PART I, LINE 7:
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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.
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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 $ 23,350,035.
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PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 2:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 3:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 4:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 8:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 9B:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 2:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 3:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 4:
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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).
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PART VI, LINE 5:
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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."
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PART VI, LINE 6:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
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PA
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