PART I, LINE 3C:
|
TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL INC. UTILIZES THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES ("FPG") IN DETERMINING CHARITY CARE ELIGIBILITY. SEE THE RESPONSES TO PART I, LINE 3A AND 3B.AN INDIVIDUAL'S INCOME UNDER FPG IS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR CHARITY CARE. ADDITIONALLY, AN INDIVIDUAL'S INCOME IN RELATION TO HIS/HER MEDICAL EXPENSES IS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND SUCH A PATIENT MAY BE EXTENDED DISCOUNTED OR FREE CARE BASED UPON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. FINALLY, TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. PROVIDES DISCOUNTED CARE AT SELECT CLINICS.
|
PART I, LINE 6A:
|
IN 1995, THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL OF CINCINNATI, OHIO AND BETHESDA HOSPITAL, INC. FORMED A PARTNERSHIP CALLED TRIHEALTH TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM WHOSE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION, WELLNESS AND EDUCATION. IN 2013, TRIHEALTH ORGANIZED TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION.THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROVIDED BY TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. IS TRACKED ON A STANDALONE BASIS; HOWEVER, ITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT IS REPORTED IN A REPORT PREPARED BY TRIHEALTH IN COMBINATION WITH ITS RELATED HOSPITALS - BETHESDA HOSPITAL, INC., THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL OF CINCINNATI, OHIO AND MCCULLOUGH-HYDE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
|
PART I, LINE 7:
|
FOR THE AMOUNTS REPORTED AT COST IN PART I, LINE 7, TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. UTILIZED WORKSHEET 2 - RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST-TO-CHARGES, WHICH WAS PROVIDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO SCHEDULE H, TO CALCULATE THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO.
|
PART I, LN 7 COL(F):
|
BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS NOT INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25. IT IS PRESENTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 2 AS A DEDUCTION FROM PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE WHICH CORRESPONDS TO ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION. SEE RESPONSE TO PART III, LINE 4. THEREFORE, NO ADJUSTMENT TO TOTAL EXPENSES SHOWN ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25 IS NECESSARY.
|
PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
|
TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. DID NOT ENGAGE IN ANY COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES DURING THE TAX YEAR.
|
PART III, LINE 2:
|
SEE PART VI RESPONSE TO PART III, LINE 4.
|
PART III, LINE 3:
|
SEE PART VI RESPONSE TO PART III, LINE 4.
|
PART III, LINE 4:
|
TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL INC.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AUDITED AS PART OF THE TRIHEALTH AUDIT REPORT.NET PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (PART OF FOOTNOTE B)NET PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO THE ESTIMATED AMOUNTS EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED. THESE ESTIMATED AMOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS UPON REVIEW BY THIRD-PARTY PAYORS. THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBT IS BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS, CONSIDERING HISTORICAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, AND OTHER COLLECTION INDICATORS. MANAGEMENT PERIODICALLY ASSESSES THE ADEQUACY OF THE ALLOWANCES FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS BASED UPON HISTORICAL WRITE-OFF EXPERIENCE. THE RESULTS OF THESE REVIEWS ARE USED TO MODIFY AS NECESSARY THE PROVISIONS FOR BAD DEBT AND TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE ALLOWANCES FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE NET PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. SIGNIFICANT PROVISION IS MADE FOR SELF-PAY PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE IN THE PERIOD OF SERVICE BASED UPON HISTORICAL WRITE-OFF EXPERIENCE.AFTER SATISFACTION OF AMOUNTS DUE FROM INSURANCE, TRIHEALTH FOLLOWS ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR PLACING CERTAIN PATIENT BALANCES WITH COLLECTION AGENCIES, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON COLLECTION EFFORTS AS DETERMINED BY TRIHEALTH.THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE CURRENT YEAR TO THE UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS USED BY TRIHEALTH TO ESTIMATE THE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTABLE ACCOOUNTS.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS THAT POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TRIHEALTH TO CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK CONSIST PRIMARILY OF NONGOVERNMENTAL PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. TRIHEALTH GRANTS CREDIT WITHOUT COLLATERAL TO ITS PATIENTS, MOST OF WHOM ARE INSURED UNDER THIRD-PARTY PAYOR AGREEMENTS.THE PERCENTAGES OF GROSS PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM PATIENTS AND THIRD-PARTY PAYORS AT JUNE 30 APPROXIMATED THE FOLLOWING:2018 - MEDICARE 12%, MEDICAID 1%, MANAGED MEDICARE/MEDICAID 26%, SELF PAY 24%, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER 37%2017 - MEDICARE 14%, MEDICAID 2%, MANAGED MEDICARE/MEDICAID 28%, SELF PAY 20%, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER 36%TRIHEALTH HAS AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD-PARTY PAYORS THAT PROVIDE FOR PAYMENTS AT AMOUNTS DIFFERENT FROM ITS ESTABLISHED RATES. THE BASIS FOR PAYMENT UNDER THESE AGREEMENTS INCLUDES PROSPECTIVELY DETERMINED RATES, COST REIMBURSEMENT, NEGOTIATED DISCOUNTS FROM ESTABLISHED RATES, AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS. PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE IS REPORTED AT THE ESTIMATED NET REALIZABLE AMOUNTS FROM PATIENTS, THIRD-PARTY PAYORS AND OTHERS FOR SERVICES RENDERED, INCLUDING ESTIMATED RETROACTIVE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO FUTURE AUDITS, REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ESTIMATED AND ACTUAL ADJUSTMENTS ARE RECORDED AS PART OF NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE IN FUTURE PERIODS, AS THE AMOUNTS BECOME KNOWN, OR AS YEARS ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO SUCH AUDITS, REVIEWS AND INVESTIGATIONS. TRIHEALTH RECOGNIZES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE AT THE TIME THE SERVICES ARE RENDERED EVEN THOUGH IT DOES NOT ASSESS THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY. AS A RESULT, THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBT IS PRESENTED AS A DEDUCTION FROM PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE NET OF CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS AND DISCOUNTS.AS FOR THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT THAT REASONABLY COULD BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS WHO LIKELY WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE POLICY, TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. DOES NOT REPORT ACTUAL BAD DEBT EXPENSE AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT. IF UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT IS ULTIMATELY DETERMINED THAT A PORTION OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS WHO WOULD LIKELY QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER TRIHEALTH'S CHARITY CARE POLICY, THOSE COSTS WOULD BE RECLASSIFIED, AS APPROPRIATE, TO COMMUNITY BENEFIT AT THAT TIME.PLEASE NOTE THAT BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS NOT DETERMINED UNTIL AFTER ALL DISCOUNTS AND ANY ASSOCIATED PAYMENTS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. IF ANY PAYMENTS ARE RECEIVED AFTER A PATIENT ACCOUNT IS DETERMINED TO BE BAD DEBT, THE ACCOUNT WILL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY AT THAT TIME.
|
PART III, LINE 8:
|
TRIHEALTH, INC. USES THE "STEPDOWN METHODOLOGY" IN DETERMINING THE MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS REPORTED ON THE MEDICARE COST REPORT. THIS METHOD OF COST FINDING PROVIDES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF THE COST OF SERVICES RENDERED BY EACH GENERAL SERVICE COST CENTER TO OTHER COST CENTERS WHICH UTILIZE SUCH SERVICES. ONCE THE COSTS OF A GENERAL SERVICE COST CENTER HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED, THAT COST CENTER IS CONSIDERED CLOSED. ONCE CLOSED, IT DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE COSTS SUBSEQUENTLY ALLOCATED FROM THE REMAINING GENERAL SERVICE COST CENTERS. TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL,INC. DID NOT REPORT ANY MEDICARE SHORTFALL AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT IN PART III, LINE 7 OF THIS SCHEDULE.
|
PART III, LINE 9B:
|
AS OF THE FILING OF THIS RETURN, TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC., AS PART OF TRIHEALTH, INC., MAINTAINS A WRITTEN DEBT COLLECTION POLICY. TRIHEALTH, INC., WHO PERFORMS THE BILLING SERVICES FOR ALL AFFILIATED HOSPITALS, WILL NOT INITIATE COLLECTION PRACTICES ON PATIENTS WHO ARE KNOWN TO QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. BEFORE COLLECTION ACTIONS ARE TAKEN, TRIHEALTH, INC. WILL MAKE REASONABLE EFFORTS, GENERALLY AS EARLY IN THE BILLING PROCESS AS POSSIBLE, TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PATIENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AFTER SUCH EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND A BALANCE REMAINS THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PATIENT OR GUARANTOR, TRIHEALTH, INC. MAY PURSUE, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, WHATEVER ACTIONS IT MAY BE ENTITLED TO TAKE UNDER LAW.
|
PART VI, LINE 2:
|
IN 1995, BETHESDA HOSPITAL, INC. AND THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL OF CINCINNATI, OHIO FORMED A PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE A LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM: TRIHEALTH, INC. ("TRIHEALTH"). THE MISSION OF TRIHEALTH IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION, WELLNESS AND EDUCATION.IN JANUARY 2013, TRIHEALTH ACQUIRED EVENDALE MEDICAL CENTER AND FORMED TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS CONSISTS OF TEN OPERATING ROOMS, 29 INPATIENT ROOMS AND A COMPLETE IMAGING AND DIAGNOSTIC FACILITY. SERVICES RANGE FROM INPATIENT SURGERY TO ORTHOPEDICS, GYNECOLOGY AND OUTPATIENT IMAGING.TRIHEALTH PARTICIPATED IN AND WAS A FUNDER OF THE WORK OF A COLLABORATIVE, REGIONAL EFFORT, THE A.I.M. FOR BETTER HEALTH COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ("A.I.M."). IN THE AREAS ASSESSED, THOSE SURVEYED WERE MORE OFTEN UNDERSERVED, INCLUDING THE UNINSURED, THE UNDERINSURED, THOSE IN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, MINORITIES, THOSE OVER THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE, OR THOSE WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL ILLNESS. THE A.I.M., PUBLISHED IN THE SPRING OF 2012, WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP A SPECIFIC COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC.
|
PART VI, LINE 3:
|
TRIHEALTH, INC. PERFORMS THE BILLING SERVICES FOR ALL AFFILIATED HOSPITALS INCLUDING TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. BROCHURES/APPLICATIONS, PROVIDED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES, ARE VISIBLE AND AVAILABLE IN THE REGISTRATION AND ADMITTING AREAS OF ALL TRIHEALTH AFFILIATED HOSPITALS. IN ADDITION, THE APPLICATION IS PRINTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF A PATIENT'S BILL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AS WELL AS HOW TO RETURN IT. FINANCIAL COUNSELORS ASSIST PATIENTS IN COMPLETING THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. FINALLY, TRIHEALTH, INC.'S WEBSITE CONTAINS INFORMATION REGARDING ITS CHARITY CARE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WITH DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL TO INITIATE AN APPLICATION OR ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS.
|
PART VI, LINE 4:
|
LOCATED IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. AND THE TRIHEALTH, INC. SYSTEM SERVE HAMILTON, BUTLER, WARREN, CLINTON AND CLERMONT COUNTIES IN OHIO AS WELL AS PERSONS FROM INDIANA AND KENTUCKY. IN METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS, THE CINCINNATI-MIDDLETOWN REGION IS THE LARGEST IN OHIO. THE ESTIMATED POPULATION FOR THIS AREA IS 2,150,000. THE POPULATION WITHIN THE FIVE OHIO COUNTIES SERVED BY TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. AND TRIHEALTH, INC. IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1,663,000 AND 12.0 PERCENT OF THIS POPULATION IS UNINSURED.
|
PART VI, LINE 5:
|
TRIHEALTH HOSPITAL, INC. IS COMPRISED OF VARIOUS MEDICAL SERVICES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING TRIHEALTH EVENDALE HOSPITAL AND TRIHEALTH SURGERY CENTER WEST, EACH OF WHICH HAS AN OPEN MEDICAL STAFF. ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMPRISED OF INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES.TRIHEALTH EVENDALE HOSPITAL CONSISTS OF TEN OPERATING ROOMS, 29 INPATIENT ROOMS AND A COMPLETE IMAGING AND DIAGNOSTIC FACILITY. SERVICES RANGE FROM INPATIENT SURGERY TO ORTHOPEDICS, GYNECOLOGY AND OUTPATIENT IMAGING.TRIHEALTH SURGERY CENTER WEST CONSISTS OF FOUR OPERATING ROOMS AND TWO PROCEDURE ROOMS.TRIHEALTH HAND SURGERY CENTER IS A SPACIOUS, STATE-OF-THE-ART, OUTPATIENT SURGICAL FACILITY, EQUIPPED TO PERFORM SOPHISTICATED HAND SURGERY PROCEDURES.TRIHEALTH ENDOSCOPY CENTER NORTH PROVIDES COMPETENT, SAFE, HIGH QUALITY, COST EFFECTIVE AND ACCESSIBLE CARE. THE CENTER PROVIDES SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS THAT RANGE IN AGE FROM ADOLESCENCE (14-17 WEIGHING GREATER THAN 100 POUNDS) THROUGH THE ELDERLY ADULT (80 YEARS PLUS). TRIHEALTH SURGERY CENTER ANDERSON OFFERS THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES PROVEN TO ENHANCE CLINICAL OUTCOMES. IT WILL FEATURE FOUR OPERATING ROOMS, ONE ENDOSCOPY ROOM AND A LABORATORY. THE CENTER WILL FOCUS ON PATIENT/FAMILY-CENTERED CARE INCLUDING PEDIATRICS.
|
PART VI, LINE 6:
|
IN 1995, THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL OF CINCINNATI, OHIO AND BETHESDA HOSPITAL, INC. FORMED A PARTNERSHIP CALLED TRIHEALTH IN ORDER TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM WHOSE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION, WELLNESS AND EDUCATION.THROUGH FIVE (5) HOSPITALS, THREE (3) AMBULATORY LOCATIONS AND OVER 125 SITES OF CARE (EMPLOYING OVER 600 PHYSICIANS INCLUDING RESIDENTS), TRIHEALTH PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF CLINICAL, EDUCATIONAL, PREVENTIVE AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. TRIHEALTH'S NON-HOSPITAL SERVICES INCLUDE PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, FITNESS CENTERS AND FITNESS CENTER MANAGEMENT, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTERS, HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE CARE.
|