That amount, based on 2010 figures, includes $560,000 in uncompensated care and $2,324,032 in free or discounted community benefits that St. Anthony specifically implemented to help residents in Carroll and the surrounding area.

Community benefits are activities designed to improve health status and increase access to health care.  Along with uncompensated care (which includes both charity care and bad debt), community benefits include such services and programs as health screenings, support groups, counseling, immunizations, nutritional services and transportation programs, and community education.

The results for St. Anthony are included in a statewide report by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) that shows Iowa hospitals provided community benefits in 2010 valued at more than $1.3 billion.  All 118 of Iowa’s community hospitals participated in the survey.

St. Anthony’s Diabetes Center and mental health services are examples of two programs that benefit the Carroll area. Patients received diabetes services at St. Anthony in 2010 with a value of $110,189 beyond reimbursements, while St. Anthony contributed $520,459 in services for mental health patients.
“St. Anthony’s mission is to provide care for members of our community,” said Gary Riedmann, hospital president, “This care is provided in response to the needs of people in our community, without regard to patients’ ability to pay.”

Meanwhile, Medicare and Medicaid, which represent about 60 percent of all hospital revenue in Iowa, created approximately $259 million in losses for the state’s hospitals during 2010.  St. Anthony lost $3,325,690 to Medicare and $1,127,877 to Medicaid in 2010.

St. Anthony has not been immune to recent economic conditions, and has experienced the shift of patients becoming more responsible for their healthcare expenses as a result of insurers implementing higher deductibles and co-payments, or, for some, the loss of personal or family healthcare coverage. At the same time, Iowa hospitals continue implement strategies that increase value to their patients and communities.  By seeking out ways to reduce waste and increase safety, Iowa hospitals have become value leaders in the health industry are noted for their efficient delivery of healthcare services.