View data for this organization below, or select additional hospitals to create a comparison view.
Compare tax-exempt hospitals

Search tax-exempt hospitals
for comparison purposes.

HealthAlliance Hospital Mary's Ave Campus

Benedictine Hospital
105 Marys Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Bed count222Medicare provider number330224Member of the Council of Teaching HospitalsYESChildren's hospitalNO
EIN: 141338470
Display data for year:
Community Benefit Spending- 2021
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
25.5%
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$ 180,746,679
      Total amount spent on community benefits
      as % of operating expenses
      $ 46,082,688
      25.50 %
  • Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
      • Financial Assistance at cost
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 2,638,255
        1.46 %
        Medicaid
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 20,595,691
        11.39 %
        Costs of other means-tested government programs
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Health professions education
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 1,402,979
        0.78 %
        Subsidized health services
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 21,302,641
        11.79 %
        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.
        $ 143,122
        0.08 %
        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: 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
        $ 2,889,897
        1.60 %
        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 2021 data and subsequent years, the web tool will also be updated to reflect the new wording and requirements. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this section, we encourage you to contact your tax-exempt hospital directly.

      • Does the organization have a written financial assistance (charity care) policy?YES
        Did the tax-exempt hospital rely upon Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to determine when to provide free or discounted care for patients?YES
        Amount of the tax-exempt hospital’s bad debt (at cost) attributed to patients eligible under the organization’s financial assistance (charity care) policy
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
    • Did the tax-exempt hospital, or an authorized third party, take any of the following collection activities before determining whether the patient was eligible for financial assistance:
      • Reported to credit agencyNot available
    • Under the ACA, states have the choice to expand Medicaid eligibility for their residents up to 138% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Medicaid expansion provision of the ACA did not go into effect until January 2014, so data in this web tool will not reflect each state's current Medicaid eligibility threshold. For up to date information, please visit the Terms and Glossary under the Resources tab.

      • After enactment of the ACA, has the state in which this tax-exempt hospital is located expanded Medicaid?YES
    • The federal poverty guidelines (FPG) are set by the government and used to determine eligibility for many federal financial assistance programs. Tax-exempt hospitals often use FPG guidelines in their Financial Assistance policies to determine which patients will qualify for free or discounted care.

      • If not, is the state's Medicaid threshold for working parents at or below 76% of the federal poverty guidelines?Not available
    • In addition to the federal requirements, some states have laws stipulating community benefit requirements as a result of tax-exemption. The laws vary from state to state and may require the tax-exempt hospitals to submit community benefit reports. Data on this web tool captures whether or not a state had a mandatory community benefit reporting law as of 2011. For more information, please see Community Benefit State Law Profiles Comparison at The Hilltop Institute.

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

    Community Health Needs Assessment Activities: 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 $ 147297291 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 143930355)
      TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ALL PATIENTS. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE HOSPITAL'S COMMITMENT OF THE VALUES OF HOSPITALITY, COMMUNITY, STEWARDSHIP, RESPECT, PEACE, EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBLITY. HEALTHALLIANCE MARY'S AVENUE CAMPUS RECORDED 26,357 PATIENT DAYS AND 3,212 SURGERIES (INPATIENT 705 & AMBULATORY 2,507). HEALTHALLIANCE MARY'S AVENUE CAMPUS OFFERS VARIOUS OUTPATIENT SERVICES SUCH AS SLEEP LAB, CHEMOTHERAPY, PSYCH SERVICES, BREAST CENTER AND ALL RADIOLOGIC SERVICES (CT, ULTRASOUND & CARDIAC CATH). TOTAL VISITS FOR THESE SERVICES IN 2021 WERE APPROXIMATELY 122,000 (INCLUDING COVID LABS AND VACCINATIONS).
      Facility Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3e
      The priorities consist of focus areas that impact 6 of the 8 health concerns for Ulster County outlined in the Mid-Hudson Regional Community Health Assessment 2019-2021. The New York State Prevention Agenda outlines two other priority areas that were not selected as priorities for HealthAlliance Hospital 2019-2021 Community Service Plan: Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment and Prevent Communicable Diseases. Although all of these merit focus for improving population health, they were not selected due to the limited amount of resources available to address these issues and the relative severity of need demonstrated for the priority areas that were chosen.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5
      HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley was an active member of a comprehensive 7-County Community Health Assessment which includes 17 hospitals and the local health departments of all 7 counties from the Hudson Valley. HealthAlliance staff was heavily involved in the collaboration and contributed $25,000 towards the cost of the assessment. The assessment process began in November 2017 with a meeting convened by HealtheConnections with hospitals, health systems, performing provider systems, and LHDs to discuss the benefits of collaborating on a Regional Community Health Assessment. After collective consensus, we then moved to hire Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) in December of 2017 to conduct a random sample community health survey of the Mid-Hudson Region to assess the health status and concerns of its residents. The work and collaboration continued through 2019 that ultimately led to the Mid-Hudson Region Community Health Assessment 2019-2021 (CHA). The survey administered by Siena was designed to conduct a random digit dial regional community health survey to supplement the Regional Community Health Assessment. In order to gauge the perception of residents surrounding health and resources in their communities, responses from 5,372 residents of the Mid-Hudson Region were collected. To further supplement the data collected, members of the Collaborative held 12 focus groups with service providers to understand the needs of specific communities and populations, and the barriers they face to achieving optimal health. These efforts covered feedback from underrepresented populations such as low-income, veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ members, and people with a mental health diagnosis or those with a substance use disorder. In addition, before the focus groups took place, a Stakeholder Interview Form was sent to providers in order to supply additional insight around local factors influencing community health. This survey covered several topics, including the populations the providers serve; the issues that affect health in the communities they serve; barriers to people achieving better health; and interventions that are used to address social determinants of health. Throughout the seven counties in the Mid-Hudson Region, 285 surveys were completed by service providers. The answers to the survey varied throughout each county, and these differences were expanded upon in the focus groups.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A
      The CHNA was conducted with HealthAlliance Hospital (both Broadway and Mary's Avenue Campuses) and Ellenville Hospital.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B
      HealthAlliance worked very closely with Ellenville Hospital and Ulster County Departments of Health and Mental Health (UCDOH-MH), Institute of Family Health, and hundreds of organizations serving its residents throughout Ulster County.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7A
      The CHNA has been widely available to the public through HealthAlliance's website: HTTPS://WWW.HAHV.ORG/COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENTS AND A PAPER COPY IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE HOSPITAL. PAPER COPY IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE HOSPITAL.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 10A
      HealthAlliance has adopted an implementation strategy that will address the significant community health needs outlined in the hospital's CHNA which can be found on our website at https://www.hahv.org/community-health-needs-assessments under 'Ulster County' HealthAlliance/Ulster County Community Service Plan and Implementation Plan; both for 2019-2021.
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11
      "Through the collaboration and partnership with Ulster County Departments of Health and Mental Health (UCDOH-MH), Ellenville Regional Hospital, and health and human service agencies, HealthAlliance Hospital, in accordance with New York State Prevention Agenda mandate, has chosen to align with our community partners in focusing on three priority areas: a. Prevent Chronic Diseases b. Promote Healthy Women, Infants, and Children c. Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders The priorities consist of focus areas that impact 6 of the 8 health concerns for Ulster County outlined in the Mid-Hudson Regional Community Health Assessment 2019-2021. The New York State Prevention Agenda outlines two other priority areas that were not selected as priorities for HealthAlliance Hospital 2019-2021 Community Service Plan: Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment and Prevent Communicable Diseases. Although all of these merit focus for improving population health, they were not selected due to the limited amount of resources available to address these issues and the relative severity of need demonstrated for the priority areas that were chosen. AREAS OF FOCUS: In accordance with our Mid-Hudson Region Community Health Assessment 2019-2021, there were eight identified health needs which include cardiovascular disease, suicide, diabetes, teen pregnancy, housing, transportation, tobacco use, and infant mortality. The Mid-Hudson CHA was a collaborative effort with Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), Nuvance Health, Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative, Montefiore Nyack Hospital, Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall, Orange Regional Medical Center, a member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, and St. Joseph's Medical Center. HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, a member of WMCHealth, decided to address the county's health needs through the following implementation plan in guidance of NYS Prevention Agenda which you'll find below. In addition, we've outlined all the programs that will be spearheading the following implementation plans. 2019 - 2021 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN NYS prevention agenda priority area: Prevent chronic diseases Focus area 3: Tobacco prevention Prevention agenda goal 3.1: Prevent initiation of tobacco use Objective 3.1.6: Increase the number of municipalities that adopt retail environment policies, including those that restrict the density of tobacco retailers, keep the price of tobacco products high, and prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products Evidence based intervention: 3.1.3 Pursue policy action to reduce the impact of tobacco marketing in lower-income and racial/ethnic minority communities, disadvantaged urban neighborhoods and rural areas. 3.1.4 Keep the price of tobacco uniformly high by regulating tobacco company practices that reduce the real price of cigarettes through discounts. 3.1.5 Decrease the availability of flavored tobacco products including menthol flavors used in combustible and non-combustible tobacco products and flavored liquids including menthol used in electronic vapor products. Disparity addressed: Low-income, racial/ethnic minorities, and disadvantaged urban and rural communities NYS prevention agenda priority area: Prevent chronic diseases Focus area 4: Chronic disease preventative care and management Prevention agenda goal 4.1: Increase cancer screening rates Objective 4.1.3: Increase the percentage of adults who receive a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines (ages 50 - 75) Evidence based intervention: 4.1.5 Remove structural barriers to cancer screening such as providing flexible clinic hours, offering cancer screening in non-clinical settings (mobile mammography vans, flu clinics), offering on-site translation, transportation, patient navigation and other administrative services and working with employers to provide employees with paid leave or the option to use flex time for cancer screenings. Disparity addressed: Low-income, racial/ethnic minorities, seniors and disadvantaged urban and rural communities NYS prevention agenda priority area: Prevent chronic diseases Focus area 4: Chronic disease preventative care and management Prevention agenda goal 4.4: In the community setting, improve self-management skills for individuals with chronic diseases, including asthma, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and prediabetes and obesity Objective 4.4.1: Increase the percentage of adults with chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma, cvd, diabetes, ckd, cancer) who have taken a course or class to learn how to manage their condition Evidence based intervention: 4.4.2 Expand access to evidence-based self-management interventions for individuals with chronic disease (arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity) whose condition(s) is not well-controlled with guidelines-based medical management alone. Disparity addressed: Low-income, racial/ethnic minorities, seniors and disadvantaged urban and rural communities NYS prevention agenda priority area: Promote healthy women, infants, and children Focus area 2: Perinatal and infant health Prevention agenda goal 2.2: Increase breastfeeding Objective 2.2.1: Increase the percentage of infants who are exclusively breastfed in the hospital by 10% from 47.0% (2016) to 51.7% among all infants Evidence based intervention: 2.2.2: Promote and implement maternity care practices consistent with the baby friendly hospital initiative - ten steps to successful breastfeeding Disparity addressed: Low-income, racial/ethnic minorities NYS prevention agenda priority area: Promote well-being and prevent mental and substance use disorders Focus area 2: Mental and substance use disorders prevention Prevention agenda goal 2.3: Prevent and address adverse childhood experiences (aces) Objective 2.3.3: Increase communities reached by opportunities to build resilience by at least 10 percent Evidence based intervention: 2.3.3: Grow resilient communities through education, engagement, activation/mobilization and celebration Disparity addressed: Socio-economic, regional, and LGBTQ communities Tobacco Free Action Communities Tobacco Free Action Communities in Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan (formerly SmokeFree Dutchess and Tobacco Free Action Coalition of Ulster) is part of a network of statewide partners working to support New York State's tobacco-free goal. Each partner consists of a community engagement component and a youth action component (branded as Reality Check). Partners work to reduce the negative impact of tobacco product marketing and price promotions on youth and adults at the point of sale, increase the number of local laws and voluntary policies that prohibit tobacco use in outdoor areas, decrease secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing, with an emphasis on policies that protect the health of low-income residents, and promote policies that reduce tobacco use imagery in youth-rated movies, and on the Internet and social media. Oncology Support Program The HealthAlliance Oncology Support Program, a member of Westchester Medical Health Network, is a unique support community for those affected by cancer. The program offers counseling, support groups and compassionate professionals who visit cancer patients while they are in the hospital. We also offer a comprehensive outpatient service to patients and their caregivers in the nurturing environment of the Herbert H. and Sofia P. Reuner Cancer Support House which is perceived as a ""home away from home"" by cancer survivors and their loved ones. Diabetes Education Center The HealthAlliance Diabetes Education Center, a member of Westchester Medical Health Network, is committed to providing individuals with skills and knowledge to manage diabetes and prevent diabetic complications. At the center we host training and education programs and offer information resources for our community. The Diabetes Educational Program offered is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting its high-educational standards and for offering quality self-management diabetes education. Family Birth Place HealthAlliance Hospital: Broadway Campus is the only designated Baby-Friendly birth facility between Albany and Westchester County. The designation, widely considered ""the gold standard"" of maternity practices, means the hospital is nationally credentialed for meeting or exceeding international standards for providing optimal newborn care, including immediate mother-baby bonding and breastfeeding for the best health of the baby and the mother. We at the Family Birth Place believe that every childbearing experience is unique and that every woman is entitled to a joyful and healthy birth experience which is why our beautiful unit is designed to make your delivery a safe, natural and comfortable experience. We offer many proven methods of low intervention labor management such as birthing balls, hydrotherapy tub"
      PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16A, B AND C
      The hospital's financial assistance policy and application are available at the following link: https://www.hahv.org/financial-assistance
      Supplemental Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
      PART I, LINE 7: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT COST
      The hospitals' costing methodology was based upon worksheet 2 of the IRS 990 instructions. The cost-to-charge ratio was used for the various sub-line items of line # 7.
      PART I, LINE 7G: SUBSIDIZED SERVICES
      The costs on line 7g do not include any costs attributable to physician clinics.
      Part III, Line 2: Methodology Used to Estimate Amount of Bad Debt Expense
      The amount reported on line 2 is equal to the provision for bad debt expense per the audited financial statements (AFS). The explanation of the methodology used to estimate this amount can be found in footnote #2 on pages 19-22 of the attached Audited Financial Statements.
      Part III, Line 4: Description of Bad Debt Expense
      The text of the footnote that describes bad debt expense can be found on pages 19-22 of the attached Audited Financial Statements.
      Part III, Line 8: Costing Methodology
      The costs on line 6 were taken directly from the cost report costs (D & E & I-series, where applicable) plus lab fee schedule costs and payments less subsidized services & Medicare losses which were taken from Exhibit 46 of the New York State Institutional Cost Report. For both hospital campuses, there were no shortfalls from Medicare for 2021, therefore, there is no consideration for a community benefit.
      PART III LINE 9B: COLLECTION PRACTICES
      The credit and collection policy for self-pay balances provides that, in some cases, non-insured patients that do not qualify for Medicaid qualify for charity care. In those instances, the credit and collection department will follow the guidelines as set forth in the charity care policy. The charity care policy provides that the financial counselor evaluates the information provided in patients' charity care applications in conjunction with federal income poverty guidelines to determine the write-off percentage. If the patient/guarantor qualifies for charity care based on the sliding scale, the patient will be required to pay the outstanding amount. A payment plan is established not to exceed 10% of the guarantor's gross monthly income.
      PART VI, LINE 2: COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
      "For the community-based strategies, HealthAlliance will continue to actively participate in a work group consisting of the public health department and health partners for the purposes of maintaining engagement with local partners over the during the period of this CHNA. Initially, meetings will be held throughout the year; however, frequency will be revisited throughout the timeframe to ensure that the meetings are meeting the needs of all partners. METHODOLOGY AND PROCESS In 2017, HealthAlliance entered into a collaboratively 7-county partnership to create a regional community health assessment (CHA) which was led by the representatives from HealthEconnections. This process included 17 local hospitals and 7 county health departments which ultimately developed the regional community health assessment survey for the purpose of creating the CHA and inform future health improvement efforts in the Mid-Hudson region. The survey is ultimately designed to include questions to collect information on several initiatives put forward by the NYS Department of Health and NYS Prevention Agenda 2019-2024. Survey data collection, analysis, and charting were provided by a team from SCRI who administered a random digit dial survey by phone which took place between April and September 2018, utilizing both landline and mobile phone numbers to reach respondents. Results were then weighted by gender, age, race, and regional according to the US census. Although the Mid-Hudson region community health survey collected responses from a randomized sample of over 5,000 Hudson valley residents, there are some populations that may not be accounted for in this survey. Some of these underrepresented populations include low income, veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ members, and people with a mental health diagnosis. In order to ensure that the needs of these populations were met, focus groups were conducted with providers that serve these populations in each of the seven counties. The term ""providers"" refers to those who offer services such as mental health support, vocational programs, and programs for underserved populations. Before the focus groups took place, a survey was sent out to providers within each county in order to supply additional insight around local factors influencing community health. This survey covered several topics including the populations the providers serve, the issues that affect health in the communities they serve, barriers to people achieving better health, and interventions that are used to address social determinants of health. Throughout the seven counties in the Mid-Hudson region, 285 surveys were completed by service providers. The answers to the survey varied throughout each county, and these differences were expanded upon in the focus groups."
      PART VI, LINE 7: STATE FILING OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT
      NEW YORK
      PART VI, LINE 3: PATIENT EDUCATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE
      "The hospital informs the patient of the availability of charity care several ways: 1. notice is on every patient bill with an application on the back of the bill 2. on the hospital website 3. all members of the patient accounting department are trained to screen patients for charity care when discussing bills and concerns regarding inability to pay 4. fliers are posted in registration areas of the hospital 5. registration clerks will identify patients without a pay source and refer the patient to a financial counselor and hand the patient a financial assistance form 6. financial counselors assist patients in securing Medicaid and screen for charity care 7. the collection agencies that HealthAlliance of Hudson Valley (""HAHV"") engages with are aware of the charity care policy and assist patients in applying up to 180 post-placement with them HealthAlliance is committed to: - providing access to quality healthcare services with compassion, dignity and respect for those we serve, particularly the poor and the underserved in our communities. - caring for all persons, regardless of their ability to pay for services. - assisting patients who cannot pay for part or all of the care they receive. - balancing needed financial assistance for some patients with broader fiscal responsibilities in order to sustain viability and provide the quality and quantity of services for all who may need care in a community. In accordance with the american hospital assocation recommendations, HealthAlliance adopted the following guiding principles when handling the billing, collection and financial support functions for our patients: - provide effective communications with patients regarding hospital bills - make affirmative efforts to help patients apply for public and private financial support programs - offer financial support to patients with limited means - implement policies for assisting low-income patients in a consistent manner - implement fair and consistent billing and collection practices for all patients with patient payment obligations HealthAlliance effectively communicates with patients regarding patient payment obligations. Financial counseling is provided to patients about their payment obligation and hospital bills. Information on hospital-based financial support policies and external programs that provide coverage for services are made available to patients during the pre-registration and registration processes and in response to patients seeking financial assistance. Information regarding the financial assistance is also provided by the onsite financial counseling staff in both inpatient and outpatient areas. Patient accounting also supports the financial counseling program by providing patients with information and applications while handling customer service calls. Our financial counselors and county Medicaid workers also provide guidance regarding the financial assistance program when necessary. Financial assistance is available on the back of every hospital bill as well as the hospital website at www.hahv.org. Financial counselors make affirmative efforts to help patients apply for public and private programs for which they may qualify and that may help them obtain and pay for healthcare services. The patient does not need to have an account with the hospital; they just have to be in a situation in which they are in need of insurance coverage. Every effort is made to determine a patient's eligibility prior to or at the time of admission or service. However, determination for financial support can be made during any stage of the patient's stay after stabilization or collection cycle. HealthAlliance offers financial support to patients with limited means. This support is available to uninsured and underinsured patients who do not qualify for public programs or other assistance. Notification about financial assistance, including contact information, is available through the hospital website, hospital posters and flyers, financial assistance applications and hospital statements. The financial assistance policy (FAP) and application are available on our website at https://www.hahv.org/financial-assistance and are supplied in both English and Spanish as well as plain language summary format. If additional assistance is needed, HealthAlliance offers translation services for patients. HealthAlliance has an established written policy for the billing, collection and support for patients with payment obligations. The organization makes every effort to adhere to the policy and is committed to implementing and applying the policy for assisting patients with limited means in a professional, consistent manner. Educated staff members work closely with patients (including those working in patient registration and admitting, financial assistance, customer service, billing and collections) about these policies with an emphasis on treating all patients with dignity and respect regardless of their insurance status or their ability to pay for services. All patient registration staff receives in-service training regarding the financial assistance program. Patient accounting also receives information about the program and how to handle patients seeking financial assistance. Financial counselors receive in depth training to handle financial assistance requests, process applications, and manage outcomes. HealthAlliance provides several options for patients who either do not have insurance coverage or who have inadequate insurance coverage. Our many programs have been very successful and many have taken advantage of our offerings. Financial counseling offers a patient the opportunity to speak to a financial counselor to determine what assistance can be accessible based on family income. Patients often shop around for the most economical healthcare and we offer price quotes. This allows the patient to know their financial obligation up front and understand the competitive pricing being offered. Despite millions of dollars of charity care distributed to needy patients every year, a consistent challenge is patients not utilizing the programs we offer. Often, they don't want to provide the necessary financial information to initiate the financial aid process. Continual outreach and education will be ongoing to minimize confusion and improve utilization. HealthAlliance is committed to providing the best possible healthcare and is very sensitive to low income patients' ability to pay. The call center offers the convenience of calling one telephone number for all billing inquiries regardless of which hospital the patient is calling about."
      PART VI, LINE 4: COMMUNITY INFORMATION
      HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), operates a 315-hospital-bed health care system comprising HealthAlliance Hospital Mary's Avenue campus and HealthAlliance hospital Broadway campus in Kingston, NY, and the Margaretville Hospital in Margaretville, NY. It also operates Mountainside Residential Care Center, an 82-bed nursing home in Margaretville adjacent to Margaretville Hospital. HealthAlliance is guided by the needs of its patients and their families. HealthAlliance delivers the best health care of the highest value in a safe, compassionate environment; invests in innovative technologies and leading-edge therapies to advance health care delivery; and improves the overall health and well-being of the diverse communities it serves. HealthAlliance defines its primary service area (PSA) by a federal definition that consists of the top 75% of hospital discharges from the lowest number of contiguous zip codes. Due to the geographical location of acute care hospitals under HealthAlliance, there are two distinct primary service areas that lie within Ulster and Delaware counties, though not encompassing all of each county. Although defined as two service areas, HealthAlliance regards it as a single primary service area for operational community need development. According to the 2020 Census, the population for Ulster County was 178,371 with populations concentrated in the cities of Kingston, New Paltz and Saugerties. Patients from adjacent counties also visit the hospital or one of our outpatient locations for services that may not be available in their respective communities. Ulster County's percentage of adult smokers from 2013 to 2016 decreased from 21.1% to 15.2%. In addition, Ulster County reported a higher percentage of cigarette smoking among those with poor mental health compared to those who indicated not having poor mental health (24.5% vs 15.2%). Although cigarette use has been decreasing over time, the use of electronic vapor products, also known as e-cigarettes, has increased dramatically. Ulster County is monitoring the use of vaping, especially among the young people of the county. According to the NYSDOH, the use of e-cigarettes among high school youth increased 160% over the past 4 years. The data show a surge in binge drinking, going from 10.5% of adults reporting binge drinking in 2013-2014, to more than double that at 22.2% in 2016. Ulster County continues to show the highest rates of binge drinking compared to the region and New York State. Lastly, authorities in Ulster County have recently been focusing attention on the increasing incidence of opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Overdoses have more than doubled in the most recent five-year span measured. Overdose deaths have increased 447% since 2010, and most deaths occur in those aged 18-44 years.
      PART VI, LINE 5: PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
      Please see narrative for Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 11 for a complete description of how the organization's hospital facilities further its exempt purposes by promoting the health of the community. In addition, 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic created a greater need and focus on community health care. HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and the WMCHealth Network took a leading role in the Hudson Valley on the dissemination of information surrounding COVID-19, educating the community and providing community testing. Working in full partnership with New York State Department of Health, we transferred all patient care services out of our Mary's Avenue Campus so New York State could have it available for a COVID-19 surge hospital for the Hudson Valley. Our staff were tireless in the efforts to provide the highest quality of care to COVID-19 patients, while at the same time managing the loss of elective procedures as decreed by Executive Order. In all of our efforts we focused on the hardest to reach individuals and communities. We coordinated closely in all of our COVID-19 messaging, outreach, and direct care with New York State Department of Health, Delaware County Department of Health, and Ulster County Department of Health, other hospitals, healthcare providers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. We provided detailed and ongoing information and messaging for community organizations, employers, and municipal governments. We participated at all levels of governments and with numerous community organizations on COVID-19 planning, preparedness, and response efforts. In addition to all the efforts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, HAHV's clinical and community relations teams provide ongoing outreach, education and programming services to the communities it serves. HAHV participated in well over a hundred community events in 2021 which included such things as: hosting a wide variety of cancer support groups, providing bike helmet safety fittings, lending clinical expertise to community meetings and roundtables on health care issues (i.e. substance abuse, behavioral health care, pre-natal care, diabetes, etc.). We also distributed information on public health issues such as Lyme Disease and Wound Care at numerous community events. Healthy cooking classes were offered to our patients and the communities to assist individuals in taking an active role in their ongoing health and wellness.
      PART VI, LINE 6: AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
      HealthAlliance, Inc (HA) is the parent company to affiliate members HealthAlliance Mary's Avenue Campus, Broadway Campus, Margaretville Memorial Hospital, a rural critical access hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center, a skilled nursing facility. This integrated healthcare system is committed to providing quality and compassionate medical care for our patients, their families and our community. In addition to service consolidation between the two Kingston hospitals, HAHV also committed to streamlining operations and improving care at the other affiliate locations. In September of 2020, the consolidation of HAHV Broadway Campus to the Mary's Ave Campus' operating license. It is expected for the newly renovated, consolidated hospital to open at Mary's Ave by the last quarter of 2022.