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St Mary's Hospital

St Marys General Hospital
350 Boulevard
Passaic, NJ 07055
Bed count286Medicare provider number310006Member of the Council of Teaching HospitalsNOChildren's hospitalNO
EIN: 221494446
Display data for year:
Community Benefit Spending- 2014
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
1.82%
Spending by Community Benefit Category- 2014
(as % of total functional expenses)
* = CBI denoted preventative categories
Community Benefit Spending Compared to Functional Expenses, 2010-2014
Additional data

Community Benefit Expenditures: 2014

  • 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.

    • Operating expenses$ 88,233,144
      Total amount spent on community benefits
      as % of operating expenses
      $ 1,605,356
      1.82 %
  • Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
      • Financial Assistance at cost
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Medicaid
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 1,605,356
        1.82 %
        Costs of other means-tested government programs
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Health professions education
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Subsidized health services
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Research
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        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.
        $ 0
        0 %
        Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Community building*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
    • * = CBI denoted preventative categories
    • Community building activities details:
        • Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities?Not available
          Number of activities or programs (optional)0
          Physical improvements and housing0
          Economic development0
          Community support0
          Environmental improvements0
          Leadership development and training for community members0
          Coalition building0
          Community health improvement advocacy0
          Workforce development0
          Other0
          Persons served (optional)0
          Physical improvements and housing0
          Economic development0
          Community support0
          Environmental improvements0
          Leadership development and training for community members0
          Coalition building0
          Community health improvement advocacy0
          Workforce development0
          Other0
          Community building expense
          as % of operating expenses
          $ 0
          0 %
          Physical improvements and housing
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Economic development
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Community support
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Environmental improvements
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Leadership development and training for community members
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Coalition building
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Community health improvement advocacy
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Workforce development
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Other
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Direct offsetting revenue$ 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

    Other Useful Tax-exempt Hospital Information: 2014

    • 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
        $ 9,392,700
        10.65 %
        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:
      • Reported to credit agencyNot available
    • 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.

      • After enactment of the ACA, has the state in which this tax-exempt hospital is located expanded Medicaid?YES
    • 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.

      • If not, is the state's Medicaid threshold for working parents at or below 76% of the federal poverty guidelines?Not available
    • 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.

      • Does the state in which the tax-exempt hospital is located have a mandatory community benefit reporting statute?YES

    Community Health Needs Assessment Activities: 2014

    • 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: 2014

    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 $ 84953037 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 83190731)
      EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING VARIOUS MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR ABILITY TO PAY. PLEASE REFER TO THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT STATEMENT INCLUDED IN SCHEDULE O.
      Facility Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
      SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, QUESTION 5
      IN ORDER TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM PERSONS WHO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY, SEVERAL DISTINCT DATA GATHERING AND DATA ANALYSIS METHODS WERE USED INCLUDING: - A SURVEY OF RANDOMLY SELECTED SAMPLES OF BERGEN AND PASSAIC COUNTY RESIDENTS WAS CONDUCTED (AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND POLISH). - A SURVEY OF A GROUP OF KEY INFORMANTS WAS CONDUCTED. KEY INFORMANTS WERE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE OF THE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HEALTH SERVICES NEEDS OF BERGEN AND PASSAIC COUNTY. KEY INFORMANTS INCLUDED COUNTY OFFICIALS; HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDERS, ADVOCATES AND CONSUMERS. - A COMPARISON OF COUNTY, STATE, AND NATIONAL HEALTH STATISTICS WAS CARRIED OUT. - A DIRECTORY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES WAS COMPILED WITHIN THE PART OF THE NEWER PLAN. - MAPPING OF THE LOCATION OF THE IDENTIFIED SERVICES WAS COMPLETED. - A WEBSITE PRESENTING SERVICE SUPPLY DATA WAS DESIGNED. THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE AT ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL DEVELOPED THE SURVEY - IT CONTAINS ROUGHLY 111 QUESTIONS COVERING DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, MEDICAL HISTORY, DOCTOR AND DENTAL NEEDS INFORMATION, SOCIAL AND LIFESTYLE HISTORY AND QUESTIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICES. IT WAS DISTRIBUTED IN PAPER COPIES AND VIA ONLINE FORMAT.
      SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, QUESTION 7D
      THE HOSPITAL IS LOOKING TO INCLUDE THE CHNA ON ITS WEBSITE WHEN RESOUCES BECOME AVAILABLE TO POST THE REPORT.
      SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, QUESTION 8
      THE HOSPITAL WAS NOT ABLE TO ADDRESS ALL NEEDS DUE TO LIMITED RESOURCES AND THUS HAD TO PRIORITIZE WHICH ISSUES THE HOSPITAL WOULD FOCUS ON. AS A RESULT, DIABETES SCREENINGS AND EDUCATION SESSIONS WERE NOT ADDRESSED DURING 2013.
      SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, QUESTION 11
      As discussed above, the facility conducted a comprehensive assessment and a myriad of health needs were identified. Given limited resources, needs were prioritized with consideration of service array offered by the facility and ability to collaborate.
      SCH H,PART V,SECT B,Q'S 2,3J,6AB,13B,13H,15E,16I,18D,19D,20E,21C,21D,23,24
      NOT APPLICABLE.
      Supplemental Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
      SCHEDULE H, PART I; LINE 3C
      THE INCOME BASED CRITERIA USED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY IS PER NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 10:52 SUB CHAPTERS 11, 12 AND 13, AND BASED UPON THE 2013 POVERTY GUIDELINES (DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES). FPG ARE INCLUDED IN THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR CHARITY AND DISCOUNTED CARE.
      SCHEDULE H, PART I; QUESTION 6A
      NOT APPLICABLE.
      SCHEDULE H, PART I; QUESTION 7G
      NO COSTS RELATING TO SUBSIDIZED HEALTHCARE SERVICES ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PHYSICIAN CLINICS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART I, QUESTION 7
      THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25(A), BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $9,392,700.
      SCHEDULE H, PART II
      COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE FACILITY IMPROVE THE MEDICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITIES IN OUR CARE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A WIDE ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A; QUESTIONS 2, 3 & 4
      THE TOTAL CHARGES FOR EACH PATIENT WRITTEN OFF TO BAD DEBT IN 2014 WERE SUMMED. ACCOUNTS ARE INDIVIDUALLY ANALYZED FOR COLLECTABILITY; IN ADDITION, AN ALLOWANCE IS ESTIMATED FOR OTHER ACCOUNTS BASED ON HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE OF THE HOSPITAL. ACCOUNTS ARE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO COLLECT THE DEBT AND THE ACCOUNTS ARE RETURNED TO THE HOSPITAL FROM COLLECTION. BAD DEBT IS ASSUMED TO BE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL HAS ACCEPTED THIS LOSS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION B; QUESTION 8
      "MEDICARE COSTS WERE DERIVED FROM THE 2013 MEDICARE COST REPORT. MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENTS AND BAD DEBT ARE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ASSOCIATED COSTS ARE INCLUDABLE ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. THE ORGANIZATION FEELS THAT MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENTS (SHORTFALL) AND BAD DEBT ARE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ASSOCIATED COSTS ARE INCLUDABLE ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. AS OUTLINED MORE FULLY BELOW THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT THESE SERVICES AND RELATED COSTS PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND ARE RENDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES AND MISSION IN PROVIDING MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUAL'S IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR ABILITY TO PAY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD PROMULGATED BY THE IRS. THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD IS THE CURRENT STANDARD FOR A HOSPITAL FOR RECOGNITION AS A TAX-EXEMPT AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (""IRC"") 501(C)(3). THE ORGANIZATION IS RECOGNIZED AS A TAX-EXEMPT ENTITY AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION UNDER 501(C)(3) OF THE IRC. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO DEFINITION IN THE TAX CODE FOR THE TERM ""CHARITABLE"" A REGULATION PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PROVIDES SOME GUIDANCE AND STATES THAT ""[T]HE TERM CHARITABLE IS USED IN 501(C)(3) IN ITS GENERALLY ACCEPTED LEGAL SENSE,"" AND PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES, INCLUDING THE RELIEF OF THE POOR OR UNPRIVILEGED; THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE; AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, RELIGION, AND SCIENCE. NOTE IT DOES NOT EXPLICITLY ADDRESS THE ACTIVITIES OF HOSPITALS. IN THE ABSENCE OF EXPLICIT STATUTORY OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS APPLYING THE TERM ""CHARITABLE"" TO HOSPITALS, IT HAS BEEN LEFT TO THE IRS TO DETERMINE THE CRITERIA HOSPITALS MUST MEET TO QUALIFY AS IRC 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORIGINAL STANDARD WAS KNOWN AS THE CHARITY CARE STANDARD. THIS STANDARD WAS REPLACED BY THE IRS WITH THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD WHICH IS THE CURRENT STANDARD. CHARITY CARE STANDARD IN 1956, THE IRS ISSUED REVENUE RULING 56-185, WHICH ADDRESSED THE REQUIREMENTS HOSPITALS NEEDED TO MEET IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR IRC 501(C)(3) STATUS. ONE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IS KNOWN AS THE ""CHARITY CARE STANDARD."" UNDER THE STANDARD, A HOSPITAL HAD TO PROVIDE, TO THE EXTENT OF ITS FINANCIAL ABILITY, FREE OR REDUCED-COST CARE TO PATIENTS UNABLE TO PAY FOR IT. A HOSPITAL THAT EXPECTED FULL PAYMENT DID NOT, ACCORDING TO THE RULING, PROVIDE CHARITY CARE BASED ON THE FACT THAT SOME PATIENTS ULTIMATELY FAILED TO PAY. THE RULING EMPHASIZED THAT A LOW LEVEL OF CHARITY CARE DID NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT A HOSPITAL HAD FAILED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT SINCE THAT LEVEL COULD REFLECT ITS FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PROVIDE SUCH CARE. THE RULING ALSO NOTED THAT PUBLICLY SUPPORTED COMMUNITY HOSPITALS WOULD NORMALLY QUALIFY AS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE THEY SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND A LOW LEVEL OF CHARITY CARE WOULD NOT AFFECT A HOSPITAL'S EXEMPT STATUS IF IT WAS DUE TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY'S LACK OF CHARITABLE DEMANDS. COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD IN 1969, THE IRS ISSUED REVENUE RULING 69-545, WHICH ""REMOVE[D]"" FROM REVENUE RULING 56-185 ""THE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CARING FOR PATIENTS WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT RATES BELOW COST."" UNDER THE STANDARD DEVELOPED IN REVENUE RULING 69-545, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE ""COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD,"" HOSPITALS ARE JUDGED ON WHETHER THEY PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF A BROAD CLASS OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE RULING INVOLVED A HOSPITAL THAT ONLY ADMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD PAY FOR THE SERVICES (BY THEMSELVES, PRIVATE INSURANCE, OR PUBLIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS MEDICARE), BUT OPERATED A FULL-TIME EMERGENCY ROOM THAT WAS OPEN TO EVERYONE. THE IRS RULED THAT THE HOSPITAL QUALIFIED AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT PROMOTED THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE IN ITS COMMUNITY. THE IRS REASONED THAT BECAUSE THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH WAS A CHARITABLE PURPOSE ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL LAW OF CHARITY, IT FELL WITHIN THE ""GENERALLY ACCEPTED LEGAL SENSE"" OF THE TERM ""CHARITABLE,"" AS REQUIRED BY TREAS. REG. 1.501(C)(3)-1(D)(2). THE IRS RULING STATED THAT THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH, LIKE THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND RELIGION, IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES IN THE GENERAL LAW OF CHARITY THAT IS DEEMED BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE EVEN THOUGH THE CLASS OF BENEFICIARIES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A DIRECT BENEFIT FROM ITS ACTIVITIES DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS INDIGENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDED THAT THE CLASS IS NOT SO SMALL THAT ITS RELIEF IS NOT OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY. THE IRS CONCLUDED THAT THE HOSPITAL WAS ""PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF A CLASS OF PERSONS THAT IS BROAD ENOUGH TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY"" BECAUSE ITS EMERGENCY ROOM WAS OPEN TO ALL AND IT PROVIDED CARE TO EVERYONE WHO COULD PAY, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOSPITAL THAT THE IRS HIGHLIGHTED INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: ITS SURPLUS FUNDS WERE USED TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE, EXPAND HOSPITAL FACILITIES, AND ADVANCE MEDICAL TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH; IT WAS CONTROLLED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT CONSISTED OF INDEPENDENT CIVIC LEADERS; AND HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES WERE AVAILABLE TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS. MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENTS AND BAD DEBT ARE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ASSOCIATED COSTS ARE INCLUDABLE ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (""AHA"") FEELS THAT MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENTS (SHORTFALL) AND BAD DEBT ARE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND THUS INCLUDABLE ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. THIS ORGANIZATION AGREES WITH THE AHA POSITION. AS OUTLINED IN THE AHA LETTER TO THE IRS DATED AUGUST 21, 2007 WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST PUBLISHED DRAFT OF THE NEW FORM 990 AND SCHEDULE H, THE AHA FELT THAT THE IRS SHOULD INCORPORATE THE FULL VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE BY COUNTING MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENTS (SHORTFALL) AS QUANTIFIABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: - PROVIDING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND SERVING MEDICARE PATIENTS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD. - MEDICARE, LIKE MEDICAID, DOES NOT PAY THE FULL COST OF CARE. RECENTLY, MEDICARE REIMBURSES HOSPITALS ONLY 92 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR THEY SPEND TO TAKE CARE OF MEDICARE PATIENTS. THE MEDICARE PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (""MEDPAC"") IN ITS MARCH 2007 REPORT TO CONGRESS CAUTIONED THAT UNDERPAYMENT WILL GET EVEN WORSE, WITH MARGINS REACHING A 10-YEAR LOW AT NEGATIVE 5.4 PERCENT. - MANY MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES, LIKE THEIR MEDICAID COUNTERPARTS, ARE POOR. MORE THAN 46 PERCENT OF MEDICARE SPENDING IS FOR BENEFICIARIES WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW 200 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. MANY OF THOSE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID -- SO CALLED ""DUAL ELIGIBLES."" THERE IS EVERY COMPELLING PUBLIC POLICY REASON TO TREAT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID UNDERPAYMENTS SIMILARLY FOR PURPOSES OF A HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND INCLUDE THESE COSTS ON FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENT MUST BE SHOULDERED BY THE HOSPITAL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TREATING THE COMMUNITY'S ELDERLY AND POOR. THESE UNDERPAYMENTS REPRESENT A REAL COST OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND SHOULD COUNT AS A QUANTIFIABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT. BOTH THE AHA AND THIS ORGANIZATION ALSO FEEL THAT PATIENT BAD DEBT IS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND THUS INCLUDABLE ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I. LIKE MEDICARE UNDERPAYMENT (SHORTFALLS), THERE ALSO ARE COMPELLING REASONS THAT PATIENT BAD DEBT SHOULD BE COUNTED AS QUANTIFIABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AS FOLLOWS: - A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF BAD DEBT IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO LOW-INCOME PATIENTS, WHO, FOR MANY REASONS, DECLINE TO COMPLETE THE FORMS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY FOR HOSPITALS' CHARITY CARE OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. A 2006 CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE (""CBO"") REPORT, NONPROFIT HOSPITALS AND THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, CITED TWO STUDIES INDICATING THAT ""THE GREAT MAJORITY OF BAD DEBT WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS WITH INCOMES BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE."" - THE REPORT ALSO NOTED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF BAD DEBT IS PENDING CHARITY CARE. UNLIKE BAD DEBT IN OTHER INDUSTRIES, HOSPITAL BAD DEBT IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT HOSPITALS FOLLOW THEIR MISSION TO THE COMMUNITY AND TREAT EVERY PATIENT THAT COMES THROUGH THEIR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. PATIENTS WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING BILLS ARE NOT TURNED AWAY, UNLIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES. BAD DEBT IS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE AUDITING INDUSTRY'S STANDARDS ON REPORTING CHARITY CARE. MANY PATIENTS CANNOT OR DO NOT PROVIDE THE NECESSARY, EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO BE DEEMED CHARITY CARE BY AUDITORS. AS A RESULT, ROUGHLY 40% OF BAD DEBT IS PENDING CHARITY CARE. - THE CBO CONCLUDED THAT ITS FINDINGS ""SUPPORT THE VALIDITY OF THE USE OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE [BAD DEBT AND CHARITY CARE] AS A MEASURE OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS"" ASSUMING THE FINDINGS ARE GENERALIZABLE NATIONWIDE; THE EXPE"
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION B; QUESTION 9B
      THE HOSPITALS COLLECTION POLICY CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE. ALL PATIENTS ARE SCREENED FOR FEDERAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND NJ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 2
      FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT AS REQUIRED BY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THE MOST RECENT ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED IN 2012 AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED WITH A PAPER SURVEY AND SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS AT: SENIOR CENTERS, CHURCH GROUPS, AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE DO ONE ON ONE INQUIRIES AS WE GO ALONG. WE ALSO HAVE STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH THE FEDERAL QUALIFIED CLINICS ON 8TH STREET, GARFIELD, AND MAIN STREET - THEY TOO HELP US TO MONITOR COMMUNITY NEEDS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 3
      OUTREACH WORKERS EDUCATE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE EXPLAINING ANY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THEM. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL THEN CONNECT THEM TO THE HOSPITAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ADVISORS WHO PROVIDE THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. THE POLICY IS ALSO POSTED THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING EMERGENCY ROOMS, NOTED ON ALL PATIENTS BILLS AND AVAILABLE TO ALL PATIENTS UPON REQUEST.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 4
      THE HOSPITAL SERVES PASSAIC, CLIFTON, WALLINGTON, LYNDHURST, RUTHERFORD, EAST RUTHERFORD, CARLSTADT, AND LODI, NEW JERSEY. THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS CONSIDERED LOW-INCOME. APPROXIMATELY 13.6% OF FAMILIES IN PASSAIC COUNTY ARE BELOW THE FAMILY POVERTY LEVELS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 5
      ST. MARYS HOSPITAL HAS CONSISTENTLY WORKED IN PASSAIC AND ITS SURROUNDING TOWNS IN DESCRIBING PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND IN OFFERING FREE HEALTHCARE SCREENINGS. IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL CONDUCTS FOOD DRIVES AND PROVIDES CLOTHING AND GENERAL CARE FOR MANY LOW INCOME FAMILIES. SMH COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENGAGES A COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL AND COUNTY HEALTH SERVICE AGENCIES. THIS GROUP SEEKS FUNDING /GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. ANY SURPLUS FUNDS ARE REINVESTED IN THE CAPITAL OF THE HOSPITAL, USED FOR TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES FOR THE LATEST MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND HELD FOR FUTURE USES FOR CARE OF THE INDIGENT. USES FOR CARE OF THE INDIGENT.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 6
      THE HOSPITAL IS NOT PART OF A HEALTH SYSTEM BUT COLLABORATES WITH OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI; QUESTION 7
      NOT APPLICABLE. THE ORGANIZATION IS LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY. NO COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS FILED WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.