Insight must meet the regulatory standards, which are in place for patient safety, of the Department of Health and Center for Medicaid Services. Senator Moreno remains hopeful and will continue to work with all parties to ensure the best possible outcome for Trumbull County.”

Insight declined to answer any additional questions.