PART I, LINE 3C:
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NOT APPLICABLE
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PART I, LINE 6A. COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT
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THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION IS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT PREPARED BY A RELATED ORGANIZATION, VIRTUA HEALTH, INC. THIS REPORT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA VIRTUA HEALTH'S WEBSITE, WWW.VIRTUA.ORG.
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PART I, LINE 7 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFITS AT COST
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A COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM THAT ADDRESSED ALL PATIENT SEGMENTS WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, MEANS-TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS (ITEMS 7A THROUGH 7D) AND SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES (ITEM 7G) COST. THE CALCULATION OF COST FOR ALL OTHER BENEFITS (ITEMS 7E, 7F, 7H, AND 7I) IS BASED ON ACTUAL COST.
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PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:VIRTUA COMMITS EXTENSIVE RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AS WELL AS IN HEALTH/COMMUNITY-IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMING AND PROFESSIONAL TIME AND EXPERTISE. VIRTUA FOCUSES ITS RESOURCES ON PROGRAMS THAT WILL HAVE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HEALTH IMPROVEMENT. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH LIKE ACCESS TO GOOD MEDICAL CARE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD ARE A CENTERPIECE OF VIRTUA'S COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS. FOOD DRIVES WERE ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT VIRTUA'S FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDES A YEAR-ROUND MOBILE FARMERS MARKET, TWO HOSPITAL-BASED FOOD AS MEDICINE PANTRIES, FURLOUGHED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES DURING THE SHUTDOWN, AND A THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR CAMDEN CITY FAMILIES. THE 2019 ANNUAL TURKEY AND PRODUCE GIVEAWAY PROVIDED COMPLETE HOLIDAY MEALS, INCLUDING A WHOLE TURKEY, FOR MORE THAN 1,100 FAMILIES IN CAMDEN CITY AND WILLINGBORO, NJ. VIRTUA HEALTH ORGANIZED, OR COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, PARTICIPATION IN DOZENS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING EVENTS. A SAMPLING INCLUDES BABY AND TODDLER EXPO FOR MILITARY FAMILIES, NUMEROUS DISEASE-SPECIFIC SUPPORT GROUPS, VARIOUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIRS, COMMUNITY/SCHOOL CLEAN-UPS, AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS ON A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES TOPICS. VIRTUA'S MOBILE FARMERS MARKET, HOSPITAL-BASED FOOD PANTRIES, AND MOBILE UNITS FOR PEDIATRICS AND MAMMOGRAPHY HAVE PROVIDED A CRITICAL SAFETY NET IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE GREATEST NEED. VIRTUA COLLABORATES WITH OTHER TRUSTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, NON-PROFIT FOUNDATIONS, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO REACH AS MANY AREA RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE. VIRTUA WORKS WITH THESE PARTNERS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, PROMOTE HEALTH SERVICES AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, AND BRING VIRTUA SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. THE RIDE HEALTH TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES FREE NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FOR ESTABLISHED PATIENTS WHO FACE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HEALTHCARE SERVICES, IS ANOTHER DIRECT WAY VIRTUA HELPS THEIR PATIENTS ON A DAILY BASIS.OUR FACILITIES PROVIDED FREE MEETING SPACE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES EXPERTS SUPPORT AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF DISASTER PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO ENSURE COMMUNITY READINESS IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR EMERGENCY. VIRTUA'S EMERGENCY SERVICES STAFF ALSO PROVIDE FREE SUPPORT AND EDUCATION AT COMMUNITY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AS THE REGION'S LEADING PROVIDER OF MATERNITY AND WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES, VIRTUA PROVIDES EXPANSIVE PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING BREAST-FEEDING SUPPORT, FREE SCREENINGS FOR POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF AN INFANT. VIRTUA PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF FREE SERVICES FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, FROM SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER AND DIABETES, TO TEEN SELF-ESTEEM, TO HEALTH EDUCATION, SCREENING, AND FREE LAB WORK TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. MULTIPLE EVENTS ARE HELD TO INSPIRE YOUNG TEENS TO CONSIDER CAREERS IN HEALTH SCIENCES, PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATION VIRTUA MANAGERS DONATE THEIR TIME AND SKILL TO A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THAT AFFORDED BY ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS. THROUGH ITS PROJECT 76 PROGRAMMING, VIRTUA MANAGERS GIVE HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF THEIR TIME EACH YEAR TO PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN CAMDEN. THIS YEAR'S PROJECT 76 BUILT "BOOK NOOKS" AT WIGGINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CAMDEN, ASSEMBLED READING AND FAMILY SUPPORT KITS, ORGANIZED AND CLEAN CLASSROOMS, AND PROVIDED ASSISTANCE THROUGH A MULTITUDE OF BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS.
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PART III, LINE 2:
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VIRTUA - MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BURLINGTON COUNTY, INC. ADOPTED ASU 2014-09 (ASC TOPIC 606) AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018. UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF ASU 2014-09, THE ESTIMATED UNCOLLECTIBLE AMOUNTS OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED IMPLICIT PRICE CONCESSIONS THAT ARE A DIRECT REDUCTION TO PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE, RATHER THAN AN ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND BAD DEBT EXPENSE. VIRTUA ESTIMATES IMPLICIT PRICE CONCESSIONS BY EVALUATING THE COLLECTABILITY OF PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, ANALYZING HISTORICAL DATA AND IDENTIFYING TRENDS FOR EACH OF ITS MAJOR PAYER SOURCES OF REVENUE.
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PART III, LINE 3:
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NOT APPLICABLE
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PART III, LINE 4:
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THE FOOTNOTE REGARDING BAD DEBT EXPENSE, OR IMPLICIT PRICE CONCESSIONS AS DEFINED BY ASU 2014-09, CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 15 OF THE ATTACHED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
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PART III, LINE 9B COLLECTION POLICY
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VIRTUA IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE COST OF HEALTH CARE CAN BE AN EXCESSIVE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR OUR UNINSURED PATIENTS. FOR OUR UNINSURED PATIENTS WHO WERE INELIGIBLE FOR STATE OR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE (E.G., HEALTHCARE FOR THE UNINSURED, CHARITY CARE, MEDICAID), THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF UNDER THE VIRTUA CHARITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IF YOU MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA, YOU CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION TO YOUR HOSPITAL BILL:YOU HAVE NO INSURANCE COVERAGE. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A 100% ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY CHARITY CARE PROGRAM. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM ANY THIRD PARTY (E.G., LAWSUIT, EMPLOYER, SCHOOL, CHURCH). THE GROSS ANNUAL INCOME FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS LESS THAN $211,900.THE HEALTH SYSTEM REGULARLY MONITORS ALL APPLICABLE POLICIES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH 501R REGULATIONS, AND HAS MADE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES.
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PART III, LINE 8 COMMUNITY BENEFIT SHORTFALL
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VIRTUA BELIEVES THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNIZE THE MEDICARE REVENUE SHORTFALL AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT. IT HAS BEEN WIDELY RECOGNIZED THAT MEDICARE PAYMENT RATES IN AGGREGATE HAVE BEEN SET AT A LEVEL THAT DOES NOT COVER THE TOTAL COST OF CARE. BY BEARING THE REIMBURSEMENT SHORTFALL RESULTING FROM THE BELOW COST MEDICARE PAYMENT LEVEL, VIRTUA AND OTHER HOSPITALS ARE ALLEVIATING THE GOVERNMENT'S BURDEN WHICH PROMOTES THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE FILED MEDICARE COST REPORT IS THE BASIS FOR THE ALLOWABLE COST REPORTED ON LINE 6.
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PART VI, LINE 2:
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DESCRIPTION OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT: VIRTUA HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY THE THREE COUNTIES THAT COMPRISE ITS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY: BURLINGTON COUNTY, CAMDEN COUNTY, AND GLOUCESTER COUNTY. INDIVIDUALLY THESE COUNTIES HAVE ASSESSED THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THEIR RESIDENTS, WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF THREE DISTINCT REPORTS: THE BURLINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THE CAMDEN COUNTY MOBILIZING FOR ACTION THROUGH PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIP (MAPP) COALITION COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND ACHIEVING A HEALTHIER GLOUCESTER COUNTY. BURLINGTON COUNTY HAS IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITIES EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, PEACE AND WELL-BEING INCLUDING ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE REDUCTION, AND PARENTING. CAMDEN COUNTY PRIORITIES INCLUDE OBESITY AND NUTRITION, CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH, CANCER, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH. IN THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY ASSESSMENT, PRIORITY AREAS INCLUDE INCREASING AWARENESS OF EXISTING SERVICES (HEALTH EDUCATION), ENCOURAGING REGULAR SCREENINGS AND CHECK-UPS (ESPECIALLY FOR HEART, CANCER, DIABETES, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES), AND PROMOTING HEALTHY BEHAVIORS (ESPECIALLY DIET AND EXERCISE). VIRTUA ALSO IS INVOLVED WITH THE CAMDEN CITY HEALTHY FUTURES COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS CONDUCTED A HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF THE CITY AND HAS PUT ACTION PLANS IN PLACE FOR EACH OF THE TOP HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED. PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN SET RELATIVE TO OBESITY (HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, AND STROKE), ACCESS TO CARE, THE HIGH CANCER MORTALITY RATE, MENTAL HEALTH, VIOLENCE AND SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (LEAD POISONING AND ASTHMA) AND FAMILY HEALTH (SPECIFICALLY TEEN PREGNANCY AND ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE). VIRTUA ALSO WORKS WITH THE CAMDEN COUNTY CANCER COALITION, A GROUP THAT HAS COMPLETED A CANCER NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE COUNTY. CAMDEN COUNTY'S MAJOR STRATEGY FOR ELIMINATING DISPARITIES IN CANCER CARE IS THE CANCER EDUCATION AND EARLY DETECTION (CEED) PROGRAMS. THERE ARE CEED PROGRAMS BASED AT VIRTUA AND THEY ARE THE FORCE BEHIND THE PLANS TO INCREASE MINORITY SCREENING RATES, INCREASE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING RATES, AND REDUCE SMOKING.VIRTUA PARTICIPATES ON DISASTER AND FLU PLANNING GROUPS IN BOTH BURLINGTON COUNTY AND CAMDEN COUNTY, AS WELL AS THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH PLANNING COMMITTEES. PART OF THE MISSION IS TO IDENTIFY AND DETERMINE HOW TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS. VIRTUA HAS IMPLEMENTED A RISK ASSESSMENT AND SCREENING PROCESS FOR ADMITTED HOSPITALIZED IN-PATIENTS WITH A MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT ORGANISM, BASED ON PREVALENCE STUDIES WITHIN THE HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY EVALUATION. THESE EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN PATIENT SCREENING AND ISOLATION PROTOCOLS. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND FORUMS, VIRTUA RECEIVES INPUT FROM ITS SERVICE AREA RELATIVE TO COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS. VIRTUA ALSO MONITORS COMMUNITY NEEDS SPECIFIC TO ITS SERVICE LINES AND IDENTIFIES AVAILABLE RESOURCES IT CAN CALL UPON TO ADDRESS THEM.THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) WAS CONDUCTED BY THE WALTER RAND INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-CAMDEN (WRI) ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH JERSEY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE (SJHC). THE SOUTH JERSEY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE CONSISTS OF COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE, JEFFERSON HEALTH, LOURDES HEALTH SYSTEM, AND VIRTUA HEALTH. TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF OBTAINING LOCALLY ACTIONABLE INFORMATION FOR IMPROVING HEALTH, THIS CHNA EMPLOYED A MIXED-METHODS ITERATIVE STRATEGY OF DATA COLLECTION THAT COMBINED QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY DATA COLLECTED FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS WITH QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SECONDARY DATA. THE TWO FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR APPROACH ARE RIGOROUS DATA ANALYSIS AND COMMUNITY VOICE. TO THAT END, WE USED A VARIETY OF METHODS AND TOOLS TO ANALYZE THE DATA WE COLLECTED BOTH FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHER SOURCES WE IDENTIFIED THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EACH THREE COUNTIES- CAMDEN, BURLINGTON AND GLOUCESTER. PRIMARY DATA IS CONSIDERED DATA COLLECTED AND ANALYZED BY THE WRI RESEARCH TEAM, AND SECONDARY DATA IS DATA COLLECTED BY OTHER ENTITIES AND ANALYZED BY WRI RESEARCH TEAM.
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PART VI, LINE 3:
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DESCRIPTION OF PATIENT EDUCATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE: THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS COMMUNICATED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY REGISTRATION STAFF AND IS COVERED IN FINANCIAL COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS. BROCHURES ARE DISTRIBUTED AND ALSO MADE AVAILABLE IN THE PATIENT/FAMILY WAITING AREAS. BILINGUAL SIGNAGE IS POSTED THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL, INCLUDING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND OUTPATIENT REGISTRATION AREAS. THE ADMISSION BOOKLET AND HANDOUTS PROVIDED AT REGISTRATION/ADMISSION CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE SHOULD THE PATIENT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN PAYING THEIR HOSPITAL BILL. AVAILABILITY OF CHARITY CARE ASSISTANCE IS ALSO INDICATED ON ALL STATEMENTS AND LETTERS SENT TO PATIENTS. VIRTUA'S WEBSITE CONTAINS INFORMATION ON CHARITY CARE ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION. THE HEALTH SYSTEM REGULARLY MONITORS ALL APPLICABLE POLICIES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH 501R REGULATIONS, AND HAS MADE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES.ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS, FINANCIAL COUNSELING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS THAT ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED. SUPPORT IS PROVIDED TO HELP PATIENTS COMPLETE RELEVANT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY CHARITY CARE PROGRAM GUIDELINES, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY MEDICAID PROGRAM, VIRTUA'S OWN CHARITY CARE PROGRAM, AND ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE FOR WHICH THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE. COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS IS CONDUCTED THROUGH BEDSIDE INTERVIEWS WITH ADMITTED PATIENTS, AND VIA LETTERS, PHONE CALLS, AND FIELD SERVICE VISITS TO PATIENT HOMES, WHEN APPROPRIATE. BILINGUAL STAFF ARE AVAILABLE ON-SITE AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE OVER THE PHONE.
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PART VI, LINE 4:
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THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) WAS CONDUCTED BY THE WALTER RAND INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-CAMDEN (WRI) ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH JERSEY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE (SJHC). THE SOUTH JERSEY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE CONSISTS OF COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE, JEFFERSON HEALTH, LOURDES HEALTH SYSTEM, AND VIRTUA HEALTH. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS ASSESSMENT, COMMUNITY IS DEFINED AS THE THREE COUNTIES THAT COMPRISE THE SJHC SERVICE AREAS (BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, AND GLOUCESTER COUNTIES).THE SJHC SERVICE AREA REPRESENTS A DIVERSE POPULATION. BURLINGTON AND GLOUCESTER COUNTIES ARE PRIMARILY WHITE COMMUNITIES WITH SIMILAR OR BETTER SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS COMPARED TO THE STATE. CAMDEN COUNTY IS THE MOST RACIALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE OF THE THREE COUNTIES, AND THE MOST IMPACTED BY POORER SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. ACROSS THE SJHC SERVICE AREA, DATA SHOWS THAT BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC/LATINO RESIDENTS ARE IMPACTED BY POORER SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTHY DISPARITY. POPULATION SNAPSHOTS-BURLINGTON COUNTY PRIMARILY WHITE, AND SLIGHTLY OLDER- 34% MINORITY POPULATION HIGHEST MEDIAN INCOME; LOWEST POVERTY RATES- 5.8% OF THE POPULATION IS BELOW THE POVERTY LINE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT 37.4% WITHOUT ACCESS TO A LARGE GROCERY STORE 1.5X THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS HIGHEST PROPORTION OF VETERANS-CAMDEN COUNTY MOST RACIALLY/ETHNICALLY DIVERSE- 44% MINORITY POPULATION- 2.5X MORE SPANISH SPEAKERS THAN BURLINGTON AND GLOUCESTER COUNTIES LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME; HIGHEST POVERTY RATES- 13% BELOW POVERTY, 8% UNINSURED, 11.5% ON FOOD STAMPS/SNAP, 5% WITHOUT CAR ACCESS- ONLY COUNTY WITH FOOD ENVIRONMENT INDEX SCORE (8.1) LOWER THAN STATE SCORE (9.3) HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LOWEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT GREATEST SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITY AMONG RACIAL/ETHNIC POPULATIONS- SMOKING RATE, POOR MENTAL HEALTH DAYS, AND ADULTS IN POOR/FAIR GENERAL HEALTH ALL HIGHER THAN STATE.- 1.5X THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS.-GLOUCESTER COUNTY SIMILAR ECONOMIC INDICATORS TO THE STATE PRIMARILY WHITE AND OLDEST POPULATION IN NJ- 22% MINORITY POPULATION SECOND LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME; LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY RATES THAN THE STATE- NEARLY 50% DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO LARGE GROCERY STORE- OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE 2X NATIONAL AVERAGE- 7.8% OF POPULATION IS BELOW FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL LEAST LIKELY TO ATTAIN HIGHER EDUCATION; MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
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PART VI, LINE 5:
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DESCRIPTION OF PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY: VIRTUA'S ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATION (ACO) OVERSEES SPECIFIC PATIENT POPULATIONS UNDER AGREEMENTS WITH MEDICARE AND MAJOR MANAGED CARE INSURERS IN ITS REGION. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ACO IS TO MANAGE THE HEALTH OF THE PATIENT POPULATIONS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM, ADVANCING PROPER MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND PROMOTING OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. DONE EFFECTIVELY, THESE WILL ALSO HAVE THE RELATED BENEFIT OF REDUCING THE COSTS OF HEALTHCARE. THE ACO'S SCOPE IS EXPECTED TO EXPAND MOVING FORWARD IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR WHICH VIRTUA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS.VIRTUA OFFERS TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS WHO QUALIFY BASED ON MEDICAL NEEDS, TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND/OR FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. VIRTUA PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY PATIENTS AS A PART OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT INITIATIVE UNDER THE "RIDE HEALTH PROGRAM". DURING 2019, VIRTUA PROVIDED 3,012 FREE RIDES TO NEEDY PATIENTS FOR THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND HOSPITAL DISCHARGES. VIRTUA'S CLINICIANS AND STAFF PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION TO THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT HUNDREDS OF EVENTS. INCLUDED WITHIN THESE ARE DIABETES SCREENING AND EDUCATION, FREE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, CANCER-SPECIFIC EDUCATION, PARAMEDIC SAFETY EDUCATION, FREE CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS, CLINICS FOR CHILDREN TO HELP DISPEL FEAR OF HOSPITALS, AND OTHER FREE CLASSES ATTENDED BY THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS. VIRTUA CLINICIANS ALSO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN MANY EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. VIRTUA IS ALSO AN ACTIVE SPONSOR IN MANY COMMUNITY WELLNESS EVENTS, SUCH AS FITNESS RUNS. THE MEMBERS OF VIRTUA'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, MANY OF WHICH HAVE SPENT MOST OR ALL OF THEIR LIVES RESIDING IN. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH VARYING PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING SOME PHYSICIANS. BECAUSE OF THEIR EXPERIENCES FROM LIVING IN THE HOSPITAL'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, THEY ARE TRUE ADVOCATES FOR THE COMMUNITY. VIRTUA HAS UTILIZED ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO INVEST IN PROJECTS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED HEALTH STATUS FOR ITS COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS VIRTUA INVESTED IN CONSTRUCTING A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART DIGITAL HOSPITAL AND OUTPATIENT CENTERS THAT PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN OPEN MEDICAL STAFF THAT WILL PROVIDE PRIVILEGES TO QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.VIRTUA HEALTH PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DIET AND CHRONIC DISEASE. VIRTUA HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO OUR MISSION TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES "BE WELL, GET WELL, AND STAY WELL". AS PART OF VIRTUA HEALTH'S MISSION, OUR GOAL IS TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND ENSURE GOOD NUTRITION IN THE UNDERSERVED AREAS OF CAMDEN AND BURLINGTON COUNTIES, WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FOOD DESERTS. FOOD DESERTS ARE THOSE AREAS DEFINED AS LACKING IN RELIABLE ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT, AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD.OUR PROGRAMS PROVIDE INTEGRATED INTERVENTIONS THROUGH THE FOOD AS MEDICINE FOOD PANTRY, MOBILE FARMERS MARKET (MFM), AND UPCOMING MOBILE GROCERY STORE. VIRTUA HEALTH ALSO PROVIDES WRAP-AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND NUTRITION LITERACY. IT IS OUR GOAL FOR THESE PROGRAMS TO HAVE A MEASURABLE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.VIRTUA'S FOOD PANTRY LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2018. SINCE THAT TIME, 136,000 POUNDS OF FOOD, INCLUDING FRESH PRODUCE AND STAPLE NON-PERISHABLES WERE DISTRIBUTED. VIRTUA'S MFM WAS LAUNCHED IN MAY 2017 AND HAS SINCE DISTRIBUTED 220,000 POUNDS OF HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCE. IN TOTAL, BOTH PROGRAMS HAVE SERVED 32,627 CUSTOMERS. SHOPPERS SERVED BY THE MFM REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN OBSTACLES TO OBTAINING FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. THEY ALSO DESCRIBED A 52% IMPROVEMENT IN THE DISTANCE TRAVELED TO GET FRESH PRODUCE AS WELL AS A 33% IMPROVEMENT IN THE AFFORDABILITY OF PRODUCE. THE MFM TYPICALLY PROVIDES ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF HEALTHY PRODUCE FOUR DAYS A WEEK, YEAR ROUND. THIS 23-FOOT BUS IS BRIMMING WITH FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT ARE SOLD AT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED PRICES IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT BURLINGTON AND CAMDEN COUNTIES. VIRTUA'S FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND MOST NUTRITIOUS PRODUCE FOR OUR PATIENTS AND CUSTOMERS. OUR PROGRAM DIETICIANS CURATE RECIPES AND OFFERINGS BASED ON CLIENT INPUT AND COMMUNITY VOICE, WHICH INCREASES OUR DIVERSITY IN VARIETY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY. DOING SO OFFERS NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE CLIENT WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR NUTRITION JOURNEY AND ENCOURAGE INCORPORATING NEW OR HEALTHY FOODS INTO THEIR DIET. THE 1:1 NUTRITION EDUCATION ENSURES ADVICE IS TAILORED TO THE CLIENT AND NOT ONLY INCREASES ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, BUT CREATES SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOR CHANGES THAT PROMOTE LIFE-LONG HEALTHY EATING PATTERNS.THE VIRTUA MOBILE FARM MARKET AND THE VIRTUA FOOD PANTRY ARE UPSTREAM COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS MANAGED BY THE VIRTUA COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE (CHI). CHI IS DEDICATED TO ERADICATING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE INSTITUTE IS COMPRISED OF A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH CARE, CLINICAL, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING TOGETHER, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY. PARTNERS INCLUDE THE FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY, CAMDEN COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, BURLINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, GLOUCESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE NJ CANCER EDUCATION AND EARLY DETECTION. VIRTUA ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH THE CAMDEN COALITION OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PARKSIDE BUSINESS COALITION IN PARTNERSHIP TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS. LASTLY, VIRTUA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, CONVENES MONTHLY COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS TO LEARN FROM RESIDENTS ON WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE, WHERE GAPS IN SERVICES EXIST, AND HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE GAPS.
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PART VI, LINE 6:
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DESCRIPTION OF PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES SERVED: VIRTUA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH JERSEY BE WELL, GET WELL, AND STAY WELL BY PROVIDING THE COMPLETE SPECTRUM OF ADVANCED, ACCESSIBLE, AND TRUSTED HEALTH CARE SERVICES. VIRTUA'S 14,000 COLLEAGUES PROVIDE TERTIARY CARE, INCLUDING A RENOWNED CARDIOLOGY PROGRAM, COMPLEMENTED BY A COMMUNITY-BASED CARE PORTFOLIO. IN ADDITION TO FIVE ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS, TWO SATELLITE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, AND MORE THAN 280 OTHER LOCATIONS, VIRTUA BRINGS HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTLY INTO COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOME HEALTH, REHABILITATION, MOBILE SCREENINGS, AND ITS PARAMEDIC PROGRAM. VIRTUA HAS 2,850 AFFILIATED DOCTORS AND OTHER CLINICIANS, AND ITS SPECIALTIES INCLUDE ORTHOPEDICS, ADVANCED SURGERY, AND MATERNITY. VIRTUA IS AFFILIATED WITH PENN MEDICINE FOR CANCER AND NEUROSCIENCE, AND THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA FOR PEDIATRICS. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, VIRTUA IS COMMITTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES INNOVATIVE OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS SOCIAL CHALLENGES AFFECTING HEALTH, FROM ADDICTION AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL ISSUES TO LACK OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND STABLE HOUSING. A MAGNET-RECOGNIZED HEALTH SYSTEM RANKED BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, VIRTUA HAS RECEIVED MANY AWARDS FOR QUALITY, SAFETY, AND ITS OUTSTANDING WORK ENVIRONMENT. THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND FUND PROGRAMS SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, UNDER THE PARENT COMPANY'S CENTRALIZED PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE STRUCTURE, INITIATIVES ARE UNDERTAKEN THAT HAVE IMPACT ACROSS ALL VIRTUA ENTITIES AND COMMUNITIES.
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PART VI, LINE 7
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THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DOES NOT REQUIRE FILING OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT.
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