The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) has released its annual report on community benefit, Caring for our Communities, detailing the $2.6 billion in community benefit and other types of community support provided by Virginia’s tax-exempt hospitals in 2012. Within that number, Augusta Health’s community benefit and support in 2012 totaled $29,392,381.
“Community Benefit” is defined by the Internal Revenue Service, and the data is based on hospital costs, not charges. It includes financial assistance, subsidized health services, and program and services that meet community benefit criteria.
“As a community hospital, Augusta Health constantly focuses on working with local partners and our own Community Benefits Committee to develop and refine our community benefit programs and services,” said Mary N. Mannix, FACHE, President and CEO of Augusta Health. “Since 2012, the collection period for this data, we have completed another Community Health Needs Assessment, and are starting to collaborate on initiatives to address the needs that were identified in that report.”
Augusta Health’s Community Benefit data for 2012 were:
- Charity Care $8,000,220
- Medicaid Shortfall $4,855,486
- Total Assistance $12,855,706
- Community Benefit Programs $4,800,133 This include free screenings, free labs for Free Clinic patients, the School of Clinical Lab Science, subsidies to Behavioral Health, Community Grants and other items
- Total Assistance and CB: $17,655,839
In addition, Augusta Health’s contributions to the community included:
- Medicare Shortfall $3,779,915
- Bad Debt Expense $4,984,663
- Bad Debt-Eligible for Assistance $2,969,171
- Community Building $2,793
- Taxes Paid $328,853
- Total Other $11,736,542
- Total $29,392,381
The VHHA also reports community impact in terms of volumes. Augusta Health’s volumes in 2012 were:
- Emergency Department Visits 56,530
- Inpatient Admissions 11,176
- Outpatient Visits 584,516
- Babies Delivered 1,157
Augusta Health is an independent, nonprofit community hospital whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of our community through access to excellent care. Named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters in both 2011 and 2012, Augusta Health has also been nationally recognized by HealthGrades for clinical excellence and patient safety and has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospital by HealthGrades. For more information about Augusta Health, its programs or its services, please contact public relations at 540.245.7329 or 540.221.7329, or visit our website, www.augustahealth.com.
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Chris Graham
