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Mercy Kansas Communities

Mercy Hospital-Fort Scott
401 Woodland Hills Blvd
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bed count46Medicare provider number170058Member of the Council of Teaching HospitalsNOChildren's hospitalNO
EIN: 480956045
Display data for year:
Community Benefit Spending- 2018
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
2.01%
Spending by Community Benefit Category- 2018
(as % of total functional expenses)
* = CBI denoted preventative categories
Community Benefit Spending Compared to Functional Expenses, 2010-2018
Additional data

Community Benefit Expenditures: 2018

  • 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$ 52,691,649
      Total amount spent on community benefits
      as % of operating expenses
      $ 1,057,296
      2.01 %
  • Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
      • Financial Assistance at cost
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 217,401
        0.41 %
        Medicaid
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 837,000
        1.59 %
        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.
        $ 2,895
        0.01 %
        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: 2018

    • 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
        $ 865,361
        1.64 %
        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?NO
    • 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?YES
    • 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?NO

    Community Health Needs Assessment Activities: 2018

    • 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: 2018

    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 $ 14985036 including grants of $ 382921) (Revenue $ 15492763)
      MERCY HOSPITAL - FORT SCOTT CLOSED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2019. PRIOR TO CLOSING, HEALTHCARE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED THAT BENEFITED THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT AND BOURBON COUNTY. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDED BASIC PRIMARY CARE SERVICES WHICH INCLUDED; INPATIENT ACUTE, SWING BED, EMERGENCY ROOM, GENERAL SURGERY, OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC, OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY AND HOME HEALTH SERVICES. THE COMMUNITY NEED IS REPRESENTED BY THE APPROXIMATE 378 DISCHARGES, 4,571 EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, 642 SURGERIES, 7,688 HOME HEALTH VISITS AND NUMEROUS OUTPATIENT PROCEDURES. NECESSARY TERTIARY CARE IS TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TO A LARGER HOSPITAL.
      4B (Expenses $ 5173917 including grants of $ 2975) (Revenue $ 4270008)
      MERCY PHYSICIAN GROUP - FORT SCOTT CLOSED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2019. PRIOR TO CLOSING, LOCAL PHYSICIAN SERVICES WERE PROVIDED THAT BENEFITED THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITIES. THE INTEGRATED PHYSICIAN GROUP CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING MIX OF SPECIALTIES: FAMILY PRACTICE, INTERNAL MEDICINE, OB/GYN, GENERAL SURGERY, ORTHOPEDICS AND ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS.
      Facility Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3e
      THE HOSPITAL FACILITY DID INCLUDE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF THE COMMUNITYS SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS IN ITS MOST RECENT CHNA REPORT. PART V, SECTION B, LINES 4 AND 9 A 2019 CHNA AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WAS NOT COMPLETED DUE TO CLOSURE. FORT SCOTT CLOSED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2019. FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5 TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH STATUS, BEHAVIORS AND NEEDS OF THE POPULATIONS THEY SERVE, MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTT REACHED OUT TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, SOUTH EAST KANSAS MULTI COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUBLIC NURSE, THE VULNERABLE AND THE UNDERSERVED TO COLLABORATE ON A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA). THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS INVOLVED REVIEW OF BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA IN ORDER TO PLAN AND ACT UPON PRIORITY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS. THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE OF BOURBON COUNTY, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN POVERTY AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, WERE CENTRAL TO THE HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTT GATHERED COMMUNITY INPUT THROUGH A FOCUS GROUP LOCATED IN FORT SCOTT CITY HALL. THERE WAS REPRESENTATION OF THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AND LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS. COMMUNITY PARTNERS ATTENDING AND ADVOCATING ON THEIR CLIENTS BEHALF CONSISTED OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LOCAL FOOD PANTRY, LOCAL COALITION, MENTAL HEALTH, SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND MEDICAID CASE MANAGERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUP PROVIDED MEANINGFUL AND REFLECTIVE INFORMATION. THIRTEEN INDIVIDUALS IN THE BOURBON COUNTY AREA EXPRESSED INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN THE FOCUS GROUP. ALL 13 OF THE INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS WERE ELIGIBLE. OF THE INTERESTED PEOPLE; THREE WERE MEN AND 10 WERE WOMEN; 1 WAS A YOUNG ADULT (26-36 YEARS OLD), NINE WERE MIDDLE AGED ADULTS (37-64 YEARS OLD), THREE WERE OLDER ADULTS (65-84 YEARS OLD); FIVE HAD PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERAGE, ONE HAD MEDICAID COVERAGE, TWO HAD MEDICARE COVERAGE, ONE HAD BOTH MEDICAID AND MEDICARE COVERAGE, ONE HAD BOTH MEDICARE AND PRIVATE COVERAGE, THREE HAD NO INSURANCE COVERAGE; AND TWO HAD SOUGHT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE PAST YEAR. A TOTAL OF 7 PARTICIPANTS SHOWED FOR THE FOCUS GROUP, ALL WHITE, SIX FEMALES, ONE MALE, FOUR WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE, TWO WITH MEDICARE COVERAGE AND ONE THAT WAS UNINSURED IN ATTENDANCE. SUFFICIENT REPRESENTATION OF MEDICAID, LOW INCOME, AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WERE REPRESENTED. EVERY ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO HAVE AT LEAST 2 MEN IN ATTENDANCE. ONE GENTLEMAN HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, AND ANOTHER WAS SICK ON THE DAY OF THE FOCUS GROUP MEETING. IN ORDER TO ALIGN OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS WITH MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTTS STRATEGIC PLAN AND MISSION, A HOSPITAL LEVEL FOCUS GROUP WAS CONDUCTED. HOSPITAL, CLINIC, HEALTH FOR LIFE, HOME HEALTH, HOSPICE, AND PHARMACY LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATED AND PROVIDED FEEDBACK. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA WERE PRESENTED. THE GROUP WAS TASKED TO PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH INDICATORS BASED ON LEVEL OF COMMUNITY CONCERN AND POTENTIAL TO COLLABORATE AROUND THE HEALTH ISSUE. FOR THIS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, WE DID NOT SOLICIT WRITTEN COMMENTS. WE DID NOT HAVE A PROCESS YET IN PLACE. SINCE THE COMPLETION OF THE CHNA, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROCESS FOR SOLICITING WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF A PERCEPTION SURVEY. THIS PERCEPTION SURVEY WILL BE UTILIZED TO EVALUATE THE PROGRESS OF OUR CURRENT CHIP.
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 6B
      MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTT CONDUCTED THE CHNA WITH THE SOUTH EAST KANSAS MULTI COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 11
      "Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is addressing the significant needs identified in the most recent CHNA through systems, environmental, and policy change in the places where our community members spend most of their time. Our goal is to create sustainable programs that will have the largest impact. ""The environments where we live, learn, work, and play affect access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity which, along with genetic factors and personal choices, shape health and risk of overweight and obesity"" (Institute, 2016). The health needs that have been identified as priorities are: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, & Lung Disease. Other identified needs not being addressed and why not: Mental Illness Mercy Hospital Fort Scott acknowledges the needs associated with persons who have been diagnosed with Mental Illness. We do not have the resources to adequately address this need in the healthcare setting. We have working relationships with mental health providers and counselors who are able to address this need in the community setting. The local South East Kansas Mental Health facility is government funded, accepts Medicaid, and has a sliding scale for those who are uninsured or living in poverty. Maternal Child Health Our Mother and Infants Program bring a much needed service to the community to ensure expecting mothers receive quality prenatal care, education, and support. The program targets the vulnerable and underserved. Secondary data indicate our community has a lower rate of women receiving inadequate prenatal care when compared to state and national percentages. Mercy will continue to address issues through collaborative work regarding teenage pregnancy but there are limitations as a Catholic Health System and will not take a lead role on this issue. Cancer: Currently, there are several community organizations who are addressing this indicator. Mercy will continue our collaboration with these organizations as well as continue internal efforts through home health and palliative care programs. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott leaders felt our continued involvement was important but the issues of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lung disease demanded more of our focus at this time."
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINES 16A, 16B, & 16C
      THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, APPLICATION AND A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT HTTPS://WWW.MERCY.NET/OPEN-PAGES/MERCY-FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/
      Supplemental Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 6A
      THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS PREPARED BY ITS ULTIMATE PARENT ENTITY, MERCY HEALTH (EIN: 43-1423050). FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN F TOTAL EXPENSES FROM FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A) ARE $52,691,648. INCLUDED IN THIS AMOUNT WAS BAD DEBT EXPENSE (CHARGES) OF $2,279,570. EXPENSES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING LINE 7, COLUMN (F) ARE $50,412,078.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART II
      Mercy Hospital Fort Scott contributes to community building activities with the intent to improve the community's health and safety by addressing the root cause of health problems, such as poverty, homelessness and other social determinants of health. Leadership participates in the Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Fort Scott Visioning Steering Committee, and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce on issues impacting the communitys health and safety. Efforts are focused to establish or enhance community support networks, such as The Good Neighbor Action Team (GNAT), Circles out of Poverty Group, High School Mentor Program, and Presbyterian Village Board activities. These activities include both community-based initiatives and facility-based initiatives.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 2
      TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE, AT COST, BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENT ACCOUNTS WAS MULTIPLIED BY A RATIO OF COST TO CHARGES. THE RATIO OF COST TO CHARGES USED WAS BASED ON DETAILED COST ACCOUNT, WHERE AVAILABLE. WHERE COST ACCOUNTING IS NOT AVAILABLE, COST REPORT COST TO CHARGE RATIOS WERE UTILIZED.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 3
      The filing organization determined that the estimated amount of bad debt expense (at cost) attributable to patients eligible under the organization's charity care policy is $0. Although the charity care policy requires the participation of the patient requesting assistance, we have a process under presumptive charity to address accounts for patients who do not provide the information. We believe that our charity policy is comprehensive enough to capture almost all patients who qualify for charity care.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 4
      IN MAY 2014, THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (FASB) AND INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATE (ASU) 2014-09, REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (TOPIC 606). THE HEALTH SYSTEM ADOPTED ASU 2014-09 ON JULY 1, 2018 USING A FULL RETROSPECTIVE BASIS. UPON ADOPTION, THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED AS PROVISION FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS AND PRESENTED AS A REDUCTION TO PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS IS TREATED A PRICE CONCESSION THAT REDUCES THE TRANSACTION PRICE, WHICH IS REPORTED AS PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE. AS SUCH, BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS NOT REFERENCED IN MERCY HEALTH AND SUBSIDIARIES AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS TRACKED FOR FORM 990 REPORTING AS FOLLOWS: PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE THAT ARE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE, INCLUDING THOSE PLACED WITH COLLECTION AGENCIES, ARE INITIALLY CHARGED AGAINST THE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COLLECTION POLICIES OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, ARE RECLASSIFIED TO CHARITY CARE IF DEEMED TO OTHERWISE MEET THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S CHARITY CARE POLICY. THE PROVISION FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES IS BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS CONSIDERING BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, AND OTHER COLLECTION INDICATORS. PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, MANAGEMENT ASSESSES THE ADEQUACY OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES BASED UPON THE PAYOR COMPOSITION AND AGING OF RECEIVABLES WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE HISTORICAL PAYMENT AND WRITE-OFF EXPERIENCE BY PAYOR CATEGORY. THE RESULTS OF THESE REVIEWS ARE THEN USED TO MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROVISION FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES. AFTER SATISFACTION OF AMOUNTS DUE FROM INSURANCE, THE HEALTH SYSTEM FOLLOWS ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR PLACING PAST-DUE PATIENT BALANCES WITH COLLECTION AGENCIES.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION B, LINE 8
      IT IS THE POSITION OF MERCY THAT 100% OF ANY SHORTFALL SHOULD BE TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THIS AMOUNT REPRESENTS COST OF PROVIDING SERVICES THAT REMAIN UNCOMPENSATED TO THE PROVIDER. THE UNREIMBURSED COSTS OF MEDICARE IS CALCULATED BY THE GROSS CHARGES NET OF THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO LESS ANY PAYMENTS, DEDUCTIONS OR REIMBURSEMENTS USING THE ANNUAL MEDICARE COST REPORT (CMS FORM 2552-96).
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION C, LINE 9B
      MERCYS COLLECTION POLICY PROVIDES THAT MERCY WILL PERFORM A REASONABLE COMMUNICATION AND/OR REVIEW OF PATIENT ACCOUNTS AS IT RELATES TO ANY SERVICE PROVIDED AT OUR FACILITIES BEFORE TURNING THE ACCOUNT TO BAD DEBT OR TAKING LEGAL ACTION FOR NONPAYMENT. MERCY ACTIVELY SCRUBS ACCOUNTS FOR PAYOR PLAN COVERAGE, INCLUDING MEDICAID. IN THE EVENT AN ACCOUNT IS TURNED TO COLLECTIONS AND IS IDENTIFIED IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCE CHANGES, OR IS NOW REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, THE ACCOUNTS ARE RETURNED BY THE AGENCY AND CONSIDERED FOR CHARITY IF THE PATIENT PROVIDES THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. IF THE PATIENT FAILS TO RETURN THE INFORMATION, THE ACCOUNT WILL QUALIFY FOR COLLECTIONS. MERCY UTILIZES THE EXPERIAN TOOL TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE THE CHARITY QUALIFICATION PRIOR TO TURNING TO BAD DEBT, A PROCESS KNOWN AS PRESUMPTIVE CHARITY. MERCY WILL GRANT CHARITY IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN AN INABILITY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM PATIENTS OR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS NOT COMPLETE ENOUGH TO MAKE A CHARITY DETERMINATION WHEN A PATIENT HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. IN ADDITION, MERCY UTILIZES THE SAME TOOL TO QUALIFY ACCOUNTS PER THE PRACTICE OF PRESUMPTIVE CHARITY PRIOR TO BAD DEBT PLACEMENT FOR BALANCES IN EXCESS OF $6,500. ALL ACCOUNT BALANCES RELATING TO ACCOUNTS IDENTIFIED BY THE HIGHER BALANCES WILL BE CONSIDERED AND FLAGGED FOR CHARITY IF THERE IS AN INABILITY TO PAY AFTER A RETURN FROM THE COLLECTION AGENCY AT APPROXIMATELY 120 DAYS. MERCY WILL PURSUE APPROPRIATE MEANS IN THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS FROM PATIENTS WITH AN ESTABLISHED ABILITY TO PAY OR AN UNWILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE IN VALIDATING ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THESE APPROPRIATE MEANS MAY INCLUDE LEGAL ACTION CONSISTENT WITH MERCY MISSION AND VALUES AFTER A SENDING 3 MONTHLY STATEMENTS WITH THE FINAL INCLUDING NOTIFICATION; IF NO RESOLUTION THEY WILL BE TURNED TO COLLECTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY MAY INCLUDE LIENS UPON REAL PROPERTY AND REASONABLE WAGE GARNISHMENTS. LEGAL ACTIONS WILL GENERALLY NOT INCLUDE BANK GARNISHMENTS, REPOSSESSION OF ASSETS OR FORECLOSURES TO ENSURE SATISFACTION OF A LIEN. MERCY HAS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS THE INITIATION OF LEGAL ACTION AND ANNUALLY REVIEW COMPLIANCE WITH POLICIES BUT ENSURE 120 DAYS OF BILLING AND COLLECTIONS OCCURS PRIOR TO ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTIONS ARE PURSUED.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 2
      Mercy Hospital strives to continually assess the health needs of our community. In addition to the collaborative work described in the CHNA, Mercy Hospital Leadership and coworkers attended coalition meetings, served as board members on various committees, and were actively involved in community events. Mercy Hospital worked with various other organizations in the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to survey community members on their perception of the health and wellness of our community. This perception survey had a high response rate. The results from this survey will be used in implementing policy and environmental change as well as direct our focus to the most pressing priorities.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 3
      Mercy informs and educates patients and persons who may be billed for patient care about their eligibility for assistance under federal, state, or local government programs or under the organizations financial assistance policy through several means. If at any time a patient expresses hardship and inability to pay, the account is placed for review. In addition, patients have signage about the policy at the access points, and all staff working with the patient at Point of Service, Scheduling, Customer Service, and even through the Medicaid Eligibility Screening, have the means to send the account for review. There is the plain language summary that is being provided to all whom express hardship, in addition to the web address providing the application, policies, and even how uninsured accounts are handled. Lastly, the statements message to the patient that Mercy does have a Financial Assistance Program and to call to see if they are eligible. Mercy staffs internal resources certified to assist patients with Medicaid Applications as well.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 4
      MERCY HOSPITAL KANSAS COMMUNITIES' PRIMARY SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING THREE COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS: LINN, BOURBON, AND CRAWFORD. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS DERIVED FROM 2018 IBM/WATSONS DEMOGRAPHICS AND FY2018 DECISION RESOURCE GROUPS INSURANCE COVERAGE ESTIMATES. THE AREAS POPULATION IS 627,914. 33% OF THE POPULATIONS AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS OVER $75,000. 37% OF THE POPULATION IS 45 AND OLDER. 15% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ARE ON MEDICARE, 20% ON MEDICAID, AND 10% UNINSURED.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 5
      MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTT AND EACH OF ITS FACILITIES FURTHER ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE BY PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH LOCAL COALITIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WE WILL SEE A CHANGE IN THE CULTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS A RURAL HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL FORT SCOTT HAS LIMITED RESOURCES AND MUST CARRY AN ENTERPRISING SPIRIT TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. NETWORKING AND JOINING FORCES WITH AREA BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFIT ENTITIES, AND OTHERS HAS HELPED EXTEND OUR REACH. SURVEY RESULTS SHOW OUR COMMUNITY WAS IN NEED OF A FORM OF EXERCISE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HAVE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. IN 2016 MERCY HOSPITAL RAISED MONEY THROUGH THE MERCY FOUNDATION AND A GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BUY AN UNDERWATER TREADMILL. THE MERCY FOUNDATION, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, FUNDRAISING, AND COWORKER SUPPORT HAS ALSO LED US TO THE PURCHASE OF A NEW MAMMOGRAPHY MACHINE. THIS WAS A MUCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT TO ENHANCE PREVENTATIVE SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE HOSPITAL HOLDS WELLNESS FAIRS AT MULTIPLE BUSINESSES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. MERCY PHYSICIANS CLINIC HELD AN ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR CLINIC. THIS IS A HEALTH FAIR HELD IN COLLABORATION WITH MANY NON-PROFIT AND HELPING AGENCIES TO HELP FAMILIES GET THE REFERRALS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED. MERCY HOSPITAL HAS PARTICULAR CONCERN FOR THE VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED. AN EXAMPLE OF A LONG STANDING PROGRAM, THE MOTHERS AND INFANTS CLINIC, WHERE SOON TO BE MOTHERS WHO HAVE LITTLE OR NO INSURANCE RECEIVE NEEDED PRENATAL CARE, IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE WOMENS SOCIAL, NUTRITION, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS ARE ALSO ADDRESSED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. COWORKERS AND LEADERS GATHER COATS DURING AN ANNUAL COAT DRIVE, OR CANNED GOODS DURING THE ANNUAL CANNED GOOD DRIVE, AND THE ITEMS ARE DONATED TO THE LOCAL FOOD PANTRY.
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 6
      "AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM: THE FILING ORGANIZATION IS PART OF MERCY HEALTH (""MERCY""). MERCY IS A MISSOURI NON-PROFIT CORPORATION WITH ITS HEADQUARTERS (""MINISTRY OFFICE"") IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. MERCY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN FOUR STATES - ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MISSOURI, AND OKLAHOMA - AND HAS OUTREACH MINISTRIES LOCATED IN LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND TEXAS. MERCY'S MISSION IS ""AS THE SISTERS OF MERCY BEFORE US, WE BRING TO LIFE THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS THROUGH OUR COMPASSIONATE CARE AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE."" AS OF JUNE 30, 2018, MERCY FACILITIES INCLUDED 30 ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS, 5 MANAGED HOSPITALS, 4 HEART HOSPITALS, 2 CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS, 2 ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITALS AND 3 REHAB HOSPITALS. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018, MERCY HAD MORE THAN 10.3 MILLION OUTPATIENT AND PHYSICIAN OFFICE VISITS, APPROXIMATELY 2,400 EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS, AND APPROXIMATELY 45,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES, MAKING MERCY THE SIXTH LARGEST CATHOLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES. MERCY IS SPONSORED BY MERCY HEALTH MINISTRY, WHICH IS GOVERNED BY MEMBERS THAT INCLUDE SISTERS OF MERCY. MANY SERVICES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO FULFILLING MERCY'S MISSION ARE CENTRALIZED AT THE MINISTRY OFFICE. SUCH CENTRALIZED SERVICES INCLUDE: FINANCE (INCLUDING TREASURY, FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING, REVENUE MANAGEMENT, INTERNAL AUDIT, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND PAYROLL OPERATIONS, ANALYTICS AND DECISION SUPPORT); ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SUPPORT; CLINICAL INTEGRATION; CARE MANAGEMENT; CLINICAL PERFORMANCE ACCELERATION; CLINICAL ENGINEERING; CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT; COMPLIANCE; GRANTS AND RESEARCH SERVICES; LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE COUNSEL; MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS; PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION; PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATICS; REAL ESTATE; SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT; MANAGED CARE STRATEGY SUPPORT; HUMAN RESOURCES (INCLUDING COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND RECRUITING); MISSION SERVICES AND ETHICS; PHILANTHROPY SUPPORT; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; AND, COMMUNITY RELATIONS. THE CENTRALIZATION OF SUCH SUPPORT SERVICES ENABLES MERCY TO ENSURE THAT EACH OF ITS COMMUNITIES, WHETHER LARGE OR SMALL, HAS THE SERVICES IT NEEDS."
      FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 7
      STATE FILING OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT: KANSAS