benefi t 2009 community benefit as reported in 2009
community benefit as reported in Uncompensated Care (Charity Care and Bad Debt) ..... $14,908,079 Unpaid Costs ............................................................. $ 9,997,656 Outreach & Education ................................................. $ 8,554,493 Total .......................................................................... $33,460,228* *unaudited figure
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outreach & education
25.6% charity care unpaid costs
17.2%
29.9% 27.3% bad debt
TMC will report more than $33.4 million in community benefit and charity care for 2009. This is a $5 million increase over 2008 reporting. TMC utilizes the community benefit standards endorsed by the American Hospital Association. What makes up this number? Uncompensated care includes both charity care and bad debt. Charity care is free or discounted health services provided to people who can demonstrate that they do not have the means to pay the full cost of care and who meet the organization’s financial-asistance policy criteria. Bad debt consists of services for which the hospital anticipated but did not receive payment. Charity care and bad debt are reported in terms of costs, not charges. 23
For more information about TMC’s charity care policy, visit www.tmcaz.com. Nonprofit hospitals also report unpaid costs of public programs for low-income people – the shortfall created when a facility receives payments that are less than the cost of caring for public-program beneficiaries. Community benefit programs and activities provide treatment or promote health and healing as a response to identified community needs. These programs and activities help improve access to health care services, enhance the health of the community and advance medical knowledge.