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Mercy Hospitals East Communities

615 S New Ballas Road
St Louis, MO 63141
EIN: 430653493
Individual Facility Details: Mercy Hospital - Washington
901 E 5th Street
Washington, MO 63090
2 hospitals in organization:
(click a facility name to update Individual Facility Details panel)
Bed count185Medicare provider number260052Member of the Council of Teaching HospitalsYESChildren's hospitalNO

Mercy Hospitals East CommunitiesDisplay data for year:

Community Benefit Spending- 2021
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
9.11%
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.

    • Operating expenses$ 1,392,670,664
      Total amount spent on community benefits
      as % of operating expenses
      $ 126,869,504
      9.11 %
  • Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
      • Financial Assistance at cost
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 27,343,763
        1.96 %
        Medicaid
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 78,037,473
        5.60 %
        Costs of other means-tested government programs
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Health professions education
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 6,118,166
        0.44 %
        Subsidized health services
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 10,659,187
        0.77 %
        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.
        $ 4,650,474
        0.33 %
        Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 60,441
        0.00 %
        Community building*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 509,992
        0.04 %
    • * = CBI denoted preventative categories
    • Community building activities details:
        • Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities?YES
          Number of activities or programs (optional)3
          Physical improvements and housing0
          Economic development0
          Community support0
          Environmental improvements0
          Leadership development and training for community members0
          Coalition building1
          Community health improvement advocacy0
          Workforce development0
          Other2
          Persons served (optional)2,041
          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
          Other2,041
          Community building expense
          as % of operating expenses
          $ 509,992
          0.04 %
          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
          $ 0
          0 %
          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
          $ 80
          0.02 %
          Community health improvement advocacy
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          0 %
          Workforce development
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          0 %
          Other
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 509,912
          99.98 %
          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: 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
        $ 20,185,019
        1.45 %
        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?YES

    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 $ 407092433 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 540436900)
      MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES PROVIDES QUALITY MEDICAL HEALTH CARE REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, HANDICAP, AGE OR ABILITY TO PAY BY OFFERING ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ITS COMMUNITY. IN ACTIVE PURSUIT OF THIS MISSION, MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES IN THEIR 854 BED FACILITY AND IN FY22, HAD 826,663 TOTAL CASES. AT MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES, CANCER CARE IS ABOUT MORE THAN PROVIDING CLINICAL TREATMENTS. MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES ALSO OFFERS SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP YOU MAINTAIN YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH. MERCY'S CANCER SPECIALISTS CARE FOR ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF CANCER AND PARTICIPATE IN CLINICAL RESEARCH TO BRING YOU THE MOST ADVANCED CANCER TREATMENT AVAILABLE. IN FY22, MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES HAD 62,463 CASES AND 6,695 PATIENT DAYS FOR THIS SERVICE LINE.
      4B (Expenses $ 193687503 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 257130482)
      MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE HEART AND VASCULAR SERVICES, A WIDE VARIETY OF TREATMENT OPTIONS AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT A FULL RANGE OF CONDITIONS. MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES ALSO PROVIDES A FULL COMPLEMENT OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION, THERAPY AND EDUCATION SERVICES. IN FY22, MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES HAD 64,196 CASES AND 25,837 PATIENT DAYS FOR THIS SERVICE LINE.
      4C (Expenses $ 146669180 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 194711153)
      MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES RADIOLOGISTS USE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES TO PRODUCE PRECISE IMAGES AND EXACTING TEST RESULTS. MERCY OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. MERCY RADIOLOGISTS GIVE MORE INSIGHT INTO YOUR CONDITION, SO YOU RECEIVE AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. IN FY22, MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES HAD 208,363 CASES FOR THIS SERVICE LINE.
      4D (Expenses $ 472715912 including grants of $ 2694945) (Revenue $ 627190123)
      IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAM SERVICES DESCRIBED ABOVE, MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES ALSO SERVES PATIENTS IN ADDITIONAL SERVICE LINES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS: EMERGENCY ROOM; GASTROENTEROLOGY; NICU; ORTHOPEDICS; WOMEN & INFANTS.
      Facility Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 3j: THE HOSPITAL FACILITY DID INCLUDE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF THE COMMUNITY'S SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS IN ITS MOST RECENT CHNA REPORT.THE CHNA HAS ALL THE SECTIONS REFERENCED ABOVE AND INCLUDES AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES, EVALUATION OF IMPACT, REFERENCES, AND APPENDICES.
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      Part V, Section B, Line 3j: THE HOSPITAL FACILITY DID INCLUDE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF THE COMMUNITY'S SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS IN ITS MOST RECENT CHNA REPORT.THE CHNA HAS ALL THE SECTIONS REFERENCED ABOVE AND INCLUDES AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES, EVALUATION OF IMPACT, REFERENCES, AND APPENDICES.
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 5: MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUISTHE INPUT AND GUIDANCE FROM INDIVIDUALS WITHIN MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS' (MHSL) SERVICE AREA IN THE ST. LOUIS REGION WAS CENTRAL TO THE 2022 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS. INPUT FROM PEOPLE REPRESENTING BROAD INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE SOLICITED THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTH COMMUNITY (STLPHC), AS WELL AS ORGANIZATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEYS AND STAKEHOLDER FOCUS GROUPS. DATA COLLECTION WAS CONDUCTED IN COLLABORATION WITH BJC HEALTHCARE, MERCY HOSPITAL SOUTH, MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER, SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN ST. LOUIS, SSM HEALTH, ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, AND ST. LUKE'S DES PERES HOSPITAL, WITH SUPPORT FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK, ST. LOUIS INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK, ST. LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION, MISSOURI FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH, MISSOURI HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, ST. LOUIS CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE SAINT LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTH COMMUNITY (STLPHC)THE STLPHC IS COMPRISED OF A BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS REPRESENTING THE WIDE VARIETY OF ENTITIES THAT IMPACT HEALTH- IT INCLUDES BOTH THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AREA HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, GOVERNMENT, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES/DEPARTMENTS, COORDINATED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESS PARTNERS IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY. IN MARCH 2022, MSHL PARTICIPATED IN THE STLPHC'S 2022 COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS ASSESSMENT (CHSA) ALONGSIDE MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND EXPERTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE ST. LOUIS REGION. COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER SURVEYSMHSL CONDUCTED TWO COMMUNITY SURVEYS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARTNER HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SSM HEALTH, BJC HEALTHCARE, ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL AND SHRINER'S HOSPITAL. DUE TO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, ONLINE SURVEYS WERE UTILIZED IN LIEU OF IN-PERSON METHODS. THE COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY WAS DISTRIBUTED BROADLY THROUGHOUT THE ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN AREA BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE 2021. THE SURVEY TOOK TEN MINUTES TO COMPLETE AND CONTAINED 39 QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH CHALLENGES, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATUS, NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS. THE STAKEHOLDER SURVEY WAS SENT TO KEY LEADERS OF ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE FOCUS ON PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS, LEADERS, AND THOSE WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS AREA. MHSL GATHERED DATA FOR THREE GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS IN THE COMMUNITY: WEST COUNTY, NORTH COUNTY, AND ST. LOUIS CITY. SEE THE LIST BELOW OF PARTICIPATING STAKEHOLDER ORGANIZATIONS: WEST COUNTY- ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH- MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY- ST. LUKE'S DES PERES ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER- CITY OF DES PERES- EVENT EXHIBITS, INC.- KIRKWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT- CIRCLE OF CONCERN- METROWEST ANESTHESIA GROUP- ROCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT- TOWN AND COUNTRY, MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT- ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE- MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY- PREVENTED- CREVE COEUR POLICE DEPARTMENT- JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER- EUREKA POLICE DEPARTMENT ST. LOUIS CITY- CITY OF ST. LOUIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH- YOUTH IN NEED- BJC HEALTHCARE- BJC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH- AFFINIA HEALTHCARE- MISSOURI FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH- ALIVE AND WELL COMMUNITIES- IFM COMMUNITY MEDICINE- PLACES FOR PEOPLE- ST. VINCENT DE PAUL- GATEWAY REGION YMCA- HAZELWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT- STATE FARM- ST. LOUIS INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK- BJK PEOPLES HEALTH CENTERS- HEALTH LITERACY MEDIA- URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS- MARCH OF DIMES- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK OF GREATER ST. LOUIS- COMMUNITY HEALTH-IN-PARTNERSHIP SERVICES (CHIPS)- PREVENTED- OPERATION FOOD SEARCH- RISE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.- SAINT LOUIS CRISIS NURSERY- CASA DE SALUD- MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SENIOR SERVICESNORTH COUNTY- AGING AHEAD- ST. LOUIS AREA DIAPER BANK- OUR FAMILY'S DOING YOGA- ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL- ALIVE AND WELL COMMUNITIES- REFUGE AND RESTORATION- CORNERSTONE REALTY- SAINT LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH- JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF ST. LOUIS- PREVENTED- ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION-ST. LOUIS STAKEHOLDER FOCUS GROUPS: MHSL CONDUCTED TWO STAKEHOLDER FOCUS GROUPS WITHIN KEY HIGH-NEEDS SERVICE AREAS IN THE COMMUNITY: FERGUSON, MISSOURI, AND MEACHAM PARK, A NEIGHBORHOOD OF KIRKWOOD, MO. EACH FOCUS GROUP INCLUDED COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND LEADERS WHO REPRESENT THE BROAD INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. PLEASE SEE THE LISTS BELOW FOR EACH FOCUS GROUP'S PARTICIPANTS:FERGUSON / NORTH COUNTY:- DR. ART MCCOY, PHD, REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL- GIGI MACMULLAN, REFUGE AND RESTORATION NONPROFIT- JASON ACKLIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, SALVATION ARMY, FERGUSON- MAYOR ELLA JONES, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FERGUSON- NAQUITTIA NOAH, COUNCILPERSON FOR 3RD WARD OF FERGUSON- REBECCA ZOLL, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NORTH COUNTY INC. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION- JENNIFER DERNER, MANAGER OF AMBULATORY SOCIAL WORK FOR MERCY CLINIC OUTPATIENT CARE MANAGEMENT- SOPHIA EASTERLING, PRACTICE MANAGER, MERCY CLINIC FERGUSON- JOY WEIDNER, CORNERSTONE STL MEACHAM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, KIRKWOOD: - OFFICER GARY BALDRIDGE, COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER, KIRKWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT - HARRIET PATTON, PRESIDENT, MEACHAM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION - WALLACE WARD, COUNCILMAN, KIRKWOOD CITY COUNCILSECONDARY DATA: THE FOLLOWING EXTERNAL SOURCES OF PUBLISHED DATA WERE USED AS PART OF THE COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA DURING THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS:- CAMBRIA N, FEHLER P, PURNELL JQ, SCHMIDT B. SEGREGATION IN ST. LOUIS: DISMANTLING THE DIVIDE. ST LOUIS, MO: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS, 2018. - COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS AND ROADMAPS, 2021: HTTPS://WWW.COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG/ - HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030, 2022. HTTPS://HEALTH.GOV/HEALTHYPEOPLE- LOWN HOSPITALS INDEX, 2022: HTTPS://LOWNHOSPITALSINDEX.ORG/RANKINGS/ - MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SENIOR SERVICES DATA & STATISTICS, 2022: HTTPS://HEALTH.MO.GOV/DATA/- ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS ASSESSMENT, 2022. - ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. THINK HEALTH ST. LOUIS, 2022: HTTPS://WWW.THINKHEALTHSTL.ORG/- ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. ST. LOUIS CHA/CHIP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (2019-2024), 2018. - ST. LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION. PROGRESS TOWARD A HEALTHIER ST. LOUIS: ACCESS TO CARE DATA BOOK, 2019. - U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 2020 CENSUS RESULTS, 2020: HTTPS://WWW.CENSUS.GOV/
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      Part V, Section B, Line 5: MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTONMERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON AND LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL COLLABORATED IN CONDUCTING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR FRANKLIN, WARREN AND GASCONADE COUNTIES IN 2022. THE FOLLOWING METHODS WERE USED TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS:1. COMMUNITY SURVEY - A SURVEY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY VIEW AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH ISSUES. VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROMOTED THE SURVEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE ALSO DISTRIBUTING THE SURVEY ELECTRONICALLY TO THEIR CO-WORKERS, PATIENTS, CLIENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY EMAIL AND THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. 446 RESPONSES WERE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL ANALYTIC SAMPLE2. COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUPS - DISCUSSIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS TO DELVE DEEPER INTO INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES WITH HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES PARTICIPANTS CONVENED DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THE STATE OF HEALTH IN THE WASHINGTON REGION. KEY COMMUNITY HEALTH ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED WHETHER THEY WERE CLINICAL IN SCOPE (DIABETES) OR NON-CLINICAL (ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD). THEN THE GROUP TALKED THROUGH CURRENTLY AVAILABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES ALONG WITH THE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING THESE BENEFITS. FINALLY, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS BRAINSTORMED FUTURE SOLUTIONS TOWARDS THE TOP NEEDS THAT INCLUDED EXPANDING/INCREASING CURRENT PROGRAMS OR DEVELOPING NEW INITIATIVES. 3. SECONDARY DATA RESEARCH - INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND HEALTH STATUS PUBLISHED BY ESTABLISHED SOURCES INCLUDING: - U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 2020 CENSUS RESULTS. HTTPS://WWW.CENSUS.GOV/ - U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, 2019. HTTPS://WWW.CENSUS.GOV/PROGRAMS-SURVEYS/ACS/DATA.HTML THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE HTTP://WWW.COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG/
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 6a: Mercy Hospital Washington
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      Part V, Section B, Line 6a: Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 6b: St. Louis County Department of Public Health and the Franklin County Health Department
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      Part V, Section B, Line 6b: St. Louis County Department of Public Health and the Franklin County Health Department
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 11: In conjunction with the CHNA, Mercy Hospital St. Louis's board adopted an implementation strategy in FY23 related to the 2021 CHNA. Mercy Hospital St. Louis will address the following community health needs beginning in FY23:- Access to Care- Behavioral Health- Maternal and Child Health- Trauma-Informed CareAll of these needs will be approached through a lens of health equity, with a particular concern with racial disparities in health outcomes in our region. These priorities align with regional priorities identified through the STLPHC:- Address the social determinants of health as root causes of community health- Eliminate the disparities in health and promote health and racial equity- Improve the local public health system to be able to collectively address the needs of the regionMercy Hospital St. Louis is committed to aligning strategic efforts around the four priority areas with the objectives of the STLPHC through participation and engagement with regional action teams, forming in November 2022. Mercy Hospital St. Louis will not formally address two of the identified regional priorities: - Housing: Though MHSL will not directly address housing as a part of the CHNA process, through intentional partnerships with strategic community organizations, MHSL will continue to impact housing needs in the community. MHSL is engaged in the Hospital to Healthy Housing Initiative of the Catholic Charities of St. Louis and supports a Housing Coordinator from the St. Patrick Center to connect unhoused patients who present in the Emergency Department with resources and support. Mercy is also engaged in Project BEACN, and with partner agencies Places for People and the Behavioral Health Network, connects patients with complex care needs with wraparound support, including housing. - Violence: The Violence Prevention Action Team, led by the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, leads regional efforts to reduce violence, particularly gun-related homicides and nonfatal shooting accidents. While MHSL will not be directly engaged in this work, our commitment to trauma-informed care will support the community in addressing the consequences of interpersonal violence, including gun violence. Mercy Hospital St. Louis & Washington's Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP), can be accessed here: https://www.mercy.net/forms/community-benefits/. Some notable achievements to addressed the prioritized needs during the 2021 (FY22) year include: Mercy Hospital St. Louis- The Community Health Worker (CHW) program, which was piloted beginning in 2018 and adopted and expanded across Mercy hospitals in 2019, was further integrated into Mercy Hospital St. Louis' Emergency Department through the piloting of a new social needs screening program beginning in December 2020. New workflows were adopted to screen all uninsured/self-pay ED patients for pressing social needs, with referrals then made to one of three (3) CHWs serving the hospital. CHWs serve three primary functions in the Emergency Department: to connect patients in to community resources for social needs, to assist patients with applying for Medicaid, market place insurance, disability or hospital charity care, and to collaborate with Community Referral Coordinators to establish patients with primary care. CHWs also collaborate closely with Patient Access Representatives, the Care Management team and social workers, to ensure continuity of care and improve quality of life. Mercy Hospital St. Louis also hired a CHW to serve the Ferguson community, through integration within Mercy Clinic Ferguson, which opened in July 2021. Prior to the clinic's opening, this co-worker worked to build relationships with local agencies, stakeholders, non-profits and individuals, to dedicate time to COVID-19 education and planning of vaccination events, and to help assess community needs. Once the clinic opened its doors, the CHW continued community engagement and worked collaboratively with clinic staff to connect patients to community resources for social needs; to assist patients with applying for Medicaid, marketplace insurance, disability, or hospital charity care, particularly to remove barriers to accessing the clinic; to support patients in navigating the health care system, including specialty care; to help plan and implement a prescription assistance program, a nutrition support program, holiday outreach programs, and Narcan outreach; and to coordinate community classes at the clinic's education space. In FY22, MHSL CHWs served unique 2,547 patients through 6,433 encounters, reaching nearly 35% of all self-pay patients coming through the ED.- Through partnership with the Integrated Health Network, MHSL's Community Referral Coordinator connects patients from inpatient units and/or the emergency department with a primary care home for follow-up and preventative care. The CRC focuses on serving underinsured and uninsured patients; however, they work with all patients in need of a medical home. In the first half of FY22, the CRC had 844 patient encounters, with 67% of patients maintaining scheduled primary care appointments. - Through partnership with Behavioral Health Network, Mercy Hospital St. Louis supported several behavioral health programs for Emergency Department and inpatients: -Emergency Room Enhancement Project (ERE) and the Youth Emergency Room Enhancement Project (Y-ERE): focus on enhancing support for adult and youth high utilizers of ER with the primary goal of reducing preventable hospital contacts across the region by fostering engagement through support, intensive outreach and improving outcomes through connection to community. In FY22, 282 referrals were made into the ERE and Y-ERE programs, with 77% of patients engaging in care following referral. -Engaging Patients in the Care Coordination Program (EPICC): provides intensive referral and linkage services by Recovery Coaches, peers with lived experience, to impact those who have overdosed on opioids to establish immediate linkages to substance use and medication assisted treatment services. Out of the 110 referrals made to the EPICC program in FY22, 76% of patients were connected to treatment and support for substance use disorder. -Mercy Hospital St. Louis also engaged in Hospital Community Linkages (HCL) Project: focuses on enhancing transitions from hospital inpatient psychiatric care settings to community care at the region's safety-net Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). In FY22, 140 patients were successfully scheduled for appointments at these CMHCs, and 80% of appointments were kept. -Implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and co-worker staffing in Mercy's East region. However, since May 2020, 113 referrals were made to DPP, with 17 participants successfully completing the program. Two CHWs were trained in the DPP curriculum in order to support Mercy's diabetes prevention efforts within our underserved populations. -Continuing in collaboration with Generate Health, Mercy Hospital St. Louis served as a partner on the Infant Health Action Team and provided a letter of support for renewed funding and ongoing commitment for Generate Health's Safe Sleep initiative. This initiative is also supported by Barnes Jewish Hospital and SSM Health in decreasing Maternal/Child Health and infant mortality rates by addressing disparities. -Recognizing the ongoing economic hardship, stress and emotional trauma that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring to individuals and families and understanding that it is often the most vulnerable that are impacted the most in times of crisis, Mercy continued to engage with community partners in COVID-19. In particular, individuals experiencing homelessness may be at increased risk of infection and complication from the COVID-19 virus. Community Health Leaders across Mercy's hospitals worked with local partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans for safely discharging COVID-19 patients to a designated location if they do not require hospitalization but lack housing. At Mercy Hospital St. Louis, the Community Health Leader collaborated with local social service and homeless serving agencies and healthcare providers in order to successfully enact a plan that aligns local resources with regional protocols. Other community services offered by Mercy Hospital St. Louis during the COVID-19 pandemic include: -Community COVID-19 testing sites -Community-based mass vaccination event in North St. Louis County, in partnership with Southeast Ferguson Community Association (SEFCA) and Riverview Gardens School District -Community education materials and events, focusing on racial inequity(See Part V, Section B continuation)
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      "Part V, Section B, Line 11: In conjunction with the CHNA, Mercy Hospital East Washington's board adopted an implementation strategy in FY23 related to the 2021 CHNA. Mercy Hospital East Washington will address the following community health needs beginning in FY23:- Housing Instability- Substance Use / Mental Health- Obesity The following needs are not being addressed by Mercy Hospital Washington: - Internet: Mercy will not take a lead role on this issue as there are some limitations to the organization's partnerships in this area as a Catholic Health System. However, partnership discernment will continue to address this issue through collaborative work with local public and private organizations- Transportation: Work with public and private organizations to provide assistance to and from medical appointments.In the category of Physical Environment, MHW has chosen Transportation, under the Access to Care priority. Collaboration with local coalitions addressing homelessness and housing will continue as will Mercy's support of industry, government, non-governmental organizations and the public in addressing air and water quality in our area.Mercy Hospital St. Louis & Washington's Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP), can be accessed here: https://www.mercy.net/forms/community-benefits/. Some notable achievements to addressed the prioritized needs during the 2021 (FY22) year include: Mercy Hospital Washington -Community Health Worker Program -In FY21, Mercy Hospital Washington's CHW assisted 794 patients through 1,840 unique encounters. 76% of patients were uninsured, and 16% were either on Medicaid or were Medicaid pending. -Mercy Hospital Washington supported several behavioral health programs in partnership with the Behavioral Health Network: -Emergency Room Enhancement Project and the Youth Emergency Room Enhancement Project: focus on enhancing support for adult and youth high utilizers of ER with the primary goal of reducing preventable hospital contacts across the region by fostering engagement through support, intensive outreach and improving outcomes through connection to community -Engaging Patients in the Care Coordination Program (EPICC): provides intensive referral and linkage services by Recovery Coaches, peers with lived experience, to impact those who have overdosed on opioids to establish immediate linkages to substance use and medication assisted treatment services -Recognizing the ongoing economic hardship, stress and emotional trauma that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to individuals and families and understanding that it is often the most vulnerable that are impacted the most in times of crisis, Mercy continued to engage with community partners in COVID-19 response. In particular, individuals experiencing homelessness may be at increased risk of infection and complication from the COVID-19 virus. Community Health Leaders across Mercy's hospitals worked with local partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans for safely discharging COVID-19 patients to a designated location if they do not require hospitalization but lack housing. Mercy Hospital Washington engaged in the Jefferson and Franklin County COVID-19 Homeless Response Taskforce to coordinate efforts around supporting the homeless during the pandemic and worked closely with local partners in the Franklin Homeless Taskforce (HTF). -Mercy Hospital Washington Social Workers continued establishing ED patients with Primary Care Physicians for follow-up care and educating the patient on possibly more affordable options when needing care. -Mercy Hospital Washington facilitated the Winter Warming Overnight Center to prevent those sleeping outside from freezing to death with the American Inn within Washington. -Mercy Hospital Washington, in partnership with the Multi-County Drug Task Force and Franklin County Sheriff's Office, continued training first responders in several counties so that they could begin carrying and utilizing Narcan to revive overdosed patients while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The local Mercy hospital stored the Narcan in their pharmacyAdditional needs being addressed by the Mercy Hospital St. Louis and Mercy Hospital Washington include: -Violence: Domestic, Elderly, Child Abuse, and TraffickingMHSL - MHSL and Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments (ALIVE), a St. Louis based domestic violence agency, have implemented Project HOPE, the only program in the St. Louis area that allows domestic violence survivors to file for, and potentially have granted, orders of protection while still in a hospital setting. Information regarding ALIVE's programming and services is distributed throughout MHSL, with Spanish translations provided to better reach patients who speak limited English. MHW - MHW works closely with domestic violence, sex trafficking and family services agencies, such as Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments (ALIVE) and local law enforcement to ensure patients are given safe choices while in a hospital setting. Mercy has begun safety awareness and educational campaigns which includes internal training videos, restroom resource posters, and the incorporation of a safety screening/referral question which cues up in each patient's Mercy's Electronic Medical Record (EMR).- Obesity/Poor Nutrition/Physical InactivityMHSL & MHW - Although neither chose healthy lifestyles as a priority community health need to be addressed, Mercy has focused on its own coworkers, 10,000+ in the East Community, as a start to addressing this need. A robust initiative, Mercy's Healthification program, provides comprehensive health evaluation, screening, education, and incentives to increase healthy behaviors and improve health among Mercy coworkers. Mercy Clinic also offers a variety of programs and services to address chronic conditions and a healthy lifestyle.- Chronic Conditions: Heart Disease, Diabetes, or Asthma and AllergiesA significant concern relating to chronic conditions is the disparity in health outcomes and treatment for Blacks/African Americans and Whites/Caucasians. MHSL recently signed an American Hospital Association Health Equity pledge and is beginning to implement ""Call to Action"" goals aimed at identifying and, subsequently, addressing areas of health disparity and service gaps. As the leader in St Louis County for newborn deliveries, MHSL has decided to take on the significant issue of health equity by beginning with maternal/child health disparities and addressing some of the region's needs with low-birth-weight babies. Mercy has also committed to addressing health equity in the Inner North region community of Wellston; Mercy is outlining a collaborative community plan to address overall health equity with these community members.- Cancers and Tobacco UseMHSL & MHW Community cancer screenings and education continue to be offered regionally. Efforts to address tobacco cessation will continue through Mercy's Certified Health and Wellness Coach/Mercy Road to Freedom program though Mercy's Cardiopulmonary Rehab area."
      Mercy Hospital St. Louis
      Part V, Section B, Line 20e: Other areas from a notice perspective: FAP is posted in all registration areas, full policy and plain language document posted on website, plain language document is available when requested, there is a notice on statement, and all patients get three statements before they can go to a collection agency.
      Mercy Hospital Washington
      Part V, Section B, Line 20e: Other areas from a notice perspective: FAP is posted in all registration areas, full policy and plain language document posted on website, plain language document is available when requested, there is a notice on statement, and all patients get three statements before they can go to a collection agency.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11 CONTINUATION
      MHSL & MHW Community cancer screenings and education continue to be offered regionally. Efforts to address tobacco cessation will continue through Mercy's Certified Health and Wellness Coach/Mercy Road to Freedom program though Mercy's Cardiopulmonary Rehab area.
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 7A
      https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/chna/st-louis-chna-2022.pdf
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 10A
      https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/chip/mercy-st-louis-chip-2023.pdf
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 7A
      https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/chna/washington-chna-2022.pdf
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 10A
      https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/chip/mercy-washington-chip-2023.pdf
      Form 990, Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 22
      ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR CHARITY CARE DISCOUNTS THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR INCOME ARE THE BASIS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR CHARITY CARE DISCOUNTS. FOR EXAMPLE, INDIVIDUALS WITH INCOMES 200% OR BELOW, THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE CARE. INDIVIDUALS WITH INCOMES GREATER THAN 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR MOST COMMUNITIES, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR CARE AT DISCOUNTED RATES DEPENDING ON THEIR INCOME LEVEL AND/OR THE AMOUNT DUE TO THE HOSPITAL. TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNTS THAT CAN BE CHARGED TO FAP-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS FOR EMERGENCY OR OTHER MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE, THE HOSPITAL FACILITY USES AMOUNTS GENERALLY BILLED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE INSURANCE COVERING SUCH CARE. THE HOSPITAL USES A LOOK BACK METHOD THAT CONSIDERS DISCOUNTS ALLOWED TO MEDICARE AND ALL PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS.
      Supplemental Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
      Part I, Line 7g:
      SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICESThe physician clinics are included as a net amount (income less expenses) allocated by the Clinical Service line in the Indirect cost.
      Part I, Ln 7 Col(f):
      TOTAL EXPENSES FROM FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A) ARE $1,391,555,217. INCLUDED IN THIS AMOUNT WAS BAD DEBT EXPENSE (CHARGES) OF $77,346,205. EXPENSES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING LINE 7, COLUMN (F) ARE $1,314,209,012.
      PART I, LINE 6A
      COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTTHE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS PREPARED BY ITS ULTIMATE PARENT ENTITY, MERCY HEALTH (EIN: 43-1423050).
      Part II, Community Building Activities:
      MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS (MHSL) AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON'S (MHW) COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES PROMOTE THE HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ON COMMUNITY BOARDS, NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY COALITIONS, AND INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY-BASED EVENTS, MERCY BUILDS PARTNERSHIPS TO DEVELOP COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS. SOME OF THESE COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS:- ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY- REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION- ST. LOUIS INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK - PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS- ST. LOUIS PROMISE ZONE- ST. PATRICK CENTER- CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS COALITIONS: ST. LOUIS COUNTY, ST. LOUIS CITY AND ST. CHARLES, WARREN & LINCOLN COUNTIES - HOSPITAL TO HEALTHY HOUSING- UNITED WAY 2-1-1 ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND EMERGENCY FUND NETWORKMERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON:- FRANKLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT- UNITED WAY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - FOUR RIVERS YMCA- WASHINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY RESOURCE BOARD- FOUNDATIONS FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY- COMPASS HEALTHIN ADDITION, MERCY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL COALITIONS THAT ALIGN WITH EACH HOSPITAL'S CHNA TOP HEALTH PRIORITIES OF ACCESS TO CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HEALTH EQUITY (MHSL) INCLUDING:- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK HOSPITAL COMMUNITY LINKAGES (HCL) PROGRAM- NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI)- INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK TRANSITIONS OF CARE- FLOURISH/GENERATE HEALTH- REGIONAL DIABETES COALITION- ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT- ST. LOUIS CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT- FOUNDATIONS FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY- FRANKLIN COUNTY SERVICE PROVIDERS GROUP- FRANKLIN COUNTY HOMELESS TASK FORCE- MULTI-COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE & FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICEEXAMPLES OF ONGOING PROJECTS LED BY THE COALITIONS LISTED ABOVE INCLUDE:- MHSL ADOPTION OF THE HCL PROGRAM WHICH FOCUSES ON ENHANCING TRANSITIONS FROM HOSPITAL INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE SETTINGS TO THE REGION'S COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS - FLOURISH TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM FOCUSES ON IMPROVING BIRTH OUTCOMES THROUGH: PRENATAL CARE, INFANT HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, HEALTH COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATION AND TRANSPORTATION - COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REGIONS HOSPITALS, HEALTH CENTERS AND DIABETES SPECIALIST WORKING TO IMPLEMENT ONE COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE HUB FOR ALL THING'S DIABETES.- MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MULTI-COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE AND FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVED TRAINING SO THAT THEY COULD BEGIN CARRYING AND UTILIZING NARCAN TO REVIVE OVERDOSED PATIENTS WHILE WAITING FOR THE AMBULANCE TO ARRIVE.EFFORTS WITH THESE COALITIONS WILL CONTINUE AS MHSL AND MHW HAVE DETERMINED THAT ACCESS TO CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE) TO BE TOP HEALTH PRIORITIES THROUGH THE 2022-2024 CHNA CYCLE, ALONG WITH MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH (MHSL, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE (MHSL), HEALTH EQUITY (MHSL), HOUSING INSTABILITY (MHW) AND OBESITY (MHW). CASH/IN-KIND DONATIONSMERCY PROVIDES CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF CO-WORKER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES. THESE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ALLOW MERCY CO-WORKERS TO LOOK BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE FACILITIES IN WHICH THEY SERVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.DURING FY22, CASH DONATIONS WERE GIVEN TO ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING: - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK- CATHOLIC CHARITIES- REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION- CANCER CARE FOUNDATION- BEYOND HOUSING- AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY- NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS- GENERATE HEALTH STL- ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION- FOUNDATIONS FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY- ST. LOUIS CRISIS NURSERY- SUSAN G. KOMEN FOUNDATION- MARCH OF DIMES- COLON CANCER FOUNDATION- AUTISM SPEAKS- NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION- CASA DE SALUD- CHIPS HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER- WASHINGTON ROTARY- FRANKLIN COUNTY UNITED WAY A FULL DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.MERCY.NET/FORMS/COMMUNITY-BENEFITS/
      Part III, 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.
      Part III, 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.
      Part III, Line 8:
      IT IS THE POSITION OF MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES THAT 100% OF ANY SHORT FALL, when applicable, 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)
      Part VI, Line 5:
      PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTHMERCY PROVIDES QUALITY MEDICAL HEALTH CARE REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, HANDICAP, AGE OR ABILITY TO PAY. MERCY IS A CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE CORPORATION THAT, PURSUANT TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL CORE BELIEF, THAT HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE A VITAL AND INTEGRAL PART OF THE CHURCH'S HEALING MISSION, ENGAGES IN A MINISTRY WHICH PROVIDES GENERAL ACUTE CARE, AMBULATORY, LONG-TERM AND HOME CARE HEALTH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ITS COMMUNITIES. MERCY OFFERS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS WHICH FURTHER HEALTH PROMOTION, MAINTENANCE AND CARE TO THE COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS PROVIDED TO MEET THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE SUPPORT GROUPS, OUTREACH EVENTS, BLOOD DRIVES, AND CO-WORKER WORKDAYS. MERCY IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH INCLUDES REPRESENTATION FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM A VARIETY OF SECTORS. ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST SURVEY. ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSED ARE REVIEWED AND RESOLVED. THIS PROCESS ENSURES THAT PUBLIC, RATHER THAN PRIVATE INTERESTS ARE SERVED. SURPLUS FUND AND UNRESTRICTED ASSETS HELD ARE REINVESTED IN PATIENT CARE, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES WHICH SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO DELIVER COMPASSIONATE CARE AND EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES.OPEN MEDICAL STAFFMEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES ARE EXTENDED TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR NEARLY ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS. MHSL HAS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS WITH PHYSICIAN GROUPS FOR RADIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY SERVICES, NEONATOLOGY, ANESTHESIA, AND CV SURGERY. MHW HAS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS WITH PHYSICIAN GROUPS FOR RADIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY AND ANESTHESIOLOGY. THIS MEANS THAT OVER 90% OF THE PHYSICIANS ON STAFF ARE IN CATEGORIES THAT ARE OPEN TO QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY.COMMUNITY BOARDS FY22MERCY HEALTH EAST COMMUNITIES FY22 BOARD MEMBERSDON ARNOLD, M.D.KELLY BAIN, M.D.JON BAUER, PHDCRAIG BOYD, MDMATUSKCHKA LINDO-BRIGGSAPOLLO CAREYJANICE DENIGANDENNIS GANNONKATHERINE GLOSENGER, RSMSR. MICHAEL MARY GUTOWSKI, RSMSR. MIRIAM NOLAN, RSMSUSAN O'CONNOR, RSMJOHN PORTERWINTHROP B. REED, IIICHARLES REHM, M.D.KEVIN SHORT MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS FY22 BOARD MEMBERSGINGER ANDREWS, RSMJAMES BOYD, MDSARA HANNAHPAUL HINTZE, MDKRISTIN JOHNSONDAVID MEINERS, MDSTEVE O'LOUGHLINCASSANDRA SANFORDJOAN SCHAFFER, MDMARY STIEVENMERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON FY22 BOARD MEMBERSKURT VOSSLB ECKELKAMPJOHN MORONEYGARY DUMONTIER, MDGRETCHEN KLUESNER, M.D.ANTHONY KREUTZDARREN LAMBDENNIS COLEMANTAMMY WATZ, M.S.N., F.N.P.SISTER GAYLE EVANS, RSMSISTER CABRINI KOELSCH, RSMWILLIAM L. MILLER SR.BENJAMIN VERDINE MDTHOMAS RIECHERS, M.D.USE OF SURPLUS FUNDSSurplus funds and unrestricted assets held by Mercy Hospitals East Communities are reinvested in patient care initiatives which support the organization's mission to deliver compassionate care and exceptional health care services to the communities it serves. Examples include the following: - Providing financial assistance to patients who have no other means to cover their cost of care - Providing drug assistance to patients receiving high-cost drug therapies administered in Mercy's outpatient infusion center or oral drugs purchased through Mercy's retail or specialty pharmacy services - Investment in social workers and community health workers including dedicated resources to advocate for and assist low-income individuals and families and women's services social workers to serve the St. Louis community with goal of producing healthy pregnancy doctor visits, deliveries and post-partum care - Continued investment in innovative technology and services to provide excellent care to our patients in their community, including the following: - Acquisition of new robotic hybrid platform for Mercy St. Louis Cardiovascular Surgical services. This platform utilizes artificial intelligence and clinical expertise to deliver innovative solutions allowing surgeons to provide advanced precision healthcare with reduced procedure times and improved patient outcomes - Completion of construction and installation of Proton Therapy services at Pratt Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. This was a multi-year project. Proton Therapy more accurately targets tumors and cancer cells, reducing the risk of radiation damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs - Upgrades and renovation of surgical suites at Mercy Hospital Washington to provide this community local access to upgraded and efficient surgery space - Investment in new CT equipment at Hazelwood imaging center to provide local access to updated imaging technology for the North County community - Investment in additional 3D Mammography units to provide greater access for annual screenings. This technology makes it easier for physicians to detect breast cancer early - Continued funding of graduate medical education program (provides residency training in family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, dental medicine, orthopedics and critical care) and schools of radiology, respiratory and clinical laboratory science.ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE/INFORMATIONCURRENTLY NOT INCLUDED THROUGH THE REPORTING OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT OR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ARE:IN KEEPING WITH MHEC'S COMMITMENT TO SERVE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, MHEC CLINICS (NOT UNDER HOSPITAL EIN) PROVIDE:- FREE CARE AND/OR SUBSIDIZED CARE- CARE TO PERSONS COVERED BY GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS AT BELOW COST- HEALTH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND- A VARIETY OF BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.MANY OF THE PROGRAMS MENTIONED BELOW ARE PART OF OUR CURRENT COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPACT PLAN (CHIP). THESE ARE INDICATED BY ASTERISKS.NUMEROUS COLLECTION DRIVES BY CO-WORKERS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THE ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, BUS PASSES, GAS CARDS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND OTHER CRITICAL ITEMS ARE DONATED TO NON-PROFIT AGENCIES TO DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR CLIENTS. MERCY NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY (MNM) MERCY EAST COMMUNITYMERCY NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY IS A DEPARTMENT THAT SUPPORTS THE SERVICE AREAS OF MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS, MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. IT FOCUSES ON CONNECTING THE ECONOMICALLY UNDERSERVED WITH APPROPRIATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AS WELL AS OVERALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ACCESS THROUGH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION OF CURRENT PROGRAMS. MNM PARTNERS WITH OVER 100 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, CLINICS, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. NEARLY HALF OF ITS ANNUAL EXPENSES ARE OFFSET THROUGH MERCY FOUNDATION. ACCESS TO CARECOMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER* (CHW)CHWS SCREEN PATIENTS FOR SOCIAL NEEDS USING STANDARDIZED QUESTIONNAIRES, REFER PATIENTS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND ASSIST PATIENTS IN OBTAINING MERCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, MEDICAID, AND ESTABLISHING A PRIMARY CARE HOME. CHWS ASSIST WITH DIRECT REFERRALS AND SCREENING OF UNINSURED PATIENTS IN THE ED AND/OR MEET WITH PATIENTS PREVIOUSLY SEEN IN THE ED AT THE HOSPITAL OR IN THE COMMUNITY. THE AIM IS TO SCREEN ALL UNINSURED PATIENTS VISITING THE ED.COMMUNITY REFERRAL COORDINATOR* - MHSLMERCY CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THE ST. LOUIS INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK (IHN) IN PROVIDING A CONTRACTED COMMUNITY REFERRAL COORDINATOR (CRC) IN THE MHSL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO CONNECT DISCHARGED PATIENTS WITH NEEDED FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE. THE CRC PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON MEDICAID AND UNINSURED PATIENTS TO:- ENSURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A PRIMARY CARE HOME AND HEALTH RESOURCES REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY- REDUCE NON-EMERGENT USE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND LOW ACUITY READMISSIONS- ENHANCE CONTINUITY OF CARE- STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS/PROCESSES AMONG HOSPITAL, SAFETY NET AND OTHER PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES/PROGRAMS.THE POSITION IS FUNDED BY THE IHN AND IS A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM BETWEEN MERCY, THE IHN AND OTHER AREA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO IMPROVE ACCESS, QUALITY AND TRANSITIONS OF CARE. TRANSPORTATION MHW*AS A COMMUNITY WITHOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ONGOING DISCUSSIONS AND RESEARCH ARE TAKING PLACE IN HOPES OF PARTNERING WITH AFFORDABLE PROVIDERS TO BENEFIT OUR PATIENTS IN NEED ACROSS FRANKLIN COUNTY. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN TO 400 PATIENTS IN THE FORM OF CAB FARE, GAS CARDS, CONTRACTED PROVIDERS AND MERCY SHUTTLE. CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ZIPCARE TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR PREVENTING MISSED APPOINTMENTS. See Part VI, Question 5 Continuation
      Part VI, Line 7, Reports Filed With States
      MO
      COVID-19
      Please see Schedule O for information related to COVID-19.
      Part III, Line 4:
      THE TEXT OF THE FOOTNOTE THAT IS INCLUDED IN MERCY HEALTH AND SUBSIDIARIES AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT DESCRIBES BAD DEBT EXPENSE FOLLOWS: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.
      Part III, Line 9b:
      MERCY'S 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 FOR ALL COMMUNITIES EXCEPT JOPLIN, MAUDE NORTON, CARTHAGE AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS. THIS PRESUMPTIVE SCREENING PROCESS DETAILS EVALUATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO PATIENT BILLING AND ADDITIOANLLY PRIOT TO BAD DEBT PLACEMENT. THE PRESUMPTIVE SCREENING WAS PER ENCOUNTER AND DID NOT PROMOTE ANY LOOK-BACK ADJUSTMENTS.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. 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 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 OCCUR PRIOR TO ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTIONS ARE PURSUED.
      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 organization's financial assistance policy through several means. If at any time a patient expresses hardship and inability to pay, the accounts is placed for review. In addition, patient 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 when presenting in the facilities. In addition to the web address providing the application, policies, and even how uninsured accounts are handled. Lastly, the statements (billing) includes messaging 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.
      Part VI, Line 2:
      MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON IN 2021, MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON CONDUCTED REGIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (CHNA). PRESIDENTS FROM THE HOSPITALS LED THEIR CORRESPONDING COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS IN GUIDING THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS. THE COUNCILS CONVENE QUARTERLY AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENSURING THAT COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES MEET MISSION COMPLIANCE AND IRS GUIDELINES. THEY CONSIST OF MERCY LEADERS FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, FINANCE, CARE MANAGEMENT, PHILANTHROPY, ETC., AND ONE HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBER. THE COUNCILS DETERMINE WHICH HEALTH INITIATIVES WILL BE PUT FORTH IN THE HOSPITAL'S THREE-YEAR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP).CO-WORKERS IN MERCY'S COMMUNITY HEALTH & ACCESS DEPARTMENT SERVE ON THE COUNCILS AND WERE PRIMARY LEADS OF THE CHNAS. AS NOTED IN PART V, SECTION B, THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY AND FRANKLIN COUNTY WERE CENTRAL TO THE HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS. MHSL AND MHW GATHERED COMMUNITY INPUT DIRECTLY THROUGH SURVEYS AND FOCUS GROUPS. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE STLPHC, MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS ALSO HAD ACCESS TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA COLLECTED THROUGH THEIR MOBILIZING FOR ACTION THROUGH PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS (MAPP) ASSESSMENTS: THE COMMUNITY THEMES AND STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT (CTSA), THE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM ASSESSMENT, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS ASSESSMENT (CHSA), AND THE FORCES OF CHANGE ASSESSMENT (FCA). THE CTSA IN PARTICULAR INCLUDED FOURTEEN (14) LISTENING SESSIONS, TWO (2) SURVEYS, AND TWELVE (12) FOCUS GROUPS CONDUCTED WITH RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. EXTERNAL SOURCES OF PUBLISHED DATA INCLUDE:- COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS WWW.COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG- COMMUNITY DATA PROFILES & MISSOURI INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (MICA) HTTP://HEALTH.MO.GOV/DATA/COMMUNITYDATAPROFILES/INDEX.HTML- CDC COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS INDICATOR REPORT HTTP://WWWN.CDC.GOV/COMMUNITYHEALTH/PROFILE/CURRENTPROFILE/MO/FRANKLIN- COMMUNITY COMMONS HTTP://WWW.COMMUNITYCOMMONS.ORG/- EXPLOREMOHEALTH HTTPS://EXPLOREMOHEALTH.ORG/ - HEALTH EQUITY WORKS HTTPS://HEALTHEQUITYWORKS.WUSTL.EDU/- ST. LOUIS COUNTY 2017 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT HTTP://WWW.THINKHEALTHSTL.ORG/CONTENT/SITES/STLOUISCO/CHA_REPORTS/ST_LOUIS_2017_CHA_2018_CHIP_SUMMARY_REPORT_FINAL_2.PDF- PROGRESS TOWARD BUILDING A HEALTHIER ST. LOUIS 2018 ACCESS TO CARE REPORTHTTPS://1S4G6C1YLXER1LI24CN557F1-WPENGINE.NETDNA-SSL.COM/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/SITES/63/2019/06/ATC-DATA-BOOK-3.21.19-FINAL.PDF - UNITED WAY 211 COUNTSHTTPS://211MO.211COUNTS.ORG/PRIORITIZED SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDSTHE NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE WAS USED IN THE PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS. THE MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS WERE PRESENTED WITH THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH DATA AND MEMBERS WERE ASKED TO RANK THESE HEALTH ISSUES BY LEVEL OF CONCERN AND ABILITY TO COLLABORATE ON THE ISSUE TO PRODUCE RESULTS. THE STRENGTHS AND SERVICES OF THE HOSPITALS ALONG WITH THEIR STRATEGIC PLANS WERE ALSO CONSIDERED. UPON REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA GATHERED, THE HOSPITALS' STRATEGIC PLANS, AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THE HOSPITALS AND IN THE COMMUNITIES, THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES WERE SELECTED:MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS: - ACCESS TO CARE- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH- MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH- TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE- HEALTH EQUITYMERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON:- HOUSING INSTABILITY- SUBSTANCE USE / MENTAL HEALTH- OBESITYTHE COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS THEN CREATED COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLANS (CHIP) FOR THEIR HOSPITAL, IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC INITIATIVES RELATED TO IMPROVING EACH OF THESE HEALTH PRIORITIES. THE CHIPS WERE DESIGNED WITH REALISTIC, MEASURABLE, AND ATTAINABLE GOALS THAT ALIGN WITH THE MISSION AND STRATEGY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS. MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON ALSO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH REQUESTS BY LOCAL AGENCIES. ACCORDING TO THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION, A REQUEST FROM A PUBLIC AGENCY OR COMMUNITY GROUP TO INITIATE OR CONTINUE AN ACTIVITY OR PROGRAM MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY NEED. MERCY LEADERS SERVING ON THE BOARDS OF UNITED WAY 2-1-1 AND THE INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK ARE EXAMPLES OF OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS BASED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S REQUEST FOR SUPPORT.
      Part VI, Line 4:
      MERCY HOSPITALS EAST COMMUNITIES INCLUDES MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS AND MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON. THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA FOR MERCY HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS INCLUDES 209 ZIP CODES ACROSS MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS DERIVED FROM THE ADVISORY BOARD DEMOGRAPHICS AND MO/HIDI ANALYTICS 2021-2022. THE AREA'S POPULATION IS 2,769,559. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $66,000. 43.1% OF THE POPULATION IS 45 AND OLDER. 92% OF THE POPULATION IS A HIGH SCHOOL GRAD OR GREATER AND THE MEDIAN AGE IS 39. 18.8% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ARE ON MEDICARE, 17.6% ON MEDICAID, AND 7.2% UNINSURED. THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA FOR MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON INCLUDES 21 ZIP CODES SOUTHWEST OF ST. LOUIS. THE AREA'S POPULATION IS 153,254. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $60,000. 46.4% OF THE POPULATION IS 45 AND OLDER. 88% OF THE POPULATION IS A HIGH SCHOOL GRAD OR GREATER AND THE MEDIAN AGE IS 40. 22.1% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ARE ON MEDICARE, 17.4% ON MEDICAID, AND 10.1% UNINSURED.
      Part VI, Line 6:
      "AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEMTHE 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 ARKANSAS, 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, 2022, MERCY FACILITIES INCLUDED 30 ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS, 5 HEART HOSPITALS, 5 REHAB HOSPITALS, 2 CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS, 2 ORTHOPEDIC HOSPTIALS, AND 1 VIRTUAL CARE COMMAND CENTER. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022, MERCY HAD MORE THAN 10.4 MILLION OUTPATIENT AND PHYSICIAN OFFICE VISITS, APPROXIMATELY 2,300 EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS, AND APPROXIMATELY 42,000 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."
      Part VI, Question 5 continuation
      MENTAL HEALTHERE*THE EMERGENCY ROOM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM BEGAN JULY 2017 AT MHSL AND EXPANDED TO MHW IN 2018. THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY MISSOURI MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT FACILITIES, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO COORDINATE CARE FOR THE WHOLE PERSON BY ADDRESSING BEHAVIORAL, PHYSICAL, AND BASIC NEEDS. THE PRIMARY GOALS OF ERE ARE TO PREVENT REPEATED ED VISITS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS, AS WELL AS INCREASE RATES OF HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION ENROLLMENT. MHSL ENROLLED 94 ADULT PATIENTS IN 2018 AND MHW ENROLLED 7 IN ITS FIRST SIX MONTHS. MHSL ALSO OFFERS THE PROGRAM TO YOUTH AND ENROLLED 23 IN 2018. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK OF GREATER ST. LOUIS - PEER MENTORS ARE PAIRED WITH ED PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR CRISIS. THEY BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND HELP COACH THESE PATIENTS TO BUILD HEALTHIER COPING SKILLS WHICH ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE AND REDUCE ED READMISSIONS. HCL*HOSPITAL COMMUNITY LINKAGES PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2017 IN MHSL AS PART OF A REGIONAL RESPONSE TO PROVIDE ACUTE AND EMERGENCY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. USING A DESIGNATED LIAISON PER PROVIDER, THE INPATIENT PROJECT IDENTIFIES AND REFERS POTENTIAL CONSUMERS, FACILITATES THE REFERRAL AND ENSURES DISCHARGE DOCUMENTATION IS TRANSFERRED FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE. IN 2018, 115 PATIENTS WERE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM THROUGH MHSL. THE PROGRAM IS UNAVAILABLE IN MHW.ALIVE AND WELL IN STL* - MHSL ALIVE AND WELL STL IS A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT STARTED BY THE REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION THAT FOCUSES ON REDUCING THE IMPACT OF TOXIC STRESS AND TRAUMA ON A PERSON'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. MERCY ACTS AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND WORKS TO CREATE A MORE TRAUMA AWARE/INFORMED COMMUNITY THROUGH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND ANALYZING BEST PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. SUBSTANCE USEPDMP MHSL & MHWAS MISSOURI IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM (PDMP), ADVOCACY EFFORTS CONTINUE TO APPEAL TO THE STATE. PROVIDER EDUCATION CONTINUES TO PROMOTE USING THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY/MULTI-COUNTY SYSTEM IN PLACE.INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP) - MHW* MERCY HOSPITAL WASHINGTON OPENED AN IOP IN DECEMBER 2014. IT PROVIDES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OUTPATIENT CARE FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY DISORDERS AND CONSISTENTLY RUNS NEAR CAPACITY AND ACCEPTS INSURED AND UNINSURED ADULT AND ADOLESCENT PATIENTS. MERCY ROAD TO FREEDOM MHSL & MHWTHIS PROGRAM WAS OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY AND MERCY CO-WORKERS AS A TELEPHONIC, ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH A SPECIALTY TRAINED COUNSELOR TO STOP USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS. PHYSICIANSMERCY HEALTH SYSTEM HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF CLINICS, PHYSICIAN OFFICES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE EAST COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A HOSPITAL EIN. THESE CLINICS AND FACILITIES PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION (I.E., STUDENT SHADOWING) AND PROVIDE IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. JFK & MCAULEY HEALTH CENTERS MHSL & MHWTHESE HEALTH CENTERS OFFER COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE TO A DIVERSE POPULATION OF OVER 10,000 PATIENTS WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED. WITH MORE THAN 60,000 PATIENT VISITS EACH YEAR, SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL, OBSTETRICAL, GYNECOLOGICAL AND PEDIATRIC CARE AND ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INCLUDING COUNSELING AND TREATMENT, DISCOUNTED PHARMACY SERVICES, AND VISION AND DENTAL CARE. THE CHARITY CARE AND UNREIMBURSED COST OF MEDICAID COMMUNITY BENEFIT FIGURES FOR THESE ENTITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE OVERALL CHARITY CARE FOR MHEC AND NOT LISTED SEPARATELY. THE WORK OF THESE MERCY PROVIDERS WHO SERVE THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT DESCRIBED IN ANY AREA OF THIS REPORT.