4A (Expenses $ 83571847 including grants of $ 2961) (Revenue $ 99424801)
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. IS A 89-BED HOSPITAL CAMPUS PROVIDING SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO PATIENT RACE, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ECONOMIC STATUS, OR ABILITY TO PAY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. TREATED 3,063 ADULTS AND CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 13,400 PATIENT DAYS OF SERVICE. THE HOSPITAL ALSO PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 161,115 OUTPATIENT VISITS, WHICH INCLUDED 2,546 OUTPATIENT SURGERIES AND 19,929 EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS. SEE SCHEDULE H FOR A NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND DESCRIPTIONS. As part of the Ascension Catholic health ministry, the filing organization served in support of Ascension's commitment to both care for patients and communities and support caregivers and other associates through the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic in FY22.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 3E
TO BETTER TARGET COMMUNITY RESOURCES ON THE SERVICE AREA'S MOST PRESSING HEALTH NEEDS, THE HOSPITAL PARTICIPATED IN A GROUP DISCUSSION WITH ORGANIZATIONAL DECISION MAKERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE THE SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS WHILE CONSIDERING SEVERAL CRITERIA: ALIGNMENT WITH ASCENSION HEALTH STRATEGIES OF HEALTHCARE THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND; CARE FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE; OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP; AVAILABILITY OF EXISTING PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES; ADDRESSING DISPARITIES OF SUBGROUPS; AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES; AND COMMUNITY INPUT. THE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS ARE A PRIORITIZED DESCRIPTION OF THE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE CHNA. SEE SCHEDULE H, PART V, LINE 7 FOR THE LINK TO THE CHNA AND SCHEDULE H, PART V, LINE 11 FOR HOW THOSE NEEDS ARE BEING ADDRESSED.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 5 Facility , 1
Facility , 1 - ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG. IN ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S MOST RECENT CHNA, COMMUNITY INPUT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS WHICH WERE CONDUCTED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 13, 2021, AND OCTOBER 1, 2021. TWENTY-ONE (21) INDIVIDUALS FROM 15 ORGANIZATIONS (SOME INTERVIEWEES REPRESENTED DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OR AREAS OF THE SAME ORGANIZATION) AGREED TO PARTICIPATE. TWO PERSONS EACH PARTICIPATED IN TWO OF THE INTERVIEWS. THUS, A TOTAL OF 23 PERSONS PARTICIPATED IN INTERVIEWS FOR CRAWFORD COUNTY. SECTORS REPRESENTED BY PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSISTED IN PROVIDING INPUT INCLUDED: CRAWFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS, THE FAMILY CENTER, PITTSBURG CITY HALL, SOUTHEAST KANSAS AREA AGENCY ON AGING, OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH, UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #250, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL IN PITTSBURG, GREENBUSH, AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM COMMUNITY ACTION. THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY POPULATIONS REPRESENTED THROUGH THESE METHODS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE: BLACK, INDEGENIOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR; IMMIGRANT; CHILDREN AND ELDERLY; HOMELESS AND HOUSING INSECURE; LGBTQ+, FOOD INSECURE, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 6b Facility , 1
Facility , 1 - ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG. A CHNA ADVISORY COUNCIL WAS ESTABLISHED WITH KEY COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING LIVE WELL CRAWFORD COUNTY, CRAWFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS, CRAWFORD COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, AND THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS TO HELP GUIDE THE CHNA PROCESS, DEVELOPED A LIST OF KEY INFORMANTS TO INTERVIEW, AND PROVIDED THEIR EXPERTISE AND INSIGHT INTO THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 11 Facility , 1
Facility , 1 - ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG - PART 1. IN ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S MOST RECENT CHNA, THE FOLLOWING WERE IDENTIFIED AS SIGNIFICANT NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY: ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SUBSTANCE ABUSE DIABETES/OBESITY CANCER THE FY2020-2022 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SERVICES, DIABETES/OBESITY SERVICES, AND EDUCATION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI'S PRIORITIES FOR 2022 INCLUDED PROVIDING EDUCATION IN SUPPORT OF AND ADVOCATING FOR AN INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED FOR GREATER ACCESS TO CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS MEDICAID EXPANSION, EXPANDING ACCESS TO TELEMEDICINE, PROTECTING PATIENT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICATIONS PROVIDED THROUGH 340B, AND PROVIDING EDUCATION ON THE NEED FOR EXTENDING THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PAST JANUARY 21, 2022. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI'S EFFORTS ALSO INCLUDED INVOLVEMENT IN EFFORTS TO GAIN GREATER UNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE ABILITY OF OUR STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI SUCCESSFULLY COMMUNICATED A CRITICAL NEED IDENTIFIED IN THE MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS FOR INCREASED PROGRAMS, PROVIDERS, AND AVAILABILITY TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE, PROVIDING EDUCATION REGARDING THE NEED TO EXPAND REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH BED ACCESS IN THE SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS REGION. FURTHERMORE, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY. ALSO IN THIS AREA, THE STATE OF KANSAS RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM CMS OF A CHANGE IN THE HEALTH CARE ACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HCAIP) ASSESSMENT RATE TO HOSPITALS WHICH ALLOWS THE STATE TO DRAW DOWN FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS TO SUPPORT MEDICAID (KANCARE) REIMBURSEMENT RATES TO PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS. FINANCIAL COUNSELORS SCREEN PATIENTS FOR STATE PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS ADDING BABIES TO MEDICAID, DISABILITY CASES, TAF, MAPLE, SOBRA, CRIME VICTIMS, AND OTHER TYPES OF PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND ASSISTS PATIENTS WITH APPLICATION COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION. IN FY 2022, 2,072 INDIVIDUALS WERE ENROLLED IN PUBLIC BENEFITS THROUGH ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG FINANCIAL COUNSELORS. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG CONTINUES TO PROVIDE CAREVAN TRANSPORTS THROUGHOUT CRAWFORD COUNTY TO THE POOR, FRAIL ELDERLY, PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED, AND VULNERABLE RURAL POPULATIONS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. IN FY 2022, 1,500 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED THROUGH THIS ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG SERVICE. THE CAREVAN PROVIDES A SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS WITHIN A 30 MILE RADIUS AROUND PITTSBURG, KS. DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED BUT ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S PHARMACY WILL REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO OBTAIN FREE CHEMOTHERAPY MEDICATIONS FOR POOR AND LOW-INCOME CANCER PATIENTS THAT COULD OTHERWISE NOT AFFORD THEIR MEDICATIONS. IN FY 2022, 50 INDIVIDUALS WERE PROVIDED FREE MEDICATION VIA ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S EFFORTS. FORT SCOTT EMERGENCY SERVICES - WHILE NOT PART OF THE FEEDBACK OF THE CHNA OR THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG RESPONDED TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IN FORT SCOTT AFTER A SUDDEN CHANGE IN HEALTHCARE RESOURCES. AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG ESTABLISHED A 24/7 ED IN FORT SCOTT, KS IN RESPONSE TO A NEED PRESENTED BY THE CLOSURE OF MERCY HOSPITAL AT THE END OF 2018. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI COMMITTED TO OPERATE AND MANAGE THE ER FOR TWO YEARS WHILE CITY LEADERS LOOKED FOR A BUYER FOR THE EXISTING HOSPITAL OR MADE PLANS FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION. IN FY 2022, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG PROVIDED OVER $1.3 MILLION IN SUBSIDIZED SERVICES TO PROVIDE A FULLY STAFFED ER, AS WELL AS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND LABORATORY SERVICES. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG PARTNERS WITH THE COMMUNITY (E.G. PITTSBURG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, CRAWFORD COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT, LIVE WELL COALITION, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND OTHERS) TO FIND MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH WELLBEING BY INCREASING AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AGING, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS ALSO PROVIDE PASTORAL OUTREACH COUNSELING AND FUNERAL SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO LOW-INCOME AND VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS. THE CHAPLAIN SUPPORTED EIGHT FUNERAL SERVICES IN FY 2022. CHAPLAINS ALSO PARTICPATED IN A PANELIST DISCUSSION AROUND BREAKING THE CHAINS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AT PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY IN FY 2022. SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THROUGH THE ABUSE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL SUBSTANCES AND TO REDUCE ELECTRONIC TOBACCO USAGE AMONG TEENS (INCLUDING VAPING). ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CRAWFORD COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO GET EACH INDIVIDUAL BROUGHT TO THE ER STABILIZED AND APPROPRIATELY ADMITTED SO THAT THEY CAN BE HELPED WITH THEIR ADDICTION, INCLUDING PROVIDING SECURE TRANSPORTATION WHEN NEEDED. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG CONTINUES TO SERVE ON LOCAL COMMITTEES AND COALITIONS (E.G. LIVING WELL, BREATHING WELL, ETC) TO IMPROVE INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO DECREASE SUBSTANCE ABUSE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. DIABETES/OBESITY ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DIABETES EDUCATOR WORKED TO EXPAND AND RECRUIT FOR THE DIABETES PROGRAM IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE THREE YEAR CHNA AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY CYCLE. THE PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED IN THE SECOND YEAR BECAUSE COVID AND THE DIABETES EDUCATOR LEFT ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG. A REPLACEMENT WAS HIRED BUT DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DIABETES AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS BUT NOT THE BROADER COMMUNITY. CANCER EDUCATION AS A UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS' MIDWEST CANCER ALLIANCE AFFILIATE, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG CONTINUED TO OFFER CANCER EDUCATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND DURING COMMUNITY EVENTS. MOST OF THE FY 2022 EDUCATION FOCUSED ON CANCER EDUCATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND SEVERAL TELEVISION INTERVIEWS REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HOSPITAL'S CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT AREA AND NEW LINEAR ACCELERATOR. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG ALSO CONDUCTED VIRTUAL TUMOR CONFERENCES. THE HOSPITAL WAS ABLE TO START LARGER IN-PERSON QUARTERLY TUMOR CONFERENCES. THROUGH THE MT. CARMEL FOUNDATION, THE HOSPITAL WAS ABLE TO CONDUCT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING FOR THE HOSPITAL'S CANCER CENTER PATIENTS IN OCTOBER AND MAY. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH BY DIRECTLY, AND INDIRECTLY, ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG WORKED TO ADDRESS ALL THE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS OUTLINED IN THE CHNA.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 11 Facility , 2
Facility , 2 - ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG - PART 2. TOWARDS THE END OF FY 2022, A NEW CHNA WAS APPROVED BY ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG'S GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE 2023-2025 FISCAL YEARS. THE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS FOR CRAWFORD COUNTY INCLUDED: ACCESS TO CARE, HEALTH EQUITY, FOOD INSECURITY, ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE, DIET AND EXERCISE, AND HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG LEADERSHIP HAS SELECTED ACCESS TO CARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND FOOD INSECURITY AS THE PRIORITIZED NEEDS THAT THE HOSPITAL PLANS TO ADDRESS IN THE 2023-2025 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY. THE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS THAT ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT PLAN TO ADDRESS AT THIS TIME INCLUDE: HOUSING ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT SPECIALIZE NOR HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE MULTI-FACTORIAL HOUSING ISSUES. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG EXECUTIVES DO PARTICIPATE IN MANY COMMUNITY COALITIONS AND BOARDS TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH SUCH AS HOUSING ISSUES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER TO ADDRESS THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE THIS NEED WAS NOT SELECTED BECAUSE THERE IS AN OVERALL SHORTAGE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY OR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. HEALTH EQUITY THIS NEED WAS NOT SELECTED SINCE HEALTH EQUITY IS A PART OF A DEEPER SYSTEMIC ISSUE THAT ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE OR RESOURCES TO ADDRESS WITHIN THE BROADER COMMUNITY. OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE THE INTELLECTUAL AND RESOURCE CAPABILITIES TO ADDRESS HEALTH EQUITY WITHIN THE BROADER COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, THE HEALTH SYSTEM IS COMMITTED TO TRAIN ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LIVE LONG, HEALTHY LIVES. DIET AND EXERCISE ALTHOUGH ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG PROVIDES DIET AND EXERCISE PROGRAMS TO PATIENTS BASED ON DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANS, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG DOES NOT HAVE PROGRAMS FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY. MANY OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND HEALTH CENTERS PROVIDE PROGRAMS (E.G., DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM) FOR THE GENERAL COMMUNITY.

Schedule H, Part I, Line 3c FACTORS OTHER THAN FPG
"IN ADDITION TO FPG, THE ORGANIZATION USES MEDICAL INDIGENCY, ASSET TEST, INSURANCE STATUS AND RESIDENCY AS OTHER FACTORS IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE. A Patient may not be eligible for the financial assistance if such Patient is deemed to have sufficient assets to pay pursuant to an ""Asset Test."" The Asset Test involves a substantive assessment of a Patient's ability to pay based on the categories of assets measured in the FAP Application. A Patient with such assets that exceed 250% of such Patient's FPL amount may not be eligible for financial assistance. AN ASSET TEST APPLIES IF A PATIENT HAS ELIGIBLE LIQUID ASSETS THAT EXCEED 250% OF THE PATIENT'S FPG LEVEL FOR CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY. LIQUID ASSETS INCLUDE ASSETS THAT CAN BE CONVERTED TO CASH WITHIN 1 YEAR. THESE INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS CHECKING ACCOUNTS, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, TRUST FUNDS AND LUXURY ITEMS SUCH AS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS, A SECOND HOME, ETC."

Schedule H, Part I, Line 5a BUDGET AMOUNTS FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE
THE ORGANIZATION ADMINISTERS ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE POLICY.

Schedule H, Part I, Line 6a Community benefit report prepared by related organization
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HEALTH, INC. EIN: 48-1172107

Schedule H, Part I, Line 7g Subsidized Health Services
SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES - NET LOSSES BY ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITALS PITTSBURG, INC. INCLUDED A FREESTANDING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Schedule H, Part I, Line 7 Costing Methodology used to calculate financial assistance
"THE COST OF PROVIDING CHARITY CARE, MEANS-TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS IS ESTIMATED USING INTERNAL COST DATA, AND IS CALCULATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (""CHA"") GUIDELINES. THE ORGANIZATION USES A COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM THAT ADDRESSES ALL PATIENT SEGMENTS (FOR EXAMPLE, INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, EMERGENCY ROOM, PRIVATE INSURANCE, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, UNINSURED, OR SELF PAY). THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE TABLE. FOR THE INFORMATION IN THE TABLE, A COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO WAS CALCULATED AND APPLIED."

Schedule H, Part II Community Building Activities
NOT APPLICABLE AS ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN FY 2022.

Schedule H, Part III, Line 2 Bad debt expense - methodology used to estimate amount
AFTER SATISFACTION OF AMOUNTS DUE FROM INSURANCE AND REASONABLE EFFORTS TO COLLECT FROM THE PATIENT HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE CORPORATION FOLLOWS ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR PLACING CERTAIN PAST-DUE PATIENT BALANCES WITHIN COLLECTION AGENCIES, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON COLLECTION EFFORTS AS DETERMINED BY ASCENSION HEALTH. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE WRITTEN OFF AFTER COLLECTION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CORPORATION'S POLICIES. AFTER APPLYING THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO, THE SHARE OF THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 WAS $8,908,791 AT CHARGES, ($3,230,203 AT COST).

Schedule H, Part III, Line 3 Bad Debt Expense Methodology
BASED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S ADMINISTRATION OF ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, NO ESTIMATE FOR BAD DEBT ATTRIBUTABLE TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBLE PATIENTS IS DEEMED APPLICABLE TO HOSPITAL OPERATIONS.

Schedule H, Part III, Line 4 Bad debt expense - financial statement footnote
THE ORGANIZATION IS PART OFASCENSION HEALTH ALLIANCE'S CONSOLIDATED AUDIT IN WHICH THE FOOTNOTE THAT DISCUSSESBAD DEBT (IMPLICIT PRICE CONCESSIONS) EXPENSE IS LOCATED IN FOOTNOTE #2, PAGES 17-20, OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

Schedule H, Part III, Line 8 Community benefit & methodology for determining medicare costs
A COST TO CHARGE RATIO IS APPLIED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S MEDICARE GROSS CHARGES TO CALCULATE MEDICARE COSTS, WHICH ARE THEN COMPARED TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS RECEIVED, TO DETERMINE A MEDICARE GAIN OR LOSS. ASCENSION HEALTH AND ITS RELATED HEALTH MINISTRIES FOLLOW THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (CHA) GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING COMMUNITY BENEFIT. CHA COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTING GUIDELINES SUGGEST THAT A MEDICARE SHORTFALL (LOSS) IS NOT TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT, EVEN THOUGH THE HOSPITAL HAS INCURRED LOSSES IN PROVIDING CARE TO MEDICARE PATIENTS. THEREFORE, NONE OF THE AMOUNT ON LINE 7 IS TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

Schedule H, Part III, Line 9b Collection practices for patients eligible for financial assistance
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. FOLLOWS THE ASCENSION GUIDELINES FOR COLLECTION PRACTICES RELATED TO PATIENTS QUALIFYING FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. A PATIENT CAN APPLY FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT ANY TIME DURING THE COLLECTION CYCLE. ONCE QUALIFYING DOCUMENTATION IS RECEIVED THE PATIENT'S ACCOUNT IS ADJUSTED IF ELIGIBLE UNDER THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. PATIENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE QUALIFYING PATIENT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX MONTHS MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. ONCE A PATIENT QUALIFIES FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITY IS SUSPENDED FOR THE AMOUNTS FOR WHICH THE PATIENT QUALIFIES.

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16a FAP website
- ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG: Line 16a URL: https://healthcare.ascension.org/Financial-Assistance;

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16b FAP Application website
- ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG: Line 16b URL: https://healthcare.ascension.org/Financial-Assistance;

Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16c FAP plain language summary website
- ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG: Line 16c URL: https://healthcare.ascension.org/Financial-Assistance;

Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 Promotion of community health
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC.'S GOVERNING BODY IS COMPRISED OF PERSONS REPRESENTING DIVERSE ASPECTS AND INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY. MANY MEMBERS OF ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC.'S GOVERNING BODY RESIDE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA AND WHO ARE NEITHER EMPLOYEES NOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS OF THE ORGANIZATION, NOR FAMILY MEMBERS THEREOF. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. EXTENDS MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN ITS COMMUNITY FOR SOME OR ALL OF ITS DEPARTMENTS OR SPECIALTIES. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. APPLIES SURPLUS FUNDS TO FUND IMPROVEMENTS IN PATIENT CARE (AND/OR) MEDICAL EDUCATION (AND/OR) RESEARCH.

Schedule H, Part VI, Line 2 Needs assessment
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. USES INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DATA AND REPORTS FROM THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT SOURCES, TO ASSESS THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THESE REPORTS PROVIDE KEY INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH, SOCIOECONOMIC, DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS THAT IDENTIFY AREAS OF NEED AND INFORM OUR STRATEGIES THAT HELP TO MEET THOSE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THESE REPORTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 1. Local and State Department of Health Reports 2. Decision Resources Group/ Clarivate 3. US Census Bureau 4. Sg2 healthcare intelligence 5. Healthcare claims datasets 6. State datasets 7. CDC 8. Internal data sets 9. CMS 10. Economic Impact Studies 11. Metropolitan Planning Organization-WSU Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. UTILIZES INFORMATION FROM THESE SECONDARY SOURCES TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SERVICES NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN ADDITION, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. CONSIDERS THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THE OVERALL COMMUNITY WHEN EVALUATING INTERNAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS.

Schedule H, Part VI, Line 3 Patient education of eligibility for assistance
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. IS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING EFFECTIVE, SAFE, PERSON-CENTRIC, HEALTH CARE TO ALL PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. AS A NONPROFIT HOSPITAL, IT IS OUR MISSION AND PRIVILEGE TO PLAY THIS IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. STAFF SCREEN UNINSURED PATIENTS AND IF FOUND POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR A GOVERNMENT FUNDING SOURCE, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND/OR RESOURCES TO THE PATIENT AND THEIR FAMILY. IF A PATIENT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A PAYMENT SOURCE, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC.'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY COVERS PATIENTS WHO LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PAY FOR ALL OR PART OF THEIR BILLS. ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS BASED UPON THE ANNUAL FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES; ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO EARN UP TO 400% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. WIDELY PUBLICIZES ITS: - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY SUMMARY - LIST OF PROVIDERS COVERED BY THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY VIA THE HOSPITAL FACILITY'S WEBSITE - https://healthcare.ascension.org/locations/kansas/kswic/pittsburg-ascension-via-christi-hospital-in-pittsburg/financial-assistance ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. MAKES PAPER COPIES OF THE: - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY SUMMARY - LIST OF PROVIDERS COVERED BY THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY - AMOUNT GENERALLY BILLED CALCULATION. THE PAPER COPIES ARE MADE READILY AVAILABLE AS PART OF THE INTAKE, DISCHARGE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE PROCESSES. UPON REQUEST, PAPER COPIES CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED BY MAIL. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG , INC. INFORMS ITS PATIENTS OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY VIA A NOTICE ON PATIENT BILLING STATEMENTS, INCLUDING THE PHONE NUMBER AND WEB ADDRESS WHERE MORE INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. INFORMS ITS PATIENTS OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY VIA SIGNAGE DISPLAYED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND ADMISSIONS AREAS.

Schedule H, Part VI, Line 4 Community information
"ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. HAS DEFINED ITS COMMUNITY SERVED AS CRAWFORD COUNTY. ALTHOUGH ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. SERVES CRAWFORD COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS, THE ""COMMUNITY SERVED"" WAS DEFINED AS SUCH BECAUSE (A) MOST OF THE HOSPITAL'S SERVICE AREA IS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY; (B) MOST OF THE ASSESSMENT PARTNERS DEFINE THEIR SERVICE AREA AT THE COUNTY LEVEL; AND (C) MOST COMMUNITY HEALTH DATA IS AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL. CRAWFORD COUNTY IS A RURAL COMMUNITY LOCATED IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND IS CLOSE TO THE MISSOURI AND OKLAHOMA BORDERS. THE MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE COUNTY IS PITTSBURG. THE COUNTY WAS FOUNDED ON COAL MINING, BUT NOW CONTAINS MANY MEAT PACKING PLANTS AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE CRAWFORD COUNTY IS ESTIMATED TO BE 39,110 RESIDENTS IN THE CALENDAR YEAR 2021. THE TOTAL POPULATION INCREASE FROM 2020 TO 2021 WAS 0.4%. THE MEDIAN INCOME OF CRAWFORD COUNTY IS $45,191 (US CENSUS QUICK FACTS, 2017-2021). APPROXIMATELY 21.3% OF RESIDENTS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, WITH 12.7% UNINSURED UNDER AGE 65. NORTHEAST CRAWFORD COUNTY IS FEDERALLY DESIGNATED A MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA AND CRAWFORD COUNTY IS DESIGNATED A LOW-INCOME SERVICE AREA BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. THERE IS ONE OTHER HOSPITAL (GIRARD MEDICAL CENTER) LOCATED WITHIN THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (KANSAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION)."

Schedule H, Part VI, Line 6 Affiliated health care system
ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC., IS A MEMBER OF ASCENSION. ASCENSION HEALTH ALLIANCE, D/B/A ASCENSION (ASCENSION), IS A MISSOURI NONPROFIT CORPORATION FORMED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2011. ASCENSION IS THE SOLE CORPORATE MEMBER AND PARENT ORGANIZATION OF ASCENSION HEALTH, A CATHOLIC NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS THAT OWN AND OPERATE LOCAL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, OR HEALTH MINISTRIES, LOCATED IN 19 OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ASCENSION IS SPONSORED BY ASCENSION SPONSOR, A PUBLIC JURIDIC PERSON. THE PARTICIPATING ENTITIES OF ASCENSION SPONSOR ARE THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, ST. LOUISE PROVINCE; THE CONGREGATION OF ST. JOSEPH; THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET; THE CONGREGATION OF ALEXIAN BROTHERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PROVINCE, INC. - AMERICAN PROVINCE; AND THE SISTERS OF THE SORROWFUL MOTHER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - US/CARIBBEAN PROVINCE. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC., OPERATES HOSPITAL AND NON-HOSPITAL FACILITIES IN PITTSBURG, KANSAS, AND IS PART OF ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HEALTH, INC., WHICH IS A LARGE MULTIFACETED, INTEGRATED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT MINISTRY INCLUDING HOSPITAL AND NON-HOSPITAL MINISTRIES (PHYSICIAN GROUP PRACTICES, HOSPITAL ORGANIZATIONS, EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, HOME HEALTH, ANCILLARY SERVICES, FOUNDATION, AND DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT). THESE MINISTRIES WORK TOGETHER TO CARE FOR PATIENTS, JOINED BY COMMON SYSTEMS AND A PHILOSOPHY OF SERVING AS A HEALING PRESENCE WITH SPECIAL CONCERN FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE. THIS COMMUNITY BENEFIT HAPPENS THROUGH ITS FOCUS ON PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH. THE ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG INC.'S MISSION OF CARE BEGAN IN 1903, WHEN THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH FOUNDED MT. CARMEL HOSPITAL. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG INC. IS COMMITTED TO THAT MISSION OF SERVING AS A HEALING PRESENCE WITH SPECIAL CONCERN FOR OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE VULNERABLE. THE HOSPITAL'S FEATURES INCLUDE: A SURGERY CENTER, CANCER CENTER, 3D MAMMOGRAPHY, WOMEN'S CENTER INCLUDING A LEVEL II NURSERY AND CENTRAL FETAL MONITORING SYSTEM, ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HEART INSTITUTE, PEDIATRIC ECHOCARDIOGRAMS AND OTHER EXTENSIVE SPECIALTY SERVICE LINES INCLUDING DIAGNOSTICS, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. ASCENSION VIA CHRISTI HOSPITAL PITTSBURG, INC. SERVES THE RESIDENTS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY AND THE REGION, PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CARE CLOSE TO HOME.