SCHEDULE H
(Form 990)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Hospitals
MediumBullet Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, question 20.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990.
MediumBullet Go to www.irs.gov/form990 for instructions and the latest informtion.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2017
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
 
Employer identification number

24-0795623
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 criteria used 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
 
No
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
 
 
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) . . .
    4,488,016   4,488,016 2.120 %
b Medicaid (from Worksheet 3, column a) . . . . .     32,329,973 16,072,857 16,257,116 7.690 %
c Costs of other means-tested government programs (from Worksheet 3, column b) . .            
d Total Financial Assistance and Means-Tested Government Programs . . . . .     36,817,989 16,072,857 20,745,132 9.810 %
Other Benefits
e Community health improvement services and community benefit operations (from Worksheet 4).     285,176   285,176 0.130 %
f Health professions education (from Worksheet 5) . . .     147,345   147,345 0.070 %
g Subsidized health services (from Worksheet 6) . . . .     4,000   4,000 0 %
h Research (from Worksheet 7) .            
i Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit (from Worksheet 8) . . . .     74,304   74,304 0.040 %
j Total. Other Benefits . .     510,825   510,825 0.240 %
k Total. Add lines 7d and 7j .     37,328,814 16,072,857 21,255,957 10.050 %
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990. Cat. No. 50192T Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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            
9 Other            
10 Total            
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
6,969,983
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
1,010,648
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
66,348,594
6
Enter Medicare allowable costs of care relating to payments on line 5.....
6
69,497,540
7
Subtract line 6 from line 5. This is the surplus (or shortfall)........
7
-3,148,946
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 %
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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?1Name, address, primary website address, and state license number (and if a group return, the name and EIN of the subordinate hospital organization that operates the hospital facility)
Licensed Hospital General-Medical-Surgical Children's Hospital Teaching Hospital Critical Hospital ResearchGrp Facility ER-24Hours ER-Other Other (describe) Facility reporting group
1 POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
206 EAST BROWN STREET
EAST STROUDSBURG,PA18301
WWW.POCONOHEALTHSYSTEM.ORG
072001
X X         X   LEVEL III TRAUMA CENTER  
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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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)
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Line number of hospital facility, or line numbers of hospital facilities in a facility
reporting group (from Part V, Section A):
1
Yes No
Community Health Needs Assessment
1 Was the hospital facility first licensed, registered, or similarly recognized by a state as a hospital facility in the current tax year or the immediately preceding tax year?........................ 1   No
2 Was the hospital facility acquired or placed into service as a tax-exempt hospital in the current tax year or the immediately preceding tax year? If “Yes,” provide details of the acquisition in Section C............... 2   No
3 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 12...................... 3 Yes  
If "Yes," indicate what the CHNA report describes (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
4 Indicate the tax year the hospital facility last conducted a CHNA: 20 16
5 In conducting its most recent CHNA, did the hospital facility take into account input from persons who represent the broad interests of the community served by the hospital facility, including those with special knowledge of or expertise in public health? If "Yes," describe in Section C how the hospital facility took into account input from persons who represent the community, and identify the persons the hospital facility consulted ................. 5 Yes  
6 a Was the hospital facility’s CHNA conducted with one or more other hospital facilities? If "Yes," list the other hospital facilities in Section C.................................. 6a   No
b Was the hospital facility’s CHNA conducted with one or more organizations other than hospital facilities?” If “Yes,” list the other organizations in Section C. ............................ 6b Yes  
7 Did the hospital facility make its CHNA report widely available to the public?.............. 7 Yes  
If "Yes," indicate how the CHNA report was made widely available (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
8 Did the hospital facility adopt an implementation strategy to meet the significant community health needs
identified through its most recently conducted CHNA? If "No," skip to line 11. ..............
8 Yes  
9 Indicate the tax year the hospital facility last adopted an implementation strategy: 20 16
10 Is the hospital facility's most recently adopted implementation strategy posted on a website?......... 10 Yes  
a If "Yes" (list url): WWW.LVHN.ORG/ABOUT_US
b If "No," is the hospital facility’s most recently adopted implementation strategy attached to this return? ...... 10b    
11 Describe in Section C how the hospital facility is addressing the significant needs identified in its most recently conducted CHNA and any such needs that are not being addressed together with the reasons why such needs are not being addressed.
12a 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)?............................... 12a   No
b If "Yes" on line 12a, did the organization file Form 4720 to report the section 4959 excise tax?........ 12b    
c If "Yes" on line 12b, 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) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Financial Assistance Policy (FAP)
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written financial assistance policy that:
13 Explained eligibility criteria for financial assistance, and whether such assistance included free or discounted care? 13 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate the eligibility criteria explained in the FAP:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
14 Explained the basis for calculating amounts charged to patients?................. 14 Yes  
15 Explained the method for applying for financial assistance?................... 15 Yes  
If “Yes,” indicate how the hospital facility’s FAP or FAP application form (including accompanying instructions) explained the method for applying for financial assistance (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
16 Was widely publicized within the community served by the hospital facility?........ 16 Yes  
If "Yes," indicate how the hospital facility publicized the policy (check all that apply):
a
WWW.LVHN.ORG/OUR_SERVICES/KEY_SUPPORT_SERVICES/FINANCIAL_ASSISTANCE
b
WWW.LVHN.ORG/OUR_SERVICES/KEY_SUPPORT_SERVICES/FINANCIAL_ASSISTANCE
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Billing and Collections
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
17 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 all of the actions the hospital facility or other authorized party may take upon nonpayment?.................................. 17 Yes  
18 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 individual’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP:
a
b
c
d
e
f
19 Did the hospital facility or other authorized party perform any of the following actions during the tax year before making reasonable efforts to determine the individual’s eligibility under the facility’s FAP?............ 19   No
If "Yes," check all actions in which the hospital facility or a third party engaged:
a
b
c
d
e
20 Indicate which efforts the hospital facility or other authorized party made before initiating any of the actions listed (whether or not checked) in line 19. (check all that apply):
a
b
c
d
e
f
Policy Relating to Emergency Medical Care
21 Did the hospital facility have in place during the tax year a written policy relating to emergency medical care that required 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?.................. 21 Yes  
If "No," indicate why:
a
b
c
d
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Part VFacility Information (continued)

Charges to Individuals Eligible for Assistance Under the FAP (FAP-Eligible Individuals)
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
Name of hospital facility or letter of facility reporting group  
Yes No
22 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
23 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individual 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? ............................... 23   No
If "Yes," explain in Section C.
24 During the tax year, did the hospital facility charge any FAP-eligible individual an amount equal to the gross charge for any service provided to that individual? ........................... 24   No
If "Yes," explain in Section C.
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Part V
Facility Information (continued)
Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B. Provide descriptions required for Part V, Section B, lines 2, 3j, 5, 6a, 6b, 7d, 11, 13b, 13h, 15e, 16j, 18e, 19e, 20e, 21c, 21d, 23, and 24. If applicable, provide separate descriptions for each hospital facility in a facility reporting group, designated by facility reporting group letter and hospital facility line number from Part V, Section A (“A, 1,” “A, 4,” “B, 2,” “B, 3,” etc.) and name of hospital facility.
Form and Line Reference Explanation
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - POCONO ("LVH-P") COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) STEERING COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM LVH-P'S HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP, LVHN'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH (DCH), AND EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CONDUCTED ITS 2017 CHNA FOR THE LVH-P CAMPUS. THIS GROUP OF LEADERS UTILIZED A COMBINATION OF QUANTITATIVE (E.G. PUBLIC HEALTH DATA) AND QUALITATIVE (E.G. INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS) DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS METHODS TO ANALYZE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE LVH-P CHNA STEERING COMMITTEE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO ENSURE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, INCLUDE ALL SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS, THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, AND MINORITY POPULATIONS, WERE REPRESENTED IN THIS ASSESSMENT. SEE FURTHER DETAIL OF COMMUNITY DETAIL AT SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 2.
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: LVH-P COLLABORATED WITH LVHN'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT1.1 CONNECT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND ALIGN WITH FINDINGS OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT.IN FY18, LVH-POCONO LEADERSHIP MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED WAY - MONROE COUNTY TO DISCUSS PARTICIPATION IN CHNA MEETINGS AND SUPPORTING THE "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED WAY-MONROE COUNTY IS A MEMBER OF THE LVH-POCONO CHNA STEERING COMMITTEE.1.2 PARTNER WITH UNITED WAY 211 NORTHEAST TO REFER PATIENTS TO THE 211 LISTING AND HELP TO UPDATE AND EXPAND THE LIST OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES. IN FY18, THE POCONO FOUNDATION AWARDED MONEY TO THE "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM. THE "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM ALLOWS SNAP (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS) PARTICIPANTS TO DOUBLE THEIR DOLLARS- UP TO $20 A DAY PER PARTICIPANT - WHEN THEY USE THEIR SNAP CARD AT PREDEFINED LOCATIONS IN THE LVH-POCONO SERVICE AREA. LVH-POCONO LEADERSHIP MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE POCONO ALLIANCE TO DISCUSS "BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY" PROGRAM AND DISSEMINATION OF 211 INFORMATION.1.3 IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, PROMOTE SMART BUYING DECISIONS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS THAT WILL TEACH COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF PURCHASING A HOME, SUCH AS MORTGAGE RATES AND PROPERTY AND SCHOOL TAXES.THESE RELATIONSHIPS WERE NOT DEVELOPED IN FY18. THEY WILL BE REEVALUATED IN FY19.1.4 DETERMINE FEASIBILITY OF PARTNERSHIP WITH ELDERLY LOW INCOME HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO INCREASE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.LVH-POCONO LEADERSHIP SPOKE WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND WESTGATE. THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND AT THIS TIME BUT IT WILL BE REVISITED IN THE FUTURE.1.5 WORK WITH LOCAL HOMELESS COORDINATION MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT HOSPITAL EFFORTS TARGETING HOMELESS RESIDENTS OR THOSE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS ARE ALIGNED WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL EFFORTS.LVH-POCONO CONTINUES TO BE THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR THE "STREET TO FEET" PROGRAM. IN FY18, THERE WERE 18 PCP VISITS, 2 OB-GYN VISITS, 5 BREAST SURGERY VISITS, 2 MAMMOGRAMS, 1 HEMATOLOGY, 1 CHEST X-RAY, 1 BREAST ULTRASOUND, 1 BREAST BIOPSY, AND MANY LAB SERVICES.1.6 LVH-POCONO WILL PARTNER WITH YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES AND COACHING AROUND HEALTH CARE CAREER OPTIONS AND PERSONAL HEALTH TO YOUTH AGES 13-16.IN FY18, 8 EVENTS WERE HELD AND 45 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED.AT-RISK POPULATIONS2.1 INITIATE A DEPRESSION DESTIGMATIZATION CAMPAIGN THAT USES VARIOUS MEDIA OUTLETS TO EDUCATE ABOUT DEPRESSION AS A TREATABLE HEALTH CONDITION, TO PROMOTE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF SYMPTOMS, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND CONNECTION TO TREATMENT; "TELL YOUR STORY CAMPAIGN"NO DEVELOPMENTS OCCURRED DURING FY18. THIS WILL BE EXPLORED FURTHER IN FY19.2.2 WITHIN PRACTICES USING ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD, IMPLEMENT AND TRACK RATES OF DEPRESSION SCREENING USING THE STANDARDIZED TOOL, PHQ-2/9, IN ORDER TO MORE ACCURATELY ASSESS DEPRESSION IN PATIENT POPULATIONS.DUE TO THE TRANSITION TO A NEW ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM, LVH-POCONO PHQ-2 AND PHQ-9 SCREENINGS CANNOT BE EXTRACTED UNTIL THE NEW SYSTEM IS IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN FY19.2.3 IMPLEMENT PHYSICIAN OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS PATIENT SCREENING FOR SAFE PRESCRIBING OF OPIOID ANALGESICS.IN FY18, THERE WERE TWO LVH-POCONO LARGE GROUP SESSIONS WHERE 80 PROVIDERS ATTENDED.2.4 ESTABLISH OUTPATIENT OFFICE-BASED STANDARDS FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE CARE OF PATIENTS PRESCRIBED OPIOID ANALGESICS.2.5 COORDINATE ACTIVITIES WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS RELATED TO EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS (SUDS).THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE BECAUSE CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES IS NO LONGER PROVIDING SUD TREATMENT, WHICH IS WHERE MOST OF THE SUD REFERRALS WERE BEING SENT. LVH-P IS REVISITING WHO POTENTIAL PARTNERS ARE IN THIS SPACE TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY TO GET CARE FOR PATIENTS THAT COME TO LVH-P WITH SUD.2.6 PROVIDE COORDINATED TRANSITIONS OF CARE AND FOLLOW UP FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA AND HEART FAILURE.ACCESS TO CARE3.1 IMPLEMENT LVHN'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, PROVIDING FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE FOR QUALIFYING PATIENTS.IN FY18, THERE WERE 435 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS. 41% WERE APPROVED, 4% WERE DENIED, AND 56% WERE PENDING.3.2 RECRUIT PRIMARY CARE AND OTHER SPECIALIST CLINICIANS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO NEEDED CARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.13 PROVIDERS WERE HIRED IN THE FIRST HALF OF FY18. BECAUSE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD ACROSS ALL PRACTICES, SCHEDULES FOR PROVIDERS WERE REDUCED TO ALLOW FOR IMPLEMENTATION, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING FOR INCREASED ACCESS. HOWEVER, SCHEDULES ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO NORMAL.3.3 PROVIDE LVHN COLLEAGUES WITH CULTURAL, LINGUISTIC TRAINING VIA A VARIETY OF DELIVERY MECHANISMS.IN THE SECOND HALF OF FY18, AND CULTURAL AWARENESS E-LEARNING MODULE WAS COMPLETED BY 1,602 (70%) OF LVH-POCONO COLLEAGUES.3.4 UNIVERSALLY RECORD PATIENT'S PREFERRED LANGUAGE FOR HEALTH CARE DISCUSSIONS AT TIME OF REGISTRATION.THERE WERE 141,801 PATIENTS WITH A DOCUMENTED PREFERRED LANGUAGE. THE TOP THREE LANGUAGES WERE ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND POLISH.3.5 ASSESS AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE RESOURCES IN ALL CARE DELIVERY SITES TO MEET NEEDS OF PATIENTS WHOSE PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH.IN FY18, THERE WERE 416 CALLS TO THE LANGUAGE LINE COUNTING FOR 5,686 MINUTES.3.6 RECRUIT OB-GYN CLINICIANS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PREGNANCY CARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.SEE 3.2 AS, OB-GYN PROVIDERS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT TOTAL. 3.7 EXPLORE BUS ROUTES/STOPS TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL CHANGES FOR ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE CENTERS.A NEW MCTA BUS ROUTE WAS ADDED FOR THE 447 MEDICAL OFFICE PLAZA AND HEALTH CENTER AT EAST STROUDSBURG. A NEW MCTA BUS ROUTE IS SCHEDULED TO BE ADDED IN MID-AUGUST (FY19) FOR THE HEALTH CENTER AT BARTONSVILLE.PREVENTION AND WELLNESS4.1 CONTINUE "BIGGEST WINNER" PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO REDUCE RATES OF OBESITY.IN FY18, THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM (FORMALLY THE "BIGGEST WINNER" PROGRAM) ASSISTED 401 PEOPLE TO LOSE 3,784 LBS. IN THE CURRENT SESSIONS WHICH STARTED IN JANUARY 2018.4.2 PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING TO LOCAL SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROVIDER NETWORK ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA "FOOD TO ENCOURAGE" MODEL AND "HEALTHY NUDGES."4.3 WORK WITH COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS TO EXPLORE EXPANSION OF "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NUTRITION INCENTIVES FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, IN ORDER TO INCREASE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION.IN FY18, $6,000 WAS GIVEN TO THE UNITED WAY OF MONROE COUNTY FOR THE "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM. THE "DOUBLE BUCKS" PROGRAM ALLOWS SNAP (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS) PARTICIPANTS TO DOUBLE THEIR DOLLARS - UP TO $20 A DAY PER PARTICIPANT - WHEN THEY USE THEIR SNAP CARD AT PREDEFINED LOCATIONS IN THE LVH-POCONO SERVICE AREA.4.4 PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES TO ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS TO REDUCE SMOKING RATES AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MONROE COUNTY.THROUGH JUNE 2018, 828 PATIENTS RECEIVED INFORMATION PRIOR TO DISCHARGE. 729 REFERRALS WERE PLACED TO SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATION SESSIONS WERE PROVIDED IN 5 SCHOOLS TO 3,150 YOUTH RANGING IN AGES FROM 5 TO 17 IN MONROE COUNTY.4.5 PROVIDE FREE FLU VACCINE AT MULTIPLE COMMUNITY SITES IN MONROE COUNTY TO THOSE IN NEED.IN FY18, 107 HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN THE FLU VACCINE. APPROXIMATELY 1,800 LVH-P EMPLOYEES RECEIVED THE FLU VACCINE AND APPROXIMATELY 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECEIVED THE FLU VACCINE.4.6 DEVELOP PROTOCOLS AND ORDER SETS WITHIN CLINICAL PRACTICES TO IMPROVE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING RATES AMONG ELIGIBLE WOMEN.$18,225 WAS SUPPLIED BY THE LVH-POCONO FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE: 253 NO CHARGE PROCEDURES, 18 CLINICAL BREAST EXAMS, 128 SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS, 107 ULTRASOUNDS, FOR 218 PATIENTS. THESE PATIENTS WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH A MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY COACH WORKING IN LVPG AND LVH-POCONO.4.7 INCREASE LUNG CANCER SCREENING RATES IN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT ELEVATED RISK FOR LUNG CANCER, BASED ON AGE AND SMOKING HISTORY (USING CURRENT USPSTF GUIDELINE).NO CANCER SCREENINGS ARE BEING OFFERED AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE TRANSITION TO A NEW ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM AT LVH-P.4.8 PARTNER WITH EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO SUPPORT RESEARCH PROJECTS FOCUSED ON COMMUTER HEALTH AND CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
Page 9
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
Page 9
Part VFacility Information (continued)

Section D. 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?  
Name and address Type of Facility (describe)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
Page 10
Part VI
Supplemental Information
Provide the following information.
1 Required descriptions. Provide the descriptions required for Part I, lines 3c, 6a, and 7; Part II and Part III, lines 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9b.
2 Needs assessment. Describe how the organization assesses the health care needs of the communities it serves, in addition to any CHNAs 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.
Form and Line Reference Explanation
PART I, LINE 7: LVH-P USED A COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO IN DETERMINING THE FIGURES REPORTED IN THIS TABLE. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES LESS BAD DEBT EXPENSES LESS NON-PATIENT ACTIVITIES LESS MEDICAID PROVIDER TAXES EQUALS COSTS RELATED TO PATIENT CARE DIVIDED BY GROSS PATIENT CHARGES.
PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F): 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 $ 23,350,035.
PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES: LVH-P PROVIDES A MYRIAD OF HEALTH SCREENINGS AND COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS ON HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND DISEASE AWARENESS THROUGH THE WELLNESS INSTITUTE AND THE SPIRIT OF WOMEN INITIATIVE. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR PATIENTS IN NEED, PROVIDING FREE SPACE FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, TELEVISION AND RADIO HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS OUTREACH.
PART III, LINE 2: THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE (AT COST) WAS DETERMINED BY APPLYING THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO, DERIVED FROM WORKSHEET 2-RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST TO CHARGES TO TOTAL THE NET OF ACTUAL BAD DEBT WRITE-OFFS AND RECOVERIES PROCESSED DURING THE 2018 FISCAL YEAR.THE ORGANIZATION HAS ESTIMATED THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE POLICY BY UTILIZING DATA FROM THE US CENSUS BUREAU. THE ORGANIZATION ESTIMATED THE PERCENTAGE BY OBTAINING THE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IN ITS SERVICE AREA FALLING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST PUBLICIZED CENSUS DATA FOR MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, 12.2% OF INDIVIDUALS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE IN POVERTY.
PART III, LINE 3: A COST TO CHARGE RATIO WAS USED. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES LESS BAD DEBT EXPENSES LESS NON-PATIENT ACTIVITIES LESS MEDICAID PROVIDER TAXES EQUAL COSTS RELATED TO PATIENT CARE DIVIDED BY GROSS PATIENT CHARGES.
PART III, LINE 4: BAD DEBTS - THE ORGANIZATION RECORDS A PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS RELATED TO UNINSURED ACCOUNTS NET OF THE AGB DISCOUNT TO RECORD THE NET SELF-PAY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AT THE ESTIMATED AMOUNTS THE ORGANIZATION EXPECTS TO COLLECT. COINSURANCES AND DEDUCTIBLES WITHIN THE THIRD-PARTY PAYER AGREEMENTS ARE THE PATIENT'S RESPONSIBILITY SO THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDES THESE AMOUNTS IN THE SELF-PAY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONSIDERS THESE AMOUNTS IN ITS DETERMINATION OF THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS BASED ON HISTORICAL COLLECTION EXPERIENCE.IN INSTANCES WHERE THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES A PATIENT HAS THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES AND, AFTER APPROPRIATE COLLECTION EFFORT, PAYMENT IS NOT MADE, THE AMOUNT OF SERVICES NOT PAID IS WRITTEN-OFF AS BAD DEBTS. AMOUNTS RECORDED AS PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS DO NOT INCLUDE CHARITY CARE. THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017, WAS $21,502,000 AND $23,406,000 RESPECTIVELY.
PART III, LINE 8: THE SHORTFALL SHOULD BE TREATED AS 100% COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THE FISCAL YEAR 2018 MEDICARE COST REPORT WAS UTILIZED TO CALCULATE THE COST REPORTED ON LINE 6. SERVING PATIENTS WITH GOVERNMENT HEALTH BENEFITS, SUCH AS MEDICARE, IS A COMPONENT OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD THAT TAX EXEMPT HOSPITALS ARE HELD TO. THIS IMPLIES THAT SERVING MEDICARE PATIENTS IS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND THAT THE HOSPITAL OPERATES TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
PART III, LINE 9B: FINANCIAL COUNSELING STAFF WILL DETERMINE WHETHER PATIENTS MEET ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. ACCOUNTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE ELIGIBLILTY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REFERRED TO AN EXTERNAL RECEIVABLES FOLLOW UP AGENCY, AND IF NOT PAID, REFERRED TO A COLLECTION AGENCY AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSFERRED TO BAD DEBT STATUS IF THE ACCOUNTS REMAIN UNPAID.
PART VI, LINE 2: IN FISCAL YEAR 2017, POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM COLLABORATED WITH THE LOCAL UNIVERSITY AND PRESENTED A COMPREHENSIVE MONROE COUNTY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AS A COMMUNITY FORUM TO PROVIDE A COMMUNICATION FLOW AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON ADDRESSING THE IDENTIFIED NEEDS.INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED ON THE CURRENT STRENGTHS, CONCERNS, AND CONDITIONS OF CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY. THE ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM MANY SOURCES, ELICITED BY MANY TECHNIQUES, AND INCLUDES OVER 50 SURVEYS OF KEY INFORMANTS, 2 FOCUS GROUPS, AND ANALYSIS OF SECONDARY DEMOGRAPHIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA. THIS COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT WAS DESIGNED AS A RAPID ASSESSMENT, AND IT IDENTIFIES KEY HEALTH TRENDS IN MONROE COUNTY ALONG FIVE AREAS:(1) DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS: HIGHLIGHTING THE MOST CRITICAL DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AFFECTING MONROE COUNTY INCLUDING OVERALL POPULATION GROWTH, SOURCES OF POPULATION GROWTH, THE COUNTY'S CHANGING DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE, SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE POPULATION, AND THE COUNTY'S ETHNIC AND RACIAL MAKE-UP. IN THIS ANALYSIS, THE ASSESSMENT COMPARES THE COUNTY WITH THE STATE AS WELL AS PEER COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.(2) EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE: PROVIDING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MONROE COUNTY, USING THE FOCUS AREAS IDENTIFIED IN HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020. IN THIS ANALYSIS, THE ASSESSMENT COMPARES THE COUNTY WITH THE STATE AS WELL AS PEER COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.(3) KEY INFORMANTS: IDENTIFIES AND ANALYZES THE PERCEIVED NEEDS OF KEY INFORMANTS IN THE COUNTY WITH REGARD TO ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS.(4) FOCUS GROUPS: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEIVED NEEDS OF KEY INFORMANTS IN THE COUNTY WITH REGARD TO ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS.(5) SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: PROVIDES A LIST OF THE FINDINGS OF THE VARIOUS DATA SOURCES.EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA THAT WERE COLLECTED AND ANALYZED FOR THE COUNTY ARE EXTRACTED FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:- UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU- PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: HEALTH PEOPLE 2020 OBJECTIVES- PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM- PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF CANCER INCIDENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES- PA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE- PA CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIAKEY INFORMANT SURVEYSWEB-BASED SURVEYS WERE SENT TO KEY INFORMANTS IN 125 INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTY. THESE KEY INFORMANTS REPRESENTED THE: (A) BUSINESS SECTOR, (B) THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, (C) THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR, (D) THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR, AND (E) FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.FOCUS GROUPSTWO FOCUS GROUPS WITH 10 COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES WERE CONVENED IN THE FALL OF 2017. THE FOCUS GROUPS ASKED PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF MONROE COUNTY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH FRAMEWORK MODEL. THE RESULTS OF THE FOCUS GROUPS ARE PRESENTED IN THE REPORT, BUT WERE ALSO USED TO PREPARE THE KEY INFORMANT SURVEY.DATA ANALYSISTHE ASSESSMENT ORGANIZED ITS DATA COLLECTION TO CONFORM WITH THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION'S COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS FRAMEWORK, AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC USED VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF MONROE COUNTY TO ORGANIZE AND COMPARE DATA.THE ANALYSIS ALSO COMPARED MONROE COUNTY WITH TWO COMPARATIVE VALUES OR GROUPS: PEER GROUP COUNTIES AND THE STATE. THIS ALLOWED THE ASSESSMENT TO COMPARE MONROE COUNTY TO THE STATE AVERAGE AS WELL AS THREE PEER COUNTIES WITHIN PENNSYLVANIA WITH REGARD TO KEY EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA. PEER COUNTIES WERE SELECTED BY IDENTIFYING COUNTIES SHARING SIMILAR COMMUNITY HEALTH-RELATED FACTORS. THE FOLLOWING FOUR FACTORS WERE USED TO DEFINE THE COUNTIES: (A) POPULATION SIZE, (B) POVERTY, (C) MEDIAN AGE, AND (D) POPULATION DENSITY. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS STUDY, MONROE COUNTY WAS COMPARED TO: (A) BUTLER COUNTY, (B) CUMBERLAND COUNTY, (C) DAUPHIN COUNTY, (D) PENNSYLVANIA, AND (E) THE U.S.THE DATA WAS ANALYZED USING BASIC DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS TO IDENTIFY TRENDS AND TO COMPARE MONROE COUNTY WITH THE COMPARISON GROUP.SUMMARY OF FINDINGSTHE FINDINGS OF THE ASSESSMENT SHOWS THAT MONROE COUNTY'S POPULATION HAS EXPERIENCED AMONG THE GREATEST POPULATION GROWTH IN THE STATE, AND THIS GROWTH HAS QUICKLY INCREASED THE COUNTY'S RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY. THE COUNTY HAS HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY THAT TEND TO BE CONCENTRATED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTY AND IT HAS NOT SEEN RAPID INCREASES IN HOUSEHOLD INCOMES.THE COUNTY HAS LOWER THAN EXPECTED NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS. IT ALSO HAS LOWER RATES OF MOST CANCERS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LUNG CANCER, AND HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED RATES OF SMOKING AND HEAVY DRINKING.MONROE COUNTY HAS HIGH LEVELS OF WOMEN RECEIVING NO PRE-NATAL CARE. THE COUNTY ALSO HAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE. THE PRIMARY DATA COLLECTED THROUGH THE SURVEYS AND FOCUS GROUPS CONFIRM MANY OF THESE FINDINGS, BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE GAP IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PREVENTION SERVICES.THE FINDINGS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS ARE HIGHLY INTERRELATED. MANY OF THE OUTCOMES AND SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL FACTORS HAVE THEIR FOUNDATIONS IN SYSTEMIC FACTORS. THE QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA SHOWS THAT CERTAIN THEMES AND FACTORS WERE IDENTIFIED WITH GREATEST FREQUENCY, AND CAN BE ORGANIZED IN THREE GENERAL CATEGORIES.OUTCOMES - POOR OUTCOMES IN:- CANCER- ORAL HEALTH- MATERNAL HEALTH- VIOLENCESOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL FACTORS - RISKY BEHAVIOR WITH REGARD TO:- SUBSTANCE ABUSE- ALCOHOLISM- SMOKING- POOR NUTRITIONSYSTEMIC FACTORS:- LACK OF PRIMARY CARE (INCLUDING DENTAL CARE)- LACK OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH- LACK OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES- POOR TRANSPORTATION- LIMITED BUILT ENVIRONMENTBY CROSS-TABULATING THESE THREE SETS OF INDICATORS AND USING THE ESTABLISHED CORRELATIONS FOUND IN THE LITERATURE BETWEEN THE SYSTEMIC FACTORS AND THE IDENTIFIED OUTCOMES AND OBSERVED BEHAVIORS, IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT THE FIVE SYSTEMIC FACTORS IDENTIFIED ARE HIGHLY INTERRELATED WITH THE OUTCOME INDICATORS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED. ACCORDING TO THIS LOGIC, INTERVENTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ADDRESS THE KNOWN SYSTEMIC FACTORS MAY EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE MORE SPECIFIC CRITICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LACK OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES IS A ROOT CAUSE OF ALL THE SPECIFIC HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES IDENTIFIED - NO PRE-NATAL CARE, MENTAL ILLNESS, CANCER, POOR NUTRITION, ETC. MONROE COUNTY POSSESSES THE QUALITIES AND THE ASSETS REQUIRED TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ITS RESIDENTS, AND TO IMPROVE ITS ALREADY-GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE. THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS ASSETS OF THE COUNTY ARE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF AN OVERALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. THE BARRIERS TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THAT THE RESIDENTS OF MONROE COUNTY FACE ARE VARIED AND EFFECT EVERY SEGMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY'S RESIDENTS REPORT GOOD QUALITY CARE AND DO NOT HIGHLIGHT AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL CARE. HOWEVER, THAT DATA SHOWS A NEED OF PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON PRIMARY CARE, PREVENTION AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES. ANY BROAD INITIATIVE LOOKING TO ENHANCE THE COUNTY'S QUALITY OF LIFE MUST BE PREDICATED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF PRIMARY CARE, ACCESS TO DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS, AND SYSTEM CONDUCIVE TO SOCIAL WELLNESS.THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS IS BEING EFFECTED DETRIMENTALLY BY A SYSTEMIC LACK OF:- OVERALL PRIMARY CARE.- PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN MATERNAL HEALTH CARE.- INITIATIVES IMPROVING ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.- PROGRAMS PROMOTING HEALTHY ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES (SPECIALLY TARGETING SMOKING, DRINKING, AND NUTRITION).- PROGRAMS ENSURING ACCESS TO BASIC DENTAL CARE.THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS WOULD IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT:- PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO ATTAIN THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS.- ENCOURAGE CREATION AND SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE OF INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SYSTEMS FOR CONSUMERS.- PROMOTE POLICY CHANGES AND STRENGTHEN PROGRAMS THAT WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND TERTIARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS.- ASSIST SAFETY-NET PROVIDERS WHO OFFER SERVICES TO HIGH-RISK, UNDERSERVED PEOPLE AND TO THE DISADVANTAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.- PROMOTE PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE PREVENTION AMONG HIGH-RISK, UNDERSERVED AND/OR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
PART VI, LINE 3: PATIENTS WHO EXPRESS A NEED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE INITIALLY OFFERED A DISCOUNT OF CHARGES AND/OR A PAYMENT PLAN. ONCE A DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE THAT A PATIENT IS UNINSURED, THEY ARE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE CHARITY POLICY AS WELL AS AN APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. LVH-P'S CHARITY POLICY IS POSTED IN INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT AREAS AND ON THE LVHN WEB SITE. A NOTICE IS ALSO PROVIDED IN THE PATIENTS' BILL AND TO LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. LVH-P REVIEWS COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AGAINST ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE POLICY. ALL PRE-REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, BUSINESS OFFICE, AND PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES STAFF RECEIVE TRAINING AS TO THE POLICY.
PART VI, LINE 4: LVH-P PRIMARILY SERVES MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AND ADJACENT AREAS. MONROE COUNTY IS 608.3 SQUARE MILES. THE COUNTY BORDERS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. A TOTAL OF 42.1% OF THE POPULATION IS LIVING A RURAL AREA IN MONROE COUNTY, COMPARED TO 27% IN THE STATE.ALTERNATIVELY, 57.9% OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN AN URBAN AREA, COMPARED TO 73% IN THE STATE. URBAN AREAS ARE IDENTIFIED USING POPULATION DENSITY, COUNT, SIZE THRESHOLDS, AND DEVELOPMENT. RURAL AREAS ARE CLASSIFIED AS ALL AREAS THAT ARE NOT URBAN (US CENSUS BUREAU, 2016). FROM 2015-2016, THE TOTAL POPULATION WITHIN MONROE COUNTY DECREASED BY .45%, EQUALING 755 LESS RESIDENTS THAT MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTY. WITHIN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, THERE HAS BEEN A POPULATION CHANGE OF .8%. A POSITIVE SHIFT IN TOTAL POPULATION OVER TIME IMPACTS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THE UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES (US CENSUS BUREAU, 2016). THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN MONROE COUNTY (37.6%) ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 45 - 64; 28.50% ARE AGES 25 - 44; 16.3% ARE AGES 5 - 17; 8% ARE AGES 65 - 74; 5.1% ARE AGE 75 OR OLDER; AND 4.5% ARE UNDER AGE 5 (US CENSUS BUREAU, ACS 2015-16). OVERALL, INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN MONROE COUNTY TEND TO BE MIDDLE-AGED OR YOUNGER. DATA SUGGESTS THAT 14.0%, OR 20,071 MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS, ARE LIVING IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH AN INCOME AT OR BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (US CENSUS BUREAU, ACS 2015-16). QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTED FROM FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY LEADERS HIGHLIGHTS THAT POVERTY IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT CREATES BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HEALTHCARE SERVICES, DENTAL SERVICES, AND HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOODS, AND IT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASE IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION WITHIN MONROE COUNTY. WHEN COMPARING RACE ALONE, LESS THAN THREE-QUARTERS (68.1%) OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN MONROE COUNTY ARE WHITE. THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION WITHIN MONROE COUNTY SELF-REPORTED AS NON-HISPANIC (85.4%) AND THE REMAINING 14.6% SELF-REPORTED AS HISPANIC OR LATINO. PENNSYLVANIA DATA INDICATES THAT 6.4% OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC OR LATINO, COMPARED TO 17.1% OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SELF-REPORTED BEING HISPANIC OR LATINO IN THE UNITED STATES (US CENSUS BUREAU, ACS 2015-16).
PART VI, LINE 5: AS AN ORGANIZATION DEEPLY ROOTED IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY, WE TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THEIR DIVERSE AND CHALLENGING HEALTHCARE NEEDS. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR ALONE, WE PROVIDED MORE THAN $56.4 MILLION IN SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED DIRECT PATIENT CARE, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHORTFALL, CHARITY CARE AT COST, BAD DEBT EXPENSE AT COST, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PREVENTION, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL AND PATIENT EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE MONROE COUNTY HEALTH FAMILY CENTER, THE COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL COLLEGE, AND OUR AUXILIARY.BY TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND SCREENINGS, WE ARE ABLE TO FULFILL OUR MISSION OF DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS CARE, CLOSE TO HOME - A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WE CONSIDER PRICELESS. AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL SPIRIT OF WOMEN NETWORK, WE PROVIDE HEALTH PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. WE BELIEVE THAT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES EDUCATION BEGINS EARLY IN LIFE AND THIS YEAR LAUNCHED OUR SPIRIT GIRLS PROGRAM AS AN EXTENSION OF SPIRIT OF WOMEN TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND PROMOTE SELF-ESTEEM FOR EIGHTH-GRADE GIRLS LIVING IN MONROE COUNTY. WE ALSO CLOSELY PARTNER WITH THE GREATER POCONO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO OFFER A HEALTH PROGRAM TO NEW MEMBERS AND SHARE INFORMATION REGULARLY TO HELP FOSTER HEALTHY WORKPLACES.GIVEN THE HIGH COMMUNITY UTILIZATION OF CRITICAL SERVICES, WE CLOSELY PARTNER WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO OFFER BLOOD DRIVES MONTHLY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SUPPLY TO MEET THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF PATIENTS. IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE DONORS, WE ENGAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD. WE ALSO WORK WITH CHANNEL 13 BLUE RIDGE CABLE TO OFFER PATHWAYS TO HEALTHY LIVING, WHICH IS AN INTERACTIVE MONTHLY HEALTH EDUCATION SHOW. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH POCONO ALLIANCE TO OBTAIN A GRANT FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO OFFER FREE INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATIONS TO HIGH RISK AND SENIOR POPULATIONS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN OVER A THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS BEING VACCINATED.THROUGH THE DALE AND FRANCES HUGHES CANCER CENTER, WELLNESS INSTITUTE, SPIRIT OF WOMEN, AND OTHERS, WE OFFER FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS AND RISK ASSESSMENTS TO COMMUNITY RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE INCLUDE BREAST, PROSTATE, COLON, SKIN, CARDIAC, AND PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE, AMONG OTHERS. WE ALSO OFFER A SPEAKER'S BUREAU PROGRAM WHICH SENDS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INTO THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK TO STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, AND OTHERS ON A MYRIAD OF HEALTH MATTERS. WE ROUTINELY ATTEND EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO SHARE HEALTH INFORMATION AND PROVIDE SCREENINGS AND RISK ASSESSMENTS.WE PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL HEALTH COURSES AT OUR LEARNING INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO FEATURE VARIOUS SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATION CLASSES, AMONG OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY IN THEIR HEALTH. ONE OF THE MAJOR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IS CALLED COMMUNITY HEALTH CONNECTIONS. THIS EFFORT WAS DEVELOPED AFTER THE MONROE COUNTY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS WERE REVEALED TO THE COMMUNITY IN OCTOBER 2011. A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, AMONG OTHERS WAS FORMED AND THEY DECIDED IT WAS BEST TO FOCUS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUES.WE THEN ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY BY INVITING THOSE INTERESTED TO BECOME A PART OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS WORKING GROUPS. THESE GROUPS HAVE MET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND SHARED IDEAS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MONROE COUNTY. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP WORKED WITH THE GREATER POCONO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S LEADERSHIP POCONO PROGRAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROVIDERS AND SYSTEM IN PLACE AND ALSO HAVE COLLABORATED ON THE NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY, NATIONAL SUICIDE SURVIVORS DAY, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS' EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE WELLNESS GROUP FIRST IDENTIFIED EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ACCESSIBILITY/AWARENESS OF THE OBESITY ISSUE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENGAGE, ENROLL, EDUCATE, NOTIFY INDIVIDUALS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND TRACK PARTICIPATION/OUTCOMES. WE HAVE ALSO SERVED AS THE MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDER TO LARGE-SCALE EVENTS INCLUDING THE RED CROSS RUN FOR THE RED POCONO MARATHON. CARL WILGUS, PRESIDENT/CEO, POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU, HAD COMMENTED THAT: "KNOWING THAT WE HAD THE BACK-UP OF POCONO MEDICAL CENTER AS WELL AS THE SAFETY NET OF THE ENTIRE POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM MEANT KNOWING THAT OUR ATHLETES WOULD RECEIVE TOP-NOTCH MEDICAL ATTENTION DELIVERED WITH HOMETOWN CARE."
PART VI, LINE 6: POCONO MEDICAL CENTER (DBA LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - POCONO) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL AFFILIATED WITH POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM (THE "HEALTH SYSTEM"). THE HEALTH SYSTEM IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMATICALLY AND FINANCIALLY THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MEDICAL CENTER AND OTHER ENTITIES IT CONTROLS. THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S OPERATIONS AND PRIMARY SERVICE AREA INCLUDES STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ALL REVENUES GENERATED BY THE SYSTEM ARE RELATED TO THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THE HEALTH SYSTEM HAS CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT INCLUDE THE ACCOUNTS AND TRANSACTIONS OF LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, THE CONTROLLING PARENT, AND ITS AFFILIATES INCLUDING POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM, POCONO MEDICAL CENTER, FAMILY CARE CENTERS, INC., POCONO HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, POCONO HEALTH FOUNDATION, POCONO AMBULATORY SERVICES, INC., AND POCONO VNA-HOSPICE.FAMILY CARE CENTERS, INC. (DBA LEHIGH VALLEY PHYSICIAN GROUP - POCONO) OPERATES SEVERAL PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO FAMILY MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY.POCONO HEALTH FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING FOR POCONO MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS' AFFILIATES.POCONO AMBULATORY SERVICES, INC. PROVIDES OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO PATIENTS THROUGH A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTEREST IN POCONO AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER (PASC).POCONO HEALTHCARE PARTNERS PROVIDES OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY AND WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE SERVICES.POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM WAS FORMED TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF POCONO MEDICAL CENTER, MAINTAIN A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, AND TO CARRY ON SUCH ACTIVITIES.POCONO VNA-HOSPICE ("VNA") IS A PA NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, THE SOLE MEMBER OF WHICH IS THE PARENT. VNA HAS BEEN THE ONLY NON-PROFIT HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE AGENCY BASED IN MONROE COUNTY SINCE 1950. VNA SERVICES ALL OF MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AND PROVIDES LIMITED SERVICES TO PORTIONS OF NORTHAMPTON, CARBON, LUZERNE, LACKAWANNA, PIKE, AND WAYNE COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM INVESTMENT COLLABORATIVE, LP IS A LIMITED INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP OF WHICH POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM OWNS THE MAJORITY 83.5%.IN ADDITION, ON JANUARY 1, 2017, AS NOTED ON FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6, POCONO MEDICAL CENTER BECAME PART OF LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK. INCLUDED IN LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK ARE ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONTRIBUTING TO PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF OTHER COMMUNITIES. SEE FORM 990, SCHEDULE R FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THESE RELATED ENTITIES.
PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES PA
Schedule H (Form 990) 2017
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