SCHEDULE H (Form 990)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Hospitals
MediumBullet Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, question 20.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990. MediumBullet See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
Palmetto Health
 
Employer identification number

58-2296052
Part I
Financial Assistance and Certain Other Community Benefits at Cost
Yes
No
1a
Did the organization have a financial assistance policy during the tax year? If "No," skip to question 6a ...
1a
Yes
 
b
If "Yes," was it a written policy? .......................
1b
Yes
 
2
If the organization had multiple hospital facilities, indicate which of the following best describes application of the financial assistance policy to its various hospital facilities during the tax year.
3
Answer the following based on the financial assistance eligibility criteria that applied to the largest number of the organization's patients during the tax year.
a
Did the organization use Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) as a factor in determining eligibility for providing free care?
If "Yes," indicate which of the following was the FPG family income limit for eligibility for free care:
3a
Yes
 
%
b
Did the organization use FPG as a factor in determining eligibility for providing discounted care? If "Yes," indicate
which of the following was the family income limit for eligibility for discounted care: .........
3b
Yes
 
%
c
If the organization used factors other than FPG in determining eligibility, describe in Part VI the income based criteria for determining eligibility for free or discounted care. Include in the description whether the organization used an asset test or other threshold, regardless of income, as a factor in determining eligibility for free or discounted care.
4
Did the organization's financial assistance policy that applied to the largest number of its patients during the tax year provide for free or discounted care to the "medically indigent"? ..............

4

Yes

 
5a
Did the organization budget amounts for free or discounted care provided under its financial assistance policy during the tax year? ............................

5a

Yes

 
b
If "Yes," did the organization's financial assistance expenses exceed the budgeted amount? ......
5b
Yes
 
c
If "Yes" to line 5b, as a result of budget considerations, was the organization unable to provide free or discountedcare to a patient who was eligibile for free or discounted care? ..............
5c
 
No
6a
Did the organization prepare a community benefit report during the tax year? ..........
6a
Yes
 
b
If "Yes," did the organization make it available to the public? ..............
6b
Yes
 
Complete the following table using the worksheets provided in the Schedule H instructions. Do not submit these worksheets with the Schedule H.
7
Financial Assistance and Certain Other Community Benefits at Cost
Financial Assistance and
Means-Tested
Government Programs
 (a) Number of activities or programs (optional) (b) Persons served (optional) (c) Total community benefit expense (d) Direct offsetting revenue (e) Net community benefit expense (f) Percent of total expense
a Financial Assistance at cost
(from Worksheet 1) .. 		    64,364,097 31,700,619 32,663,479 3.010 %
b Medicaid (from Worksheet 3,
column a) .... 		    81,170,043 70,483,226 10,686,817 0.980 %
c Costs of other means-tested
government programs (from
Worksheet 3, column b) . 		           
d Total Financial Assistance
and Means-Tested
Government Programs . 		    145,534,140 102,183,845 43,350,296 3.990 %
Other Benefits
     16,620,292 100 16,620,192 1.530 %
e Community health
improvement services and
community benefit operations
(from Worksheet 4) ..
f Health professions education
(from Worksheet 5) .. 		    40,308,461 2,928,233 37,380,228 3.440 %
g Subsidized health services
(from Worksheet 6) .. 		    53,125,238 49,026,840 4,098,398 0.380 %
h Research (from Worksheet 7)     753,453   753,453 0.070 %
i Cash and in-kind
contributions for community
benefit (from Worksheet 8) 		    404,725   404,725 0.040 %
j Total. Other Benefits ..     111,212,169 51,955,173 59,256,996 5.460 %
k Total. Add lines 7d and 7j .     256,746,309 154,139,018 102,607,292 9.450 %
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990. Cat. No. 50192T Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part II
Community Building Activities Complete this table if the organization conducted any community building activities during the tax year, and describe in Part VI how its community building activities promoted the health of the communities it serves.
(a) Number of activities or programs (optional) (b) Persons served (optional) (c) Total community building expense (d) Direct offsetting
revenue 		(e) Net community building expense (f) Percent of total expense
1 Physical improvements and housing            
2 Economic development            
3 Community support            
4 Environmental improvements            
5 Leadership development and training for community members            
6 Coalition building            
7 Community health improvement advocacy            
8 Workforce development     31,928   31,928  
9 Other            
10 Total     31,928   31,928  
Part III
Bad Debt, Medicare, & Collection Practices
Section A. Bad Debt Expense
Yes
No
1
Did the organization report bad debt expense in accordance with Heathcare Financial Management Association Statement No. 15? ..........................
1
Yes
 
2
Enter the amount of the organization's bad debt expense. Explain in Part VI the methodology used by the organization to estimate this amount. ......
2
52,212,846
3
Enter the estimated amount of the organization's bad debt expense attributable to patients eligible under the organization's financial assistance policy. Explain in Part VI the methodology used by the organization to estimate this amount and the rationale, if any, for including this portion of bad debt as community benefit. ......
3
5,570,629
4
Provide in Part VI the text of the footnote to the organization’s financial statements that describes bad debt expense or the page number on which this footnote is contained in the attached financial statements.
Section B. Medicare
5
Enter total revenue received from Medicare (including DSH and IME).....
5
207,160,970
6
Enter Medicare allowable costs of care relating to payments on line 5.....
6
272,741,162
7
Subtract line 6 from line 5. This is the surplus (or shortfall)........
7
-65,580,192
8
Describe in Part VI the extent to which any shortfall reported in line 7 should be treated as community benefit.Also describe in Part VI the costing methodology or source used to determine the amount reported on line 6.Check the box that describes the method used:
Section C. Collection Practices
9a
Did the organization have a written debt collection policy during the tax year? ..........
9a
Yes
 
b
If "Yes," did the organization’s collection policy that applied to the largest number of its patients during the tax year contain provisions on the collection practices to be followed for patients who are known to qualify for financial assistance? Describe in Part VI.......................

9b

Yes

 
Part IV
Management Companies and Joint Ventures(owned 10% or more by officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and physicians—see instructions)
(a) Name of entity (b) Description of primary
activity of entity 		(c) Organization's
profit % or stock
ownership % 		(d) Officers, directors,
trustees, or key
employees' profit %
or stock ownership % 		(e) Physicians'
profit % or stock
ownership %
1Parkridge Surgery
  		Outpatient Surgery 72.360 %   27.640 %
2Radiation Oncology
  		Outpatient Oncology Services 51.000 %   49.000 %
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VFacility Information
Section A. Hospital Facilities
(list in order of size from largest to smallest—see instructions)
How many hospital facilities did the organization operate during the tax year?2
Name, address, and primary website address 		Licensed Hospital General-Medical-Surgical Children's Hospital Teaching Hospital Critical Hospital Research Facility ER-24Hours ER-Other Other (Describe) Facility reporting group
1 Palmetto Health Richland
5 Medical Park
Columbia,SC29203 		X X X X     X   Heart, Children's Hospital A
2 Palmetto Health Baptist
MARION STREET
Columbia,SC29220 		X X   X     X     A
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VFacility Information (continued)

Section B. Facility Policies and Practices

(Complete a separate Section B for each of the hospital facilities or facility reporting groups listed in Part V, Section A)
A
Name of hospital facility or facility reporting group  
For single facility filers only: line Number of Hospital Facility (from Schedule H, Part V, Section A)  
Yes No
Community Health Needs Assessment (Lines 1 through 8c are optional for tax years begining on or before March 23, 2012)
1 During the tax year or either of the two immediately preceding tax years, did the hospital facility conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA)? If "No," skip to line 9.................... 1 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate what the CHNA report describes (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
2 Indicate the tax year the hospital facility last conducted a CHNA: 20 13
3 In conducting its most recent CHNA, did the hospital facility take into account input from representatives of the community served by the hospital facility, including those with special knowledge of or expertise in public health? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI how the hospital facility took into account input from persons who represent the community, and identify the persons the hospital facility consulted .................... 3 Yes  
4 Was the hospital facility’s CHNA conducted with one or more other hospital facilities? If “Yes,” list the other hospital facilities in Part VI................................ 4 Yes  
5 Did the hospital facility make its CHNA report widely available to the public? ............. 5 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate how the CHNA report was made widely available (check all that apply):
a
b
c
6 If the hospital facility addressed needs identified in its most recently conducted CHNA, indicate how (check all that apply to date):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
7 Did the hospital facility address all of the needs identified in its most recently conducted CHNA? If “No,” explain in Part VI which needs it has not addressed and the reasons why it has not addressed such needs ........ 7   No
8a Did the organization incur an excise tax under section 4959 for the hospital facility's failure to conduct a CHNA as required by section 501(r)(3)? ........................... 8a   No
b If "Yes" to line 8a, did the organization file Form 4720 to report the section 4959 excise tax? ...... 8b    
c If "Yes" to line 8b, what is the total amount of section 4959 excise tax the organization reported on Form 4720 for all of its hospital facilities? $  

Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VFacility Information (continued)

Financial Assistance Policy Yes No
9 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written financial assistance policy that:
Explained eligibility criteria for financial assistance, and whether such assistance includes free or discounted care? 9 Yes  
10 Used federal poverty guidelines (FPG) to determine eligibility for providing free care?........... 10 Yes  
If "Yes," indicate the FPG family income limit for eligibility for free care: 200.%
If "No," explain in Part VI the criteria the hospital facility used.
11 Used FPG to determine eligibility for providing discounted care?................. 11 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate the FPG family income limit for eligibility for discounted care: 400.%
If "No," explain in Part VI the criteria the hospital facility used.
12 Explained the basis for calculating amounts charged to patients?................. 12 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate the factors used in determining such amounts (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
13 Explained the method for applying for financial assistance?................... 13 Yes  
14 Included measures to publicize the policy within the community served by the hospital facility?....... 14 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate how the hospital facility publicized the policy (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Billing and Collections
15 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a separate billing and collections policy, or a written financial assistance policy (FAP) that explained actions the hospital facility may take upon non-payment?....... 15 Yes  
16 Check all of the following actions against an individual that were permitted under the hospital facility's policies during the tax year before making reasonable efforts to determine the patient’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP:
a
b
c
d
e
17 Did the hospital facility or an authorized third party perform any of the following actions during the tax year before making reasonable efforts to determine the patient’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP?.......... 17   No
If “Yes,” check all actions in which the hospital facility or a third party engaged:
a
b
c
d
e
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VFacility Information (continued)

18 Indicate which efforts the hospital facility made before initiating any of the actions listed in line 17 (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
Policy Relating to Emergency Medical Care
Yes No
19 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written policy relating to emergency medical care that requires the hospital facility to provide, without discrimination, care for emergency medical conditions to individuals regardless of their eligibility under the hospital facility’s financial assistance policy?.......... 19 Yes  
If “No,” indicate why:
a
b
c
d
Charges to Individuals Eligible for Assistance under the FAP (FAP-Eligible Individuals)
20 Indicate how the hospital facility determined, during the tax year, the maximum amounts that can be charged to FAP-eligible individuals for emergency or other medically necessary care.
a
b
c
d
21 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individuals to whom the hospital facility provided emergency or other medically necessary services, more than the amounts generally billed to individuals who had insurance covering such care? ............................ 21   No
If “Yes,” explain in Part VI.
22 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individuals an amount equal to the gross charge for any service provided to that individual? ......................... 22   No
If “Yes,” explain in Part VI.
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VFacility Information (continued)

Section C. Other Health Care Facilities That Are Not Licensed, Registered, or Similarly Recognized as a Hospital Facility
(list in order of size, from largest to smallest)
How many non-hospital health care facilities did the organization operate during the tax year?56
Name and address Type of Facility (describe)
1 Radiation Oncology
166 Stoneridge Drive
Columbia,SC29210 		Outpatient Oncology Services
2 Parkridge Surgery Center LLC
190 Parkridge Drive
Columbia,SC29212 		Outpatient Surgery
3 Palmetto Health Richland Imaging Center
14 Richland Medical Park Drive
Columbia,SC29203 		Imaging Services
4 Columbia Gastroenterology
2739 Laurel Street Suite 1A
Columbia,SC29204 		Physician Practice
5 Surgical Associates of SC
1850 Laurel Street
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
6 Lexington Heart
120 West Hospital Drive
West Columbia,SC29169 		Physician Practice
7 Carolina Cardiac Surgery
8 Medical Park Suite 400
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
8 Palmetto Health Neurosurgery
3 Medical Park Suite 310
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
9 Palmetto Heart- Columbia
8 Medical Park Suite 100
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
10 Columbia Women's Healthcare
1301 Taylor Street Suite 6J
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
11 Palmetto Health Hospice- Columbia
1400 Pickens Street
Columbia,SC29201 		Hospice Care
12 Women Physician Associates OBGYN
9 Medical Park Suite 620
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
13 Palmetto Health Home Care
1400 Pickens Street
Columbia,SC29201 		Hospice Care
14 Three Rivers Medical Associates
1301 Taylor Street Suite 8A
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
15 Three Rivers OBGYN
1301 Taylor Street Suite 7B
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
16 Palmetto Children's Urology
9 Medical Park Suite 420
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
17 Palmetto Health Surgical Specialists
9 Medical Park Suite 450
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
18 Pediatric Surgery
9 Medical Park Suite 500
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
19 Three Rivers Medical Associates- Irmo
7430 College Stree
Irmo,SC29063 		Physician Practice
20 Baptist Inpatient Medical Associates
Taylor at Marion Street
Columbia,SC29220 		Physician Practice
21 Palmetto Health Dental Care
10 Medical Park Rd
Columbia,SC29203 		Dental Care
22 Premier Orthopedic Specialist Trauma
3 Medical Park Suite 330
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
23 Senior Primary Care Practice
3010 Farrow Rd Suite 300
Columbia,SC29203 		Primary Care Physicians
24 Palmetto OBGYN Associates
1333 Taylor Street Suite 4G
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
25 Palmetto Pulmonary
1333 Taylor Street Suite 4G
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
26 Parkridge Convenience Care
190 Parkridge Dr Suite 104
Columbia,SC29212 		Physician Practice
27 Childrens Hospital Intensivists
9 Medical Park Suite 530
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
28 South Hampton Family Practice
5900 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia,SC29209 		Physician Practice
29 Colorectal Associates
1410 Blanding Street Suite 102
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
30 Northeast Family Practice
3000 NE Medical Park Suite 209
Columbia,SC29223 		Physician Practice
31 Markowitz and Associates
103 Saluda Ridge Court
West Columbia,SC29169 		Physician Practice
32 Parkridge Medical Associates
190 Parkridge Dr Suite 220
Columbia,SC29212 		Physician Practice
33 Midlands Internal Medicine
3000 NE Medical Park Suite 108
Columbia,SC29223 		Physician Practice
34 First Care
2406 Decker Blvd
Columbia,SC29206 		Physician Practice
35 Palmetto Health Healthworks
1333 Taylor Street Suite 3H
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
36 Palmetto Heart- Hartsville
701 Medical Park Dr Suite 103
Hartsville,SC29550 		Physician Practice
37 Atrium Ridge Internal Medicine
11 Atrium Ridge Court
Columbia,SC29223 		Physician Practice
38 Palmetto Health Hospice- Newberry
1400 Camellia Ave
Newberry,SC29108 		Hospice Care
39 Lakeview Family Practice
1316 Northlake Drive
Lexington,SC29072 		Physician Practice
40 Blythewood Family Care
738 University Village Drive
Blythewood,SC29016 		Physician Practice
41 Twelve Mile Creek Family Practice
4711 Sunset Blvd Hwy 378
Lexington,SC29072 		Physician Practice
42 University Family Practice
4311 Hardscrabble Rd
Columbia,SC29229 		Physician Practice
43 Palmetto Health Private Services
1400 Pickens Street
Columbia,SC29201 		Private Services
44 Richland Hospital Internal Medicine
14 Medical Park Suite 320
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
45 Palmetto Health Ophthamology
4 Medical Park Suite 100
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
46 Irmo Family Practice
190 Parkridge Dr Suite 220
Columbia,SC29212 		Physician Practice
47 Palmetto Infectious Disease
1333 Taylor Street Suite 4G
Columbia,SC29201 		Physician Practice
48 PH Children's Special Care Center
9 Richland Med Park Suite 420
Columbia,SC29203 		Physician Practice
49 Harbison Family Practice
190 Parkridge Dr Suite 250
Columbia,SC29212 		Physician Practice
50 Carolina Colon and Rectal Surgeons
1730 St Julian Place
Columbia,SC29204 		Physician Practice
51 Parkridge OBGYN Associates
100 Palmetto Health Pkwy
Columbia,SC29212 		Physician Practice
52 Palmetto Senior Care- Laurel
1309 Laurel Street
Columbia,SC29201 		Senior Care
53 Palmetto Senior Care- Lexington
700 Knox Abbott Drive
West Columbia,SC29169 		Senior Care
54 Palmetto Senior Care- Shandon
1100 Shirley Street
Columbia,SC29205 		Senior Care
55 Palmetto Senior Care- White Rock
109 Wartburg Street
White Rock,SC29177 		Senior Care
56 Senior Primary Care Practice
190 Parkridge Dr Suite G100
Columbia,SC29212 		Primary Care Physicians
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
Page
Part VI
Supplemental Information
Complete this part to provide the following information.
1 Required descriptions. Provide the descriptions required for Part I, lines 3c, 6a, and 7; Part II; Part III, lines 4, 8, and 9b; Part V, Section A; and Part V, Section B, lines 1j, 3, 4, 5c, 6i, 7, 10, 11, 12h, 14g, 16e, 17e, 18e, 19c, 19d, 20d, 21, and 22.
2 Needs assessment. Describe how the organization assesses the health care needs of the communities it serves, in addition to any needs assessments reported in Part V, Section B.
3 Patient education of eligibility for assistance. Describe how the organization informs and educates patients and persons who may be billed for patient care about their eligibility for assistance under federal, state, or local government programs or under the organization’s financial assistance policy.
4 Community information. Describe the community the organization serves, taking into account the geographic area and demographic constituents it serves.
5 Promotion of community health. Provide any other information important to describing how the organization’s hospital facilities or other health care facilities further its exempt purpose by promoting the health of the community (e.g., open medical staff, community board, use of surplus funds, etc.).
6 Affiliated health care system. If the organization is part of an affiliated health care system, describe the respective roles of the organization and its affiliates in promoting the health of the communities served.
7 State filing of community benefit report. If applicable, identify all states with which the organization, or a related organization, files a community benefit report.
8 Facility reporting group(s). If applicable, for each hospital facility in a facility reporting group provide the descriptions required for Part V, Section B, lines 1j, 3, 4, 5c, 6i, 7, 10, 11, 12h, 14g, 16e, 17e, 18e, 19c, 19d, 20d, 21, and 22.
Identifier ReturnReference Explanation
Schedule H, Part I, Line 7f   There is no bad debt included in functional expenses and therefore no adjustment is required for this computation.
Costing Methodology Schedule H, Part I, Line 7 COSTING METHODOLOGY FOR INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES WERE DERIVED USING A COMBINATION OF IRS PROVIDED WORKSHEETS AND PALMETTO HEALTH'S MEDICARE COST REPORT. HOWEVER, ACTUAL DATA FROM PALMETTO HEALTH'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WERE USED IN THE COSTING METHODOLOGY FOR SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES.
Community Building Activities Schedule H, Part II PALMETTO HEALTH'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AIDS IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. Over 1000 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN CAREER OBSERVATIONS EVENTS (I.E. JOB SHADOWING, INTERNSHIPS, GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS, AND RESIDENCIES) THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. APPROXIMATELY 8,500 CONTACTS WERE MADE AT VARIOUS CAREER EVENTS AND COMMUNITY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.
Bad Debt Expense Schedule H, Part III, Line 4 FY2013 Financials, excerpt from Note 3 - Net Patient Service Revenue and Patient Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for uncollectible accounts. In evaluating the collectability of accounts receivable, Palmetto Health analyzes its past history and identifies trends for each of its major payor sources of revenue to estimate the appropriate allowance for uncollectible accounts and provision for uncollectible accounts, as well as performing a detail review of high dollar accounts on a case by case basis. Management regularly reviews data about these major payor sources of revenue in evaluating the sufficiency of the allowance for uncollectible accounts. For receivables associated with services provided to patients who have third-party coverage, Palmetto Health analyzes contractually due amounts and provides both an allowance and a provision for uncollectible accounts, if necessary (for example, for expected uncollectible deductibles and copayments on accounts for which the third-party payor has not yet paid, or for payors who are known to be having financial difficulties that make the realization of amounts due unlikely). For receivables associated with self-pay patients (which includes both patients without insurance and patients with deductible and copayments balances due for which third-party coverage exists for part of the bill), Palmetto Health records a significant provision for uncollectible accounts in the period of service on the basis of its past experience, which indicates that many patients are unable or unwilling to pay the portion of their bill for which they are financially responsible. The difference between the standard rates (or the discounted rates, if negotiated) and the amounts actually collected after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted is charged off against the allowance for uncollectible accounts. Palmetto Healths allowance for uncollectible accounts for self-pay patients was 83.5% and 81.1% of self-pay accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Palmetto Health has not changed its charity care or uninsured discount policies during fiscal years 2013 or 2012. Palmetto Health does not maintain a material allowance for uncollectible accounts from third-party payors, nor did it have significant write-offs from third-party payors.
Medicare Cost Report Schedule H, Part III, Line 8 THE AMOUNT WITHIN LINE 7 OF PART III REPRESENTS THE SHORTFALL AFTER COMPARING THE NET REVENUE AND COST OF PATIENTS CLASSIFIED AS MEDICARE WHO WERE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICE COMPONENT OF LINE 7G OF PART I. THE $65 MILLION SHORTFALL CONSISTS OF THE MEDICARE PATIENTS WHO INCURRED A LOSS BUT WERE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FIGURE. THE COSTS REPORTED WITHIN LINE 6, PART III WERE FORMULATED USING A HOSPITAL WIDE COST TO CHARGE RATIO. ON THE FRONT END OF THE DEBT COLLECTION PROCESS FINANCIAL COUNSELORS ARE PROACTIVE IN EXPLAINING FINANCIAL AND AGENCY ASSISTANCE. PALMETTO HEALTH UTILIZES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ON-SITE WORKERS, IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL COUNSELORS, WHO MEET WITH THE PATIENTS OR FAMILY TO DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE. PALMETTO HEALTH ALSO PROVIDES HELPFUL INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE PATIENTS' HANDBOOK AND AS PART OF THE BILLING PROCESS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THERE ARE SIGNS POSTED AROUND THE CAMPUSES AND INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE FOR RELATED PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT PALMETTO HEALTH. POST DISCHARGE, A DESIGNATED UNIT PURSUES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR AGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR THE PATIENT, INCLUDING POSSIBLE DISCOUNTS OR PAYMENT PLANS. THIRD PARTIES ARE EMPLOYED TO WORK THE MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME CASES. IN ADDITION, PATIENTS WHO DO NOT RESPOND TO INTERNAL COLLECTION EFFORTS ARE REFERRED TO THIRD PARTY COLLECTION AGENCIES WHO REVIEW THE PATIENTS' STATUS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
Community Health Care Needs Assessment Schedule H, Part VI, Line 2 Palmetto Health has contributed more than $42 million dollars towards community health outreach initiatives over the past sixteen years. These community outreach programs benefit the community by offering services in areas of need and by supporting existing successful community health outreach initiatives. In order to assess the needs of the communities and determine what Palmetto Health's community priorities are, Palmetto Health studies disease specific research and statistics for national, state and county data. Palmetto Health also uses inpatient and emergency department trends data and focus group data to help determine what community priorities will be. In addition, Palmetto Health utilizes Healthy People 2020 (formerly known as Healthy People 2010) objectives to help drive the community needs program design.
Eligibility Education Schedule H, Part VI, Line 3 PALMETTO HEALTH STRIVES TO IMPROVE THE WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. QUALITY SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF AN ABILITY TO PAY. PALMETTO HEALTH WILL WORK WITH UNINSURED OR UNDER INSURED PATIENTS TO SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR CHARITY CARE. PATIENTS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS OR UNDER PALMETTO HEALTH'S CHARITY CARE POLICY DURING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. DURING PRE-REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION, PATIENTS ARE INTERVIEWED BY A FINANCIAL COUNSELOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS A NEED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR CHARITY CARE. THE FINANCIAL COUNSELOR REVIEWS THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE PATIENT TO DETERMINE IN WHICH PROGRAM(S) THE PATIENT MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. IF IT IS DEEMED THAT A PATIENT MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH COMPLETING APPLICATIONS. PALMETTO HEALTH'S WEBSITE, WWW.PALMETTOHEALTH.ORG, STATES PALMETTO HEALTH WILL WORK WITH UNINSURED OR UNDER INSURED PATIENTS TO SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR CHARITY CARE. POST DISCHARGE, PATIENTS EXPRESSING ISSUES WITH BEING UNABLE TO PAY THEIR BILL WILL BE DIRECTED TO FINANCIAL COUNSELORS TO ASSIST IN EDUCATING THE PATIENTS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY.
Description of Community Served Schedule H, Part VI, Line 4 The primary service area for Palmetto Health consists of Richland and Lexington Counties. There are approximately 667,161 residents who live within the primary service area. The median household income of the constituents in Richland and Lexington Counties is $44,242 and $52,077 respectively. The unemployment rate for Richland County is 6.88% and Lexington County is 6.89%. The secondary service area for Palmetto Health consists of Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Newberry, Orangeburg, Saluda and Sumter Counties. There are approximately 376,221 residents who live in these secondary service areas. The median household income for Calhoun County is $35,099, Fairfield County is $31,232, Kershaw County is $41,460, Lee County is $23,220, Newberry County is $43,585, Orangeburg County is $29,267, Saluda County is $39,135 and Sumter County is $33,620. The unemployment rate for the secondary market in Calhoun County is 7.1%, Fairfield County is 5.79%, Kershaw County is 5.89%, Lee County is 8.97%, Newberry County is 5.73%, Orangeburg County is 8.66%, Saluda County is 8.5% and Sumter County is 8.36%.
Promoting the Health of the Community Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 Palmetto Health is central South Carolina's largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit health system. In our progressive environment, the latest technology and treatment protocols go hand-in-hand with quality patient care. Palmetto Health is a South Carolina nonprofit public benefit corporation recognized as an IRC section 501(c)(3) charity, which consists of the outstanding hospitals - Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Baptist, Children's Hospital and Palmetto Health Heart Hospital in Columbia. Palmetto Health also jointly owns Baptist Easley Hospital in Easley, SC. The 1,247-bed system is a JCAHO-accredited institution and has more than 8,500 employees and 1,300 physicians. Palmetto Health furthers its exempt purposes by adopting a charity care policy that provides free care to individuals who are at or below the 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Palmetto Health also provides quality care to recipients of Medicare, Medicaid and other government payor programs. Palmetto Health also operates two 24-hour emergency rooms and various urgent care sites, providing services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. An open and diverse medical staff is maintained in order to have proper staffing coverage and allow for more efficient care and delivery of services in our hospital facilities. Outside of hospital-based services and care, Palmetto Health also allocates 10 percent of its annual bottom line to fund community health outreach programs that address critical and/or underserved healthcare needs and support existing successful healthcare initiatives in the community. Palmetto Healths goal is to promote the health, wellness and welfare of the uninsured and underserved. Palmetto Health also sponsors continuing medical education classes, health education workshops, preventative health screenings and health fairs in the community.
Community Benefit Report State Filings Schedule H, Part VI, Line 7 SOUTH CAROLINA
Community Health Needs Assessments Part V, question 2 - Year CHNA conducted: The CHNA was conducted during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.
Community Health Needs Assessments Part V, question 3 - Input from persons in the community: THE HOSPITAL FACILITY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT IMPUT FROM PERSONS WHO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY BY HOLDING A TOWN HALL MEETING AND CONSULTING COMMUNITY LEADERS. APPROXIMATELY 50 COMMUNITY LEADERS/STAKEHOLDERS ATTENDED. PALMETTO HEALTH AND PROVIDENCE CONDUCTED OVER 35 ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND OTHER PROVIDERS.
Community Health Needs Assessments Part V, question 4 - Hospitals included in joint CHNA: Palmetto Health worked with Providence Hospitals to jointly conduct the CHNA. Hospital facilities included: PALMETTO HEALTH RICHLAND, PALMETTO HEALTH BAPTIST, AND PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS (INCLUDES PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL AND PROVIDENCE ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL).
Community Health Needs Assessments Part V, question 5 - Other ways the CHNA was made available: EACH PALMETTO HEALTH HOSPITAL FACILITY (RICHLAND AND BAPTIST) MADE THE JOINT CHNA AVAILABLE IN THE HOSPITAL LOBBY AND ADMINISTRATION AREAS. THE CHNA CAN BE FOUND AT: WWW.PALMETTOHEALTH.ORG/COMMUNITY OUTREACH. BAPTIST AND RICHLAND DO NOT HAVE SEPARATE WEBSITES.
Community Health Needs Assessments Part V, Question 7 - Needs Unable To Be Addressed: Palmetto Health's Community Health Needs Assessment identified several significant health needs in our community. The most consistent recurring themes included: Access to care, Diabetes, Dental, Health Disease and Mental Health. Other conditions/issues where there is considerable need include: Vision, Transportation and Obesity. Palmetto Health has chosen three programs to focus our efforts on addressing the top three issues. The programs are Ambulatory Care Center for Evaluation and Stabilization Clinic (ACCES), Dental services and Diabetes. These programs, along with other existing programs at Palmetto Health, address not only the top three needs, but also Heart Disease and Mental Health. The ACCES Clinic provides access to care for patients who have limited resources and no primary care provider. The clinic provides medical home management where numerous health related conditions are addressed, i.e. smoking and blood pressure management. Managing patients through a medical home provides the wellness component and not just attending to the acute care episode. The ACCES clinic also has a behavioral health component to it in hopes to identify underlying issues that could prevent compliance with the care plan. The remaining identified area of need (Vision, Transportation and Obesity) are areas of need that Palmetto Health will choose to collaborate with others and support, but not take the lead or create a new initiative, one example being transportation. Palmetto Health was very involved in educating the public and its employees on the significance of having and funding a public transportation system, but does not directly fund a transportation system for the public as this is a need better suited to being addressed by the local government or other organizations. Other areas were Vision and Obesity. Palmetto Health is supporting Vision and Obesity through the Office of Community Health, but is not making these a primary focus due to limited resources.
Financial Assistance Policy Part V, Question 14 - PUBLICIZING THE POLICY A SUMMARY OF THE POLICY IS ATTACHED TO BILLING INVOICES AND INCLUDED IN PATIENT HANDBOOKS.
Billing and Collections Efforts Made Part V, Question 18 - All Hospital Facilities All hospital facilities do alert patients about our financial assistance policy, as indicated on line 18, and the hospitals did not undertake any of the measures listed on line 17 prior to determining if a patient qualifies for financial assistance.
Individuals Eligible For Financial Assistance Part V, Question 20 - All hospital facilities Both hospital facilities provided discounted care to patients at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and free care to patients below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Schedule H (Form 990) 2012
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