PART I, LINE 6A:
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THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS PREPARED BY LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND INCLUDES LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, LICKING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, LICKING MEMORIAL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH FOUNDATION.
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PART I, LINE 7:
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THE ORGANIZATION USED THE CBISA SOFTWARE TO DETERMINE THE COST ACCOUNTING METHODOLOGY.
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PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F):
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THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A), BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $ 20,294,010.
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PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
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IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEMS (LMHS) REFLECT AND FURTHER THE MISSION OF "IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY". WE DEFINE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IN A BROAD SENSE IN ORDER TO INCLUDE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY HEALTH AND MEDICALLY RELATED, BUT WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO SUSTAINING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, SUCH AS STRONG SCHOOL SYSTEMS, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND ARTS. TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY, WE PUBLISH THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION, A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE MAILED TO APPROXIMATELY 44,000 HOUSEHOLDS THAT HIGHLIGHTS ALL OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ADVOCACY FOR THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IS NOT ONLY EVIDENT THROUGH THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION PUBLICATIONS, BUT THROUGH VARIOUS HEALTH-RELATED EVENTS AND CLASSES INCLUDING HEALTH FAIRS, SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SCREENINGS, AND WORKSHOPS THAT AID IN OVERALL HEALTH EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY. LMHS REGULARLY WELCOMES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ATTEND FREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT THE HOSPITAL. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THEIR FAMILIES. TO FURTHER "IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY", LMHS SUSTAINS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY EXISTING AS THE COUNTY'S LARGEST EMPLOYER.
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PART III, LINE 2:
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THE ORGANIZATION USES THE CBISA SOFTWARE FOR COSTING METHODOLOGY, A SOFTWARE PROGRAM ENDORSED BY BOTH THE OHIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
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PART III, LINE 3:
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THE ORGANIZATION EMPLOYED A PATIENT SCORING METHODOLOGY WHICH COMBINES NUMEROUS FINANCIAL INDICATORS TO ARRIVE AT A NUMERIC CREDIT SCORE. THIS SCORE INCLUDES THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY BASED ON THE ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLD INCOME AS WELL AS THE PROBABILITY OF PAYMENT BEING MADE BASED ON HISTORICAL CREDIT INFORMATION.
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PART III, LINE 4:
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SEE PAGE 10 OF THE ATTACHED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
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PART III, LINE 8:
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THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL REPRESENTS AN UNDERPAYMENT OF OUR COSTS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO TRADITIONAL MEDICARE PATIENTS, OUR LARGEST PAYER. SINCE THIS SHORTFALL RELATES TO SUCH A LARGE PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE FEEL THE COST SHORTFALL IS A RELEVANT FACTOR WHEN CONSIDERING COMMUNITY BENEFIT.WE USE THE MEDICARE COST REPORT FOR COSTING METHODOLOGY FOR CALCULATING THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL.IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL MEDICARE SHORTFALLS, THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES SERVICES TO MEDICARE HMO PATIENTS AT OR BELOW COST AS A FURTHER BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY. BY ADOPTING THE SAME METHODOLOGY FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICARE ABOVE, THE MEDICARE HMO SHORTFALL AMOUNTED TO $4,669,161ALONG THAT SAME LINE, LICKING MEMORIAL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, ANOTHER LMHS SUBSIDIARY, PROVIDED SERVICES TO MEDICARE (TRADITIONAL AND HMO) BENEFICIARIES AT A COST SHORTFALL OF $7,597,910 USING A CBISA SOFTWARE COSTING METHOD. THE CBISA SOFTWARE IS ENDORSED BY BOTH THE OHIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AS A COSTING METHOD UTILIZED FOR DETERMINING SHORTFALLS.
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PART III, LINE 9B:
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THE PATIENT ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLECTION OF PATIENTS' ACCOUNTS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO COLLECT ACCOUNTS DUE THE HOSPITAL WHILE MAINTAINING POSITIVE GUEST RELATIONS.-PRIOR TO OR UPON ADMISSION, PATIENT INFORMATION IS OBTAINED BY THE REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS FORWARDED TO THE PATIENT ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR MEDASSIST, INC. UPON ADMISSION.-WHENEVER POSSIBLE, SELF-PAY INPATIENTS ARE INTERVIEWED BY THE PATIENT ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE PRIOR TO DISCHARGE. PATIENTS WILL BE SCREENED FOR POSSIBLE STATE OR FEDERAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY, SUCH AS MEDICAID ORSOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY. IF PATIENTS DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THESE PROGRAMS, THEY WILL BE INFORMED OF THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE.- ALL STATEMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE.
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PART VI, LINE 2:
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WITH A MISSION OF "IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY", LMHS CONTINUOUSLY MONITORS AND ASSESSES THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN A VARIETY OF METHODS. OUR ENTIRE LEADERSHIP TEAM IS VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, SERVING ON LOCAL, NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARDS AND IN SERVICE CLUBS SUCH AS ROTARY AND KIWANIS. AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN LICKING COUNTY, THE COMMUNITY LOOKS TO OUR MANAGEMENT STAFF FOR SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IN MOST, IF NOT ALL, MAJOR INITIATIVES. THIS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. SENIOR MANAGEMENT IS VERY RESPONSIVE IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED AS THE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS FOR LICKING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (LMH) AND THE HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE VERY INTERESTED AND ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY; THEREFORE, THEY ARE A GREAT RESOURCE IN MAKING ADMINISTRATION AWARE OF NEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE BOARD RECEIVES A MONTHLY REPORT AT EACH BOARD MEETING, HIGHLIGHTING ALL OF THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING DONATIONS MADE DURING THAT MONTH, HEALTH FAIRS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, MANAGEMENT AND PHYSICIANS SPEAKING IN THE COMMUNITY, ETC. PROVIDING ALL OF THIS INFORMATION TO THE BOARD ALLOWS THEM TO BE SUPPORTIVE AS ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS IMPLEMENTING NEW SERVICES OR ENHANCING EXISTING OFFERINGS.ORGANIZED UNDER THE HOSPITAL CORPORATION IS A 75 MEMBER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE HOSPITAL AND TO COMPLETE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE MEMBERS OF THE LMH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS REPRESENTING ALL AREAS OF BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THEIR "FINGERS ON THE PULSE" OF THE COMMUNITY, AND ONE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AMBASSADORS IS TO MAKE THE ADMINISTRATION AWARE OF NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO HEALTH CARE. AMONG MANY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, PROBABLY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE ARE THE COMMUNITY LEADER ROUNDTABLES THAT ARE SPONSORED BY THIS GROUP. THESE ARE LUNCHEONS SCHEDULED MONTHLY WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEMS PRESIDENT & CEO. DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVE AS HOSTS, AND THEY INVITE 20-25 PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS. SOME EXAMPLES OF RECENT ROUNDTABLE GROUPS INCLUDE SCHOOL NURSES, SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND COACHES, REALTORS, FIRE CHIEFS, LOCAL POLITICIANS, ETC. THESE FORUMS ARE ALWAYS VERY INFORMATIVE FOR BOTH ATTENDEES AND THE ADMINISTRATION AS WE SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOSPITAL AND THEN ASK FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE PRESENT. MANY TIMES, IDEAS FOR HOSPITAL INITIATIVES COME FROM THESE EVENTS.ANOTHER ACTIVITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IS A QUARTERLY CORPORATE BREAKFAST. THESE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS NORMALLY DRAW 100-125 ATTENDEES FOR BREAKFAST AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP REGARDING HOSPITAL ACTIVITIES AND TO PROVIDE AN OPEN FORUM TO DISCUSS HEALTH CARE AND OTHER NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. SPEAKERS AT THESE EVENTS HAVE INCLUDED PHYSICIANS SPEAKING ABOUT OPHTHALMOLOGY, UROLOGICAL SERVICES, HEART ATTACK AWARENESS, REHABILITATION SERVICES, AND OTOLARYNGOLOGY. IN ADDITION, NEW PHYSICIANS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN ATTENDENCE AT THE CORPORATE BREAKFAST EVENTS.THE HEALTH SYSTEMS' WEBSITE PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AND PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. ALL REQUESTS COMING THROUGH THE WEBSITE RECEIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND A DETAILED RESPONSE.AN AFFILIATED PHYSICIAN GROUP, KNOWN AS THE LICKING MEMORIAL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, PROVIDES PHYSICIAN INPUT REGARDING THE NEEDS THEY IDENTIFY IN THEIR DAILY PRACTICE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THESE OBSERVATIONS ARE DISCUSSED WITH ADMINISTRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO ADDRESS SUCH NEEDS.
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PART VI, LINE 3:
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LMHS PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL BY OFFERING DISCOUNTED CARE BASED UPON A SLIDING SCALE UP TO 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED MEDICALLY INDIGENT. IN 2015, LMHS PROVIDED $27.6 MILLION OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE AT STANDARD CHARGES, INCLUDING $4.6 MILLION OF CHARITY CARE.HOWEVER, LMHS PROVIDES CARE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVELS. THAT MESSAGE IS SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. THE HEALTH SYSTEMS' WEBSITE PROVIDES INFORMATION ON ASSISTANCE FOR PAYING HOSPITAL BILLS THROUGH THE HOSPITAL CARE ASSURANCE PROGRAM/ COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THIS IS ALSO COMMUNICATED THROUGH BROCHURES AND APPLICATIONS WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE INCOME LEVEL-BASED NEEDS FOR THE PATIENT. IN ADDITION, THE BILLING STATEMENT SENT TO THE PATIENT OR GUARANTOR PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING CHARITY CARE. THIS INFORMATION ALSO CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE BILLING OFFICE. FURTHERMORE, THE HEALTH SYSTEMS CONTRACTS WITH AN ELIGIBILITY COMPANY TO SCREEN AND IDENTIFY PATIENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE, AND EMPLOYS USE OF EARLY-OUT AGENCIES TO PERFORM SELF-PAY BILLING SERVICES. THESE AGENCIES ROUTINELY IDENTIFY PATIENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDE APPLICATIONS FOR COMPLETION. THE LMH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS BEEN EDUCATED ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY - THAT MESSAGE IS SHARED IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR GRASS ROOTS EFFORTS.
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PART VI, LINE 4:
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LICKING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS LOCATED IN NEWARK, OHIO THIRTY MILES EAST OF COLUMBUS. THE CITY OF NEWARK HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 48,000 PEOPLE WITH A MEDIAN INCOME OF APPROXIMATELY $37,000. THE HOSPITAL SERVES THE COMMUNITY OF NEWARK AND LICKING COUNTY. LICKING COUNTY HAS A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 170,000 (PER US CENSUS BUREAU), A PER CAPITA INCOME OF APPROXIMATELY $27,000 AND AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 4.3%.
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PART VI, LINE 5:
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THROUGH THE MISSION OF "IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY", LMHS PROMOTES HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELLNESS IN VARIOUS WAYS. LMHS PROVIDES SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN MANY COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIRS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO ENCOURAGE AND ADVANCE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION IN AREA SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND BUSINESSES; PROVIDED MANY FREE CLASSES REGARDING TOPICS SUCH AS CHILDBIRTH, INFANT AND CHILD CPR, BREASTFEEDING, SIBLING PREPARATION, DIABETES, NEWBORN BASICS, AND TOBACCO CESSATION; PROVIDED SUPPORT GROUPS FOR VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF CANCER, DIABETES, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, AND HEART DISEASE; PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATORS THROUGH COALITIONS WITH STUDENT NURSES, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY INTERNS; PROVIDED SPEAKERS TO SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ON TOPICS SUCH AS TOBACCO CESSATION, LEADING AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, AND DIABETES EDUCATION. THE SCHEDULE IS FOUND ONLINE OR PRINTED THROUGH OUR BI-MONTHLY COMMUNITY CONNECTION PUBLICATION FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE. LMHS ALSO PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES. IN 2012, THE HEALTH SYSTEMS CREATED THE ACTIVE-FIT YOUTH WELLNESS PROGRAM, TARGETING YOUTH AGES 6-12. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A FREE ONLINE GOAL-ORIENTED WELLNESS ACTIVITY PLAN WITH INCENTIVES FOR THOSE WHO COMPLETE THEIR GOALS. THE PROGRAM ALSO FEATURES UNIQUE COMMUNITY EVENTS TO HELP THE PARTICIPANTS STAY ACTIVE AND LEARN HOW TO BETTER CARE FOR THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROMOTED DIRECTLY TO THE YOUTH WITH SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PRESENTATIONS AND THROUGH AN AGGRESSIVE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO THE COMMUNITY.THE HEALTH SYSTEMS ALSO EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR EXCELLENT PERSONAL HEALTH TO A VARIETY OF DEMOGRAPHICS THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, LMHS INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR TO A RED DRESS GALA EVENT FEATURING SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS, HEALTH SCREENINGS AND HEART-HEALTHY FOODS. EACH SUMMER, LMHS OFFERS THE HEART TO PLAY PROGRAM TO LICKING COUNTY JUNIOR- AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM FEATURES HEALTH REVIEW EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS WITH AN EKG HEART SCREENING, IN ADDITION TO A HEALTH AND CONCUSSION SCREENING.THE HEALTH SYSTEMS ALSO DEVOTES RESOURCES TO A HEALTH-RELATED COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROJECT EACH YEAR. IN 2013, THE HEALTH SYSTEMS BEGAN UPGRADING THE 12-LEAD EKGS FOR THE LOCAL EMS PROVIDERS. THIS IS A MULTI YEAR PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT FROM 2013 THROUGH 2016 FOR A TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF $845,000.
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PART VI, LINE 6:
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LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEMS (THE SYSTEM) IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO TO PROVIDE AND PROMOTE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN CENTRAL OHIO.THE SYSTEM IS THE PARENT ORGANIZATION AND SOLE CORPORATE MEMBER OF LICKING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (LMH), LICKING MEMORIAL HEALTH FOUNDATION (LMHF), AND LICKING MEMORIAL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (LMPC).LMPC EMPLOYS A STAFF OF PHYSICIANS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO FURTHER THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE. LMPC HAS A SOLE PHYSICIAN SHAREHOLDER, WHO, UNDER A SHARED CONTROL AGREEMENT, ASSIGNED THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE STOCK TO LMHS.
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