Community Benefit Insight - Tax-exempt hospital

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South Shore Hospital Inc

South Shore Hospital

55 Fogg Road
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Bed count	284	Medicare provider number	220100	Member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals	NO	Children's hospital	NO

EIN: 042769210

Display data for year:

Community Benefit Spending- 2021
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)

8.02%

Spending by Community Benefit Category- 2021
(as % of total functional expenses)

* = CBI denoted preventative categories

Community Benefit Spending Compared to Functional Expenses, 2010-2021

Additional data

Community Benefit Expenditures: 2021

All tax-exempt organizations file a Form 990 with the IRS for every tax year. If the tax-exempt organization operates one or more hospital facilities during the tax year, the organization must attach a Schedule H to Form 990. On Part I of Schedule H, the organization records the expenditures it made during the tax year for various types of community benefits; 9 types are shown on this web tool. By default, this web tool presents community benefit expenditures as a percentage of the organization’s functional expenses, which it reports on Form 990, Part IX, Line 25, Column A. (The more commonly heard term, ‘total operating expenses’, which organizations report to CMS, is generally about 90% of the ‘functional expenses’). The user may change the default to see the dollar expenditures.
Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:

Financial Assistance at cost as % of operating expenses	$ 3,277,057 0.40 %
Medicaid as % of operating expenses	$ 27,895,486 3.36 %
Costs of other means-tested government programs as % of operating expenses	$ 4,645,099 0.56 %
Health professions education as % of operating expenses	$ 539,460 0.07 %
Subsidized health services as % of operating expenses	$ 29,250,138 3.53 %
Research as % of operating expenses	$ 208,373 0.03 %
Community health improvement services and community benefit operations* as % of operating expenses Note: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.	$ 678,605 0.08 %
Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit* as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Community building* as % of operating expenses	$ 3,842,942 0.46 %

* = CBI denoted preventative categories

Community building activities details:

Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities?	YES
Number of activities or programs (optional)	0
Physical improvements and housing	0
Economic development	0
Community support	0
Environmental improvements	0
Leadership development and training for community members	0
Coalition building	0
Community health improvement advocacy	0
Workforce development	0
Other	0
Persons served (optional)	0
Physical improvements and housing	0
Economic development	0
Community support	0
Environmental improvements	0
Leadership development and training for community members	0
Coalition building	0
Community health improvement advocacy	0
Workforce development	0
Other	0
Community building expense as % of operating expenses	$ 3,842,942 0.46 %
Physical improvements and housing as % of community building expenses	$ 0 0 %
Economic development as % of community building expenses	$ 0 0 %
Community support as % of community building expenses	$ 2,476,040 64.43 %
Environmental improvements as % of community building expenses	$ 0 0 %
Leadership development and training for community members as % of community building expenses	$ 0 0 %
Coalition building as % of community building expenses	$ 97,831 2.55 %
Community health improvement advocacy as % of community building expenses	$ 11,477 0.30 %
Workforce development as % of community building expenses	$ 671,869 17.48 %
Other as % of community building expenses	$ 585,725 15.24 %
Direct offsetting revenue	$ 5,774
Physical improvements and housing	$ 0
Economic development	$ 0
Community support	$ 0
Environmental improvements	$ 0
Leadership development and training for community members	$ 0
Coalition building	$ 0
Community health improvement advocacy	$ 0
Workforce development	$ 5,774
Other	$ 0

Other Useful Tax-exempt Hospital Information: 2021

In addition to community benefit and community building expenditures, the Schedule H worksheet includes sections on what percentage of bad debt can be attributable to patients eligible for financial assistance, and questions on the tax-exempt hospital's debt collection policy. When searching a specific tax-exempt hospital in this web tool, Section II provides information about bad debt and the financial assistance policy, and whether the state in which the tax-exempt hospital resides has expanded Medicaid coverage under the federal ACA.

Of the tax-exempt hospital’s overall operating expenses, amount reported as bad debt as % of operating expenses	$ 13,858,298 1.67 %
Is the tax-exempt hospital considered a "sole community hospital" under the Medicare program?	NO

Information about the tax-exempt hospital's Financial Assistance Policy and Debt Collection Policy
The Financial Assistance Policy section of Schedule H has changed over the years. The questions listed below reflect the questions on the 2009-2011 Schedule H forms and the answers tax-exempt hospitals provided for those years. The Financial Assistance Policy requirements were changed under the ACA. In the future, as the Community Benefit Insight web site is populated with 2022 data and subsequent years, the web tool will also be updated to reflect the new wording and requirements. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this section, we encourage you to contact your tax-exempt hospital directly.

Does the organization have a written financial assistance (charity care) policy?	YES
Did the tax-exempt hospital rely upon Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to determine when to provide free or discounted care for patients?	YES
Amount of the tax-exempt hospital’s bad debt (at cost) attributed to patients eligible under the organization’s financial assistance (charity care) policy as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %

Did the tax-exempt hospital, or an authorized third party, take any of the following collection activities before determining whether the patient was eligible for financial assistance:
Under the ACA, states have the choice to expand Medicaid eligibility for their residents up to 138% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Medicaid expansion provision of the ACA did not go into effect until January 2014, so data in this web tool will not reflect each state's current Medicaid eligibility threshold. For up to date information, please visit the Terms and Glossary under the Resources tab.
The federal poverty guidelines (FPG) are set by the government and used to determine eligibility for many federal financial assistance programs. Tax-exempt hospitals often use FPG guidelines in their Financial Assistance policies to determine which patients will qualify for free or discounted care.
In addition to the federal requirements, some states have laws stipulating community benefit requirements as a result of tax-exemption. The laws vary from state to state and may require the tax-exempt hospitals to submit community benefit reports. Data on this web tool captures whether or not a state had a mandatory community benefit reporting law as of 2011. For more information, please see Community Benefit State Law Profiles Comparison at The Hilltop Institute.

Community Health Needs Assessment Activities: 2021

The ACA requires all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt hospitals to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years, starting with the hospital's tax year beginning after March 23, 2012. The 2011 Schedule H included an optional section of questions on the CHNA process. This web tool includes responses for those hospitals voluntary reporting this information. The web tool will be updated to reflect changes in these questions on the 2012 and subsequent Schedule H forms.

Did the tax-exempt hospital report that they had conducted a CHNA?	YES
Did the CHNA define the community served by the tax-exempt hospital?	YES
Did the CHNA consider input from individuals that represent the broad interests of the community served by the tax-exempt hospital?	YES
Did the tax-exempt hospital make the CHNA widely available (i.e. post online)?	YES
Did the tax-exempt hospital adopt an implementation strategy to address the community needs identified by the CHNA?	YES

Supplemental Information: 2021

This section presents qualitative information submitted by the hospital, verbatim from the 990H record.

Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
Description of the organization's program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are required to report the amount of grants and allocations to others, the total expenses, and revenue, if any, for each program service reported.

4A (Expenses $ 625895064 including grants of $ 8500) (Revenue $ 744175799)
HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, GENERAL/OTHER: SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ACUTE CARE, REGIONAL HOSPITAL LICENSED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO OPERATE 374 ACUTE CARE BEDS (COMPOSED OF 269 MEDICAL/SURGICAL, 24 INTENSIVE CARE/CORONARY CARE, 53 LEVEL III MATERNAL/NEWBORN, 18 PEDIATRIC/YOUNG ADULT AND 10 NEONATAL), AND 67 BASSINETS (COMPOSED OF 20 LEVEL II SPECIAL CARE NURSERY BASSINETS AND 47 NEWBORN BASSINETS). THE HOSPITAL OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO MEET DIVERSE COMMUNITY NEEDS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY CARE, ACUTE CARE (INCLUDING MEDICAL, SURGICAL, OBSTETRICAL/GYNECOLOGICAL, PEDIATRICS, CARDIAC AND CANCER CARE), OUTPATIENT SERVICES (INCLUDING IMAGING, SURGICAL, REHABILITATION, WOUND AND SPECIALIZED ORTHOPEDIC CARE), HOME HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES FREE CARE TO THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY, SPONSORS FREE CANCER SCREENINGS, OTHER HEALTH SCREENINGS, VARIOUS SUPPORT GROUPS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION, WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND THE TRAINING OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND TECHNICIANS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, THE HOSPITAL HAD 29,619 DISCHARGES AND APPROXIMATELY 361,020 OUTPATIENT DAYS. THE HOSPITAL'S EMERGENCY CENTER IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, AND HAD 102,197 VISITS DURING THE YEAR. THE HOSPITAL'S HOME CARE DIVISION HELPS PEOPLE MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AT HOME. THE VISITING NURSES COORDINATE THE APPROPRIATE SPECIALISTS, SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR EACH PATIENT. OUR HOME CARE DIVISION PROVIDED OVER 141,214 HOME VISITS TO PATIENTS IN FY22.

Facility Information

Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: THE HOSPITAL DEVELOPED ITS CURRENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT BY HOLDING A WORKGROUP WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 31 COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. THE THIRTY-ONE PARTICIPANTS WERE DRAWN FROM A DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF INTERESTED PARTIES INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE OF OUR LOCAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND NEEDS. THE WORKGROUP WAS COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND HOSPITAL (INCLUDING THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION) AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS: ASPIRE, BAY STATE COMMUNITY SERVICES, CHNA 20 (BLUE HILLS COMMUNITY HEALTH ALLIANCE), BEST OF CARE, BOSTON CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, DOVE, FATHER BILLS & MAINSPRING, HEALTH IMPERATIVES, INTERFAITH SOCIAL SERVICES, MANET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, PAARI, QUINCY ASIAN RESOURCES, QUINCY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, QUINCY POLICE, TOWN OF RANDOLPH, SCITUATE FACTS, SOUTH SHORE ELDER SERVICES, SOUTH SHORE MANOR, WELLSPRING, TOWN OF WEYMOUTH, WOLLASTON SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH HEALTH CONNECTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS WORKGROUP, THE HOSPITAL REGULARLY COLLECTS DATA THROUGH MEETINGS WITH STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS, HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDERS, EMS, POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND OTHERS WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS' HEALTH NEEDS.

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL COLLABORATES WITH THREE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK AREAS. WE SUPPORT AND FUND COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES SPONSORED BY THE BLUE HILLS COMMUNITY HEALTH ALLIANCE (CHNA 20), SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN PREVENTION (CHNA 23) AND GREATER BROCKTON COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK AREA (CHNA 22).

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL IDENTIFIED MANY HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES THROUGH ITS ONGOING DATA COLLECTION AND THE CHNA WORKGROUP FILINGS. THESE ISSUES WERE FRAMED INTO FOUR PRIORITY STRATEGIC DOMAINS; MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CHRONIC & COMPLEX CONDITIONS AND THEIR RISK FACTORS, AND HEALTH LITERACY & COMMUNICATIONS. TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES FRAMED IN THESE FOUR DOMAINS, SSH PLANS TO DEVELOP OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR THOSE AT-RISK, PROVIDE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS SOCIAL ISOLATION, INCREASE ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS, PROVIDE NARCAN AND ASSOCIATED TRAINING IN COMMUNITY BASED SETTINGS, SUPPORT DRUG TAKE-BACK EFFORTS, ENHANCE CAREGIVER SUPPORT, ENHANCE ACCESS TO THOSE WHO FACE BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE, ENHANCE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, IMPROVE CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT THROUGH INCREASED SERVICES, ENHANCE INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN HOSPITALS, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL PROVIDERS, INCREASE HEALTH LITERACY BY DEVELOPING AND DISSEMINATING HEALTH RELATED INFORMATION THAT IS ACCURATE, ACCESSIBLE AND TRANSLATED, AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION.

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13H: OTHER FACTORS USED TO DETERMINE AMOUNTS CHARGED TO PATIENTS ARE ELIGIBILITY IN MEDICARE/MEDICAID PROGRAMS OR THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH'S HEALTH CONNECTOR.

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J: THE HOSPITAL'S POLICY IS ATTACHED TO BILLING INVOICES. ADDITIONALLY, THE HOSPITAL SUMMARIZES ITS POLICY THROUGHOUT ITS FACILITIES: IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND WAITING ROOMS, THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, FINANCIAL COUNSELORS' OFFICE AND THE BUSINESS OFFICE/PATIENT ACCOUNTING LOCATIONS. PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE ARE DIRECTED TO A FINANCIAL COUNSELOR WHO WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AS WELL AS RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH MASSHEALTH OR THE COMMONWEALTH'S HEALTH SAFETY NET.

SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL INC
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 20E: INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL MAY MEET WITH A FINANCIAL COUNSELOR TO LEARN ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AS PART OF THE PRE-ADMISSION PROCESS. IF THE HOSPITAL IS UNABLE TO NOTIFY A PATIENT OF ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY BEFORE OR DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS, A FINANCIAL COUNSELOR MAY MEET WITH THE PATIENT DURING HIS HOSPITAL STAY. COUNSELORS ASSIST UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFIED DURING THE NOTIFICATION/ELIGIBILITY PROCESS IN APPLYING FOR INSURANCE THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS'S HEALTH CONNECTOR PORTAL. COUNSELORS WORK WITH UNDERINSURED, MEDICALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS TO FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP PAY THEIR MEDICAL BILLS.

Supplemental Information

Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI

PART I, LINE 7:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL USES THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO FOR CALCULATING AMOUNTS IN THE TABLE FOR LINE 7. THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO IS TOTAL PATIENT CARE COSTS DIVIDED BY TOTAL PATIENT CARE CHARGES PER WORKSHEET S-10, LINE 1 OF THE MEDICARE COST REPORT. BAD DEBT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE TABLE.

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERTAKEN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. THE HOSPITAL PARTICIPATES IN OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES TO ASSESS HEALTH CARE NEEDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE COURTESY COACH AND MD ACCESS AND REFERRAL LINE HELP REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO CARE. SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, INFECTION CONTROL, AND CLINICAL AND MEDICAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ENSURE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE MET. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES SERVICES SUCH AS PASTORAL CARE TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

PART III, LINE 2:
THE HOSPITAL ANALYZES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BY MAJOR INSURANCE GROUP AND LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF BAD DEBT BY PAYOR. BAD DEBT IS CALCULATED ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS BASED ON THIS HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF UNCOLLECTIBLE AMOUNTS AND THE PERCENTAGE IS APPLIED TO AGED ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.

PART III, LINE 4:
UNCOMPENSATED CARE EXPENSE IN THE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS REPRESENTS THE HOSPITAL'S PAYMENTS TO THE STATEWIDE HEALTH SAFETY NET FUND (HSN)-- NET OF RECOVERIES FROM HSN FOR REIMBURSABLE BAD DEBTS.

PART III, LINE 8:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL PROVIDES A VALUABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT BY TREATING ALL INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL'S SERVICE AREA REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. ABOUT 7% OF PEOPLE IN OUR AREA LIVE NEAR OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. THESE INDIVIDUALS WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF OUR AREA OR POSSIBLY FORGO MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE SERVICES THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES. THE HOSPITAL USES THE MEDICARE 2552 REPORT FOR COSTS. THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL INCURRED BY SSH IS VIEWED AS LESSENING THE BURDEN OF GOVERNMENT AND THEREFORE PROVIDES A VALUABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

PART III, LINE 9B:
THE HOSPITAL DOES NOT BILL THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS (EXCEPT THAT THE HOSPITAL WILL BILL PATIENTS FOR ANY APPLICABLE CO-PAYMENTS OR DEDUCTIBLES REQUIRED BY A PARTICULAR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM): PATIENTS ENROLLED IN MASSHEALTH, PATIENTS RECEIVING GOVERNMENTAL BENEFITS UNDER THE EMERGENCY AID TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED CHILDREN PROGRAM AND IN THE HEALTHY START PROGRAM. ALSO, PARTICIPANTS IN THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SECURITY PLAN WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LIMIT (FPL) ARE EXEMPT FROM COLLECTION ACTION. LOW-INCOME PATIENTS, DETERMINED PURSUANT TO 114.6 CMR 13.04(2), ARE EXEMPT FROM COLLECTION ACTION FOR ANY ELIGIBLE SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR CO-PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE SERVICES UNDER 114.6 CMR 12.03(6)(B). LOW-INCOME PATIENTS DETERMINED PURSUANT TO 114.6 CMR 12.03(3)(B), WITHIN 150.1-300% OF THE FPL ARE EXEMPT FROM COLLECTION ACTION FOR THE PORTION OF THE PROVIDER BILL THAT EXCEEDS THE DEDUCTIBLE AND MAY BE BILLED FOR CO-PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES AS SET FORTH IN 114.6 CMR 13.04. SSH MAY BILL LOW-INCOME PATIENTS FOR SERVICES OTHER THAN ELIGIBLE SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE REQUEST OF THE PATIENT, AND FOR WHICH THE PATIENT HAS AGREED TO BE RESPONSIBLE, IF PROVIDERS RECEIVE THE PATIENT'S WRITTEN CONSENT TO BE BILLED FOR THE SERVICES. THE HOSPITAL WILL NOT UNDERTAKE COLLECTION ACTION AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS QUALIFIED FOR MEDICAL HARDSHIP WITH RESPECT TO THE AMOUNT OF THE BILL THAT EXCEEDS THE MEDICAL HARDSHIP CONTRIBUTION. SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL WILL NOT CONTINUE COLLECTION OR BILLINGS ON A PATIENT WHO IS A MEMBER OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS, EXCEPT TO SECURE ITS RIGHTS AS A CREDITOR IN THE APPROPRIATE ORDER. THE HOSPITAL MAY INITIATE BILLING FOR A PATIENT WHO CLAIMS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BUT FAILS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SATISFACTORY PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY, THE HOSPITAL SHALL CEASE ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITIES. THE HOSPITAL, OR ITS AGENTS, WILL NOT CHARGE INTEREST ON AN OVERDUE BALANCE FOR A LOW-INCOME PATIENT OR FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE LOW INCOME BASED ON THE HOSPITAL'S OWN INTERNAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

PART VI, LINE 2:
THE HOSPITAL'S MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 2021. THE CHNA WAS THE CULMINATION OF SSH'S EFFORTS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. IN ADDITION TO THE WORKGROUP FORMED TO ASSESS AND PRIORITIZE HEALTH NEEDS, THE HOSPITAL CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGES SYSTEM CLINICIANS AND LEADERS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, MEMBERS OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EMS PROVIDERS, POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE COLLECTION AND REVIEW OF DATA. SSH TRACKS AND STUDIES TRENDS IN OUR PATIENT POPULATION. WE REVIEW COMMUNITY HEALTH DATA PRIMARILY FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE U.S CENSUS BUREAU.

PART VI, LINE 4:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL SERVES AN AREA SOUTH OF BOSTON WITH A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 630,000. THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS CAUCASIAN (79.25%), FOLLOWED BY BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN (10.7%), ASIAN (7.4%) HISPANIC OR LATINO (5.2%) AND OTHER (1.2%). AFTER ENGLISH, THE NEXT MOST COMMON LANGUAGES THAT PATIENTS REPORTED SPEAKING AS A PRIMARY LANGUAGE ARE PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, VIETNAMESE, AND CHINESE.

PART VI, LINE 6:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL IS PART OF AN AFFILIATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. UNDER THE CONTROL OF ITS PARENT ORGANIZATION, SOUTH SHORE HEALTH SYSTEM (SSHS), AFFILIATES SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL, SOUTH SHORE PROPERTY, CONNECTED CARE OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, SOUTH SHORE HEALTH INTEGRATED DELIVERY NETWORK, INC. AND COASTAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATES (INCLUDING ITS SUBSIDIARIES SOUTH SHORE MEDICAL CENTER AND SOUTH SHORE HEALTH EXPRESS) COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
MA

PART VI, LINE 3:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL PROMINENTLY DISPLAYS ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION IN PUBLIC AREAS THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL. INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS. THE HOSPITAL POSTS ITS CREDIT AND COLLECTION POLICY, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY AND ITS ENTIRETY, ON ITS WEBSITE AND COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PLAN EXPLAINS HOW INDIVIDUALS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE HOSPITAL'S REDUCED FEE AND CHARITY CARE POLICIES. IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL'S INSURANCE COUNSELORS CAN EXPLAIN VARIOUS OPTIONS AND WILL HELP ANYONE WHO WANTS ASSISTANCE WITH HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH'S HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW. COUNSELORS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST PATIENTS DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS AND ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SIX DAYS A WEEK. IN ADDITION TO HELPING PATIENTS UNDERSTAND ELIGIBILITY FOR REDUCED OR FREE CARE, COUNSELORS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SERVICE AREA IN OBTAINING HEALTH INSURANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE PATIENTS OF THE HOSPITAL OR NOT.

PART VI, LINE 5:
SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES PASTORAL CARE TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN THE HOSPITAL'S SERVICE AREA MAY RECEIVE HELP IN FINDING AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE AND ARE ASSISTED IN FINDING MEDICAL CARE THROUGH OUR MD ACCESS AND REFERRAL PROGRAMS. THE HOSPITAL ELIMINATES BARRIERS TO CARE BY PROVIDING A COURTESY COACH TO ANY PATIENT NEEDING TRANSPORTATION TO OR FROM ITS FACILITIES. WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT IN SPECIALTIES THAT MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, AND TO PROVIDING OUR CLINICIANS WITH CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION. SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL HAS INVESTED IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER. THE HOSPITAL MAKES ITS MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS REPORTS AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL'S ACTIVE ROLE IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, PLEASE VISIT HTTPS://SOUTHSHOREHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-US/COMMUNITY-BENEFITS.

Operating expenses	$ 829,190,893
Total amount spent on community benefits as % of operating expenses	$ 66,494,218 8.02 %