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on 11/5/2019
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St. Anthony Regional Hospital (Carroll, IA) provides $14,820,608 community benefits to Carroll County and west central Iowa, according to a recently completed assessment of those programs and services. That amount, based on 2018 figures, includes $9,357,964 in uncompensated care and $5,719,985 in free or discounted community benefits that St. Anthony specifically implemented to help west central Iowa residents.
Community benefits are activities to improve health status and increase access to health care. With uncompensated care and charity care, community benefits include such services and programs as health screenings, support groups, counseling, immunizations, and nutrition services.
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 2018 valued at more than $945 million, including more than $253 million in charity care.
“The report released by IHA demonstrates the social and economic importance St. Anthony and other hospitals hold in today’s health care environment,” said Ed Smith, St. Anthony President and CEO. “Every year, we go above and beyond the essential needs of our patients and contribute to the community in a number of different ways. We are not only a major employer here in the region, we also provide a wide array of health-related services that benefit the community.”
The programs and services accounted for in the survey were implemented in direct response to the needs of communities, counties and regions. Many of these programs and services would not exist without hospital support and leadership.
Uncompensated care and charity care also play roles in the community benefit for services provided. Total uncompensated care at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in 2018 was valued at $9.4 million. The survey also showed total Medicare and Medicaid losses (at cost) of $8.2 million in 2018.
“Stepping-in and proactively filling community needs in health care is part of what we do, as it fits with our mission of improving the overall health of the people we serve,” Smith said. “Our focus remains on health, healing, and hope so the results of the community benefit report reflect the effectiveness of our ongoing efforts.”
St. Anthony Regional Hospital, which employ more than 745 people in full time, part time, and relief positions, continue implementing strategies that increase value to their patients and communities by offering high-quality care, addressing the health needs of our communities and employing process improvements that help to cut costs. By seeking ways to raise quality, reduce waste and increase safety, St. Anthony is a value leader.
These efforts, with IHA’s advocacy to create fairer payment methodologies from Medicare and Medicaid, help ensure the financial stability of hospitals, making it possible for them to provide the services and programs most needed by their communities.
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