Community Benefit Insight - Tax-exempt hospital

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Little Falls Hospital

Little Falls Hospital

140 Burwell Street
Little Falls, NY 13365

Bed count	25	Medicare provider number	331311	Member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals	NO	Children's hospital	NO

EIN: 150533578

Display data for year:

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

8.68%

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.
Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:

Financial Assistance at cost as % of operating expenses	$ 176,527 0.47 %
Medicaid as % of operating expenses	$ 3,076,073 8.15 %
Costs of other means-tested government programs as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Health professions education as % of operating expenses	$ 4,479 0.01 %
Subsidized health services as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Research as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Community health improvement services and community benefit operations* as % of operating expenses Note: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.	$ 18,563 0.05 %
Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit* as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Community building* as % of operating expenses	$ 50,448 0.13 %

* = CBI denoted preventative categories

Community building activities details:

Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities?	YES
Number of activities or programs (optional)	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
Persons served (optional)	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
Community building expense as % of operating expenses	$ 50,448 0.13 %
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	$ 0 0 %
Community health improvement advocacy as % of community building expenses	$ 0 0 %
Workforce development as % of community building expenses	$ 50,448 100 %
Other as % of community building expenses	$ 0 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	$ 0 0 %
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:
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.
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.
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.

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 $ 8546679 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 7716574)
INPATIENT SERVICES64% OCCUPANCY FOR AN AVERAGE DAILY INPATIENT DAILY CENSUS OF 16 PATIENTS. AS A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL (CAH) PROVIDER, OUR INPATIENT DAILY SERVICES INCLUDE; OBSERVATION CARE, EXTENDED SWINGBED REHAB SERVICES, AND ACUTE CARE SERVICES. THIS DIVERSITY OF PATIENT CARE ALLOWS FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO REMAIN LOCAL FOR MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES. IN 2021, ACUTE CARE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 4.2 DAYS COMPARED WITH 3.3 IN 2020.

4B (Expenses $ 12465983 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 11663086)
"LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL OPERATES AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH TWENTY FOUR HOURS OF PHYSICIAN COVERAGE, SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK. THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PROVIDED ACCESS TO CARE FOR APPROXIMATELY 13,832 PATIENTS IN 2021. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL EXPANDED THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATED IN A NYS MEDICAID ACCELERATED EXCHANGE (MAX) PROGRAM TO REDUCE AVOIDABLE VISITS TO AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION A PARTNERSHIP WITH SALVATION ARMY AND THEIR COMMUNITY ""PATHWAY TO HOPE"" PROGRAM WAS FORMALIZED TO ASSIST IN PATIENT CARE MANAGMENT ACTIVITIES. THESE SERVCIES EMBEDDED IN OUR EMERGENCY ROOM PROVIDES ASSITANCE FOR PATIENTS TO MAKE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, OBTAIN INSURANCE COVERAGE, OR APPLY FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS."

4C (Expenses $ 11275768 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 20487163)
TOTAL AMBULATORY OUTPATIENT SERVICE VISITS WERE APPROXIMATELY 29,848 IN 2021. OUR AMBULATORY SERVICES INCLUDE REHAB / WELLNESS PROGRAM, AMBULATORY SURGERY / GI SERVICES, WOMENS IMAGING SERVICE, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES, RURAL HEALTH CLINIC RIMARY CARE SERVICES.

Facility Information

Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL COLLABORATED WITH BASSETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE'S MOHAWK VALLEY POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO IDENTIFY STAKEHOLDERS FOR COMPLETING THE 2019 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROVIDES THE HOSPITAL, LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND KEY INFORMANTS WITH DATA AND RESPONSES SO THAT THEY MAY IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE, AND ADDRESS HEALTH CARE CHALLENGES FACING THEIR COMMUNITIES. MVPHIP COLLABORATED WITH HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, HERKIMER COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING, AND LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL TO COMPILE A LIST OF KEY INFORMANTS IN THE SERVICE REGION. THOSE KEY INFORMANTS REPRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF SECTORS, COMMUNITY INTERESTS, AND INCLUDED ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME, AND MINORITY POPULATIONS. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL, HERKIMER COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING, AND HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH INVITED KEY INFORMANTS TO ATTEND A HERKIMER COUNTY DATA PRESENTATION AND TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON THEIR PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS BASED ON THE 2019-2024 NEW YORK STATE PREVENTION AGENDA ACTION PLANS. THOSE KEY INFORMANTS WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON WERE SENT THE INFORMATION ELECTRONICALLY AND ASKED TO FILL OUT A SHORT SURVEY.HERKIMER COUNTY OFFICE OF THE AGINGHERKIMER COUNTY OFA'S ADVISORY COUNCILHERKIMER COUNT LEGISLATORSHERKIMER COUNTY ADMINISTRATORBRIAN MILLER, NYS ASSEMBLYLITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY OUTREACHHERKIMER COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTCENTRAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE BLINDHERKIMER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITYHOSPICE OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIESCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIESTOWN OF HERKIMERHERKIMER COUNTY CLERKCHRIS REYNOLDS, PRESIDENT HEALTHNETVALLEY HEALTH SERVICESMOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCYARC HERKIMERHERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTHLITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL 15-0533578REGIONAL PRIMARY CARE NETWORKCORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF HERKIMER COUNTYRCIL (LIFE@RCIL)JOHN SCARANO COMMUNITY MEMBERSHERKIMER COUNTY BOCESBRIDGES TO PREVENT TOBACCOHERKIMER COUNTY DSS COMMISSIONERLITTLE FALLS HOSPITALHERKIMER COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESCATHOLIC CHARITIES OF HERKIMER COUNTY

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS DEVELOPED AS PART OF A MULTI-HOSPITAL PLANNING PROCESS IN COORDINATION WITH BASSETT HEALTHCARE RESEARCH, BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK, AND BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER AND LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL. LEAD COMMUNITY AGENCY WAS HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) INLCUDED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS: HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, HERKIMER HEALTHNET, HERKIMER COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH, BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER, LEATHERSTOCKING COLLABORATIVE HEALTH PARTNERS, MOHAWK VALLEY POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND CANCER CENTER SERVICES OF ONEIDA, MADISON, AND HERKIMER COUNTY.

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: THE LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) WORKING WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE, WELL BEING FOR LIMITING MENTAL HEALTH EPISODIC EVENTS, AND IMPROVING A HEALTH SAFETY LIFESTYLE.THE CHRONIC CARE DISEASE MANAGEMENT WILL USE MORE METHODS TO COMMUNICATE WITH RESIDENTS AND PROVIDERS FOR TRACKING PREVENTATIVE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR PREVENTATIVE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE. THE WELL BEING INITIATIVES WILL UNITE EFFORTS TO BUILD TRUSTWORTHY RELATIONSHIPS FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING SUPPORTS LEVELS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. OUR INITIATIVE TO HAVE A HEALTHIER AND SAFER LIVING ENVIRONMENT EXTENDS TO MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF HEALTH CARE INTERACTIONS. WE WILL FOCUS ON EDUCATION OF AGE COHORTS TO HAVE A HEALTHIER AND SAFER HOME, AND LIFESTYLE. THESE THREE INITIATIVES ARE SUPPORTED BY THE COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY ASSETS OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE ADOPTED AND PARTNERED WITH LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL AND HERKIMER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.THE ESTABLISHED WORKPLAN WILL BE THE GUIDELINES FOR MONITORING PROGRESS AND ALIGNMENT OF SERVICES TO MEET THESE OBJECTIVES. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT BUILDS UPON THE PRIOR PLAN OF 2016 - 2018. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDED PROMOTING MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PREVENTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE, REDUCING OBESITY IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN, PREVENTING DIABETES, AND PREVENTING HEART DISEASE. THE PROGRESS TO DATE REFLECTS THE STRONG COMMITMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ACROSS MANY STAKEHOLDERS. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL, BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER, AND OTHER LOCAL HEALTH PROVIDERS HAVE INCREASED USE OF MEDIA TO IMPROVE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ACCESS FOR SCREENING SERVICES, USE OF CLINICAL EDUCATORS ON THE BENEFITS OF HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND PARTNERING WITH PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THEIR USE OF SCREENINGS FOR CHRONIC CARE ILLNESS.LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL WILL PARTNER WITH HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ON STRENGTHENING RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH BEHAVIORAL PATIENTS. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY UNDERSTAFFED WITH CLINICAL PROVIDERS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WORKING WITH THE LEATHERSTOCKING COLLABORATIVE HEALTH PARTNERS, PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS ARE PERFORMING MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AND TRACKING INFORMATION IN THE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD. THIS ALLOWS FOR PRIMARY CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO COLLABORATE ON MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLANS. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL, BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER, AND HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ARE COORDINATING RECRUITMENT OF ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL IS A PARTNER IN THE LEATHERSTOCKING COLLABORATIVE HEALTH PARTNERS (LHCP), LLC. THIS ORGANIZATION REPRESENTS A REGIONAL ORGANIZATION, ESTABLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, UNDER A CMS REFERENCED DELIVERY SYSTEM REFORM INCENTIVE PAYMENT (DSRIP) PROGRAM. WHILE THIS PROGRAM ENDED IN 2019, BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE HERKIMER COUNTY HUB FOR PLANNING AND ORGANIZING HEALTH IMPROVEMENT RESOURCES. SOME CURRENT ON-GOING INITIATIVES ARE AS FOLLOWS:1.) COORDINATED ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES IN OUR FIVE RURAL HEALTH CLINICS. ALSO PERFORMED LABORATORY COVID TESTING AND RESULTS REPORTING FOR PURPOSES OF MITIGATION OF THE SPREAD OF COVID. IN LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL IN COORDINATION WITH BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK COORDINATEED COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON CONTROLLING SPREAD OF COVID. 2 .) CONTINUED THE NYS MEDICAID ACCELERATED EXCHANGE (MAX) PROCESS TO USE PATIENT CENTERED PROCESSES TO REDUCE USE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BY CHRONIC CARE PATIENTS. LITTLE FALLS HEALTH CENTERS IN DOLGEVILLE AND NEWPORT PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROJECT AND IMPROVED THEIR CARE MANAGEMENT PLANS TO REDUCE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS.3 .) THE SALVATION ARMY, LEATHERSTOCKING COLLABORATIVE HEALTH PARTNERS, AND LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL DEVELOPED A CARE NAVIGATION PROGRAM TO ASSIST PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.LIMITATIONS ON PROGRESSWE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING PRIMARY CARE AND UNDERSTAFFED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS IN OUR REGION AS A BARRIER TO MEETING OUR CHNA GOALS. THIS SHORTAGE OF PROVIDERS IS BEING ADDRESSED IN RECRUITMENT PLANS IN COORDINATION WITH BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER, HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, AND LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE HOSPITAL CANCELED ALL ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AND NON URGENT AMBULATORY VISITS WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN PATIENT VOLUMES. IN ADDITION TO THE LOST REVENUE THAT ACCOMPANIED THE LOWER PATIENT VOLUMES THE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, CERTAIN PHARMACEUTICALS, COVID 19 TESTING SUPPLIES, AND OTHER OVERHEAD AND PATIENT SPECIFIC COSTS. ADMISSIONS FELL 11% FROM 2019 TO 2020 WHILE ER VISITS DECREASED 2% FROM 2019 TO 2020. THE IMPACT FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC CONTINUED IN 2021 CAUSING COST INCREASES TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT LABOR AND CONTINUED LOWER PATIENT VOLUMES COMPARED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. TOTAL FUNDING FROM PANDEMIC FUNDING WAS $371,685.

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 20E: LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL PROVIDED MAILING INFORMATION TO UNINSURED PATIENTS FOR ENROLLING IN AN AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INSURANCE PRODUCT SPONSORED BY THE NYS HEALTH MARKETPLACE. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL ALSO ASSISTED PATIENTS WITH THE COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLLMENT INTO NYS MARKETPLACE PLANS. IN 2021, 127 PATIENTS WERE ENROLLED BY A LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL EMPLOYED FACILITATOR INTO A NYS MARKETPLACE PLAN.

PART V, LINE 7A AND 10A
LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL:THE HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL'S WEBSITE:HTTPS://WWW.BASSETT.ORG/LOCATIONS/LITTLE-FALLS-HOSPITAL

PART V, LINE 16A, 16B, AND 16C
LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL:THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, APPLICATION, AND PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL'S WEBSITE:HTTPS://WWW.BASSETT.ORG/PATIENTS-VISITORS/BILLING-INSURANCE/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE

LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL
PART VBILLING AND COLLECTIONSBEGINNING IN 2021, BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK, THE PARENT ORGANIZATION OF LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL, ENTERED INTO A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH OPTUM INSIGHT. THIS AGREEMENT RESULTED IN VARIOUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, REVENUE CYCLE, AND BUSINESS ANALYTIC SERVICES ONCE PERFORMED BY BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK BEING TRANSITIONED TO OPTUM INSIGHT, ALONG WITH THE FORMER BASSETT EMPLOYEES WHO PROVIDED THEM. THE TRANSITION INCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE BILLING AND COLLECTION ACTIVITIES FOR THE HOSPITALS IN THE NETWORK. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE CHANGE IN SERVICE PROVIDER, THE BILLING AND COLLECTION POLICIES OF THE HOSPITAL HAVE NOT CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSITION.

Supplemental Information

Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI

PART I, LINE 3C:
LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL PROVIDES SERVICES TO ALL PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (CSP) IS AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INCOMES UP TO 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES. OUR CSP COORDINATOR IS AN AUTHORIZED ENROLLMENT FACILITATOR FOR MEDICAID AND NEW YORK STATE INSURANCE EXCHANGE INSURANCE COVERAGES.

PART I, LINE 6A:
AS A MEMBER OF THE BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK, LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL JOINES IN THE BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK ANNUAL COMMUNITY REPORT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE WWW.BASSETT.ORG/ABOUT-BASSETT-HEALTHCARE-NETWORK/ANNUAL-REPORTS. IT DOES NOT PREPARE A SEPARATE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT.

PART I, LINE 7:
COST FOR CHARITY CARE PATIENTS WAS CALCULATED USING RATIO OF COST TO CHARGES. COST ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAID AND MEDICAID HMO PROGRAMS REPRESENTS AGGREGATE ALLOWABLE COST AND TOTAL GROSS CHARGES USED TO CALCULATE A FACILITY LEVEL COST TO CHARGE RATIO. THIS FACILITY LEVEL COST TO CHARGE RATIO WAS APPLIED TO TOTAL MEDICAID AND MEDICAID HMO CHARGES TO ARRIVE AT TOTAL MEDICAID COST. FOR SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES, THE LOSS DOES NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT PAYERS LOSS INFORMATION IS REPORTED IN AGGREGATE AMOUNTS.

PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN F
LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL EXCLUDED $1,659,099 OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE TO CALCULATE COST OF PATIENT CARE. BAD DEBT IS REPORTED AS A FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM EXPENSE.

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL WORKING WITH COMMUNITY BUSINESSES THROUGH OUR MEMBERSHIP WITH LOCAL AGENCIES, SUCH AS HERKIMER COUNTY HEALTHNET, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE INC. . THESE ACTIVITIES ALLOW FOR DIALOG ON CURRENT HEALTHCARE TOPICS, INSURANCE PROGRAMS, AND RECRUITMENT OF FUTURE EMPLOYEES. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL COLLABORATES WITH BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER ON RECRUITMENT INITIATIVES FOCUSING ON PRIMARY CARE. HERKIMER COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST RATIOS OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS TO RESIDENTS IN NEW YORK STATE. IN 2021, LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL WAS A LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES (LPN)PRECEPTOR TRAINING LOCATION SPONSORED WITH THE MOHAWK VALLEY BOARDS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (BOCES). THIS TRAINING PROGRAM ENABLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRONT-LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS. IN 2021 THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTED THE CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF 6 LPN'S.

PART III, LINE 2:
BAD DEBT EXPENSEDUE TO THE ADOPTION OF ASU NO. 2014-09, REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (TOPIC 606), BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS NO LONGER REPORTED ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. RATHER IT IS TREATED AS A PRICE CONCESSION. THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE FOR 2021 WAS $1,659,099.

PART III, LINE 3:
CHARITY CAREFOOTNOTE (3) FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIALSTHE COST OF CHARITY CARE PROVIDED IS DETERMINED BASED ON THE APPLICATION OF A COST TO GROSS CHARGE RATIO TO THE TOTAL CHARITY CARE CHARGES FOREGONE. INCLUDED IN NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE ARE AMOUNTS PAID INTO AND RECEIVED FROM STATEWIDE UNCOMPENSATED CARE POOLS. THESE UNCOMPENSATED CARE POOLS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP OFFSET THE COST OF CHARITY CARE AND UNREIMBURSED MEDICAID SERVICES.BAD DEBT EXPENSEDUE TO THE ADOPTION OF ASU NO. 2014-09 REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (TOPIC 606) BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS NO LONGER REPORTED ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT. RATHER IT IS TREATED AS A PRICE CONCESSION.

PART III, LINE 8:
IN 2021 OUR OPERATING INCOME WAS UNFAVORABLE, WITH MEDICARE PART A AND B PROGRAMS, RECOGNIZING ($14,217) . MEDICARE REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 31% OF TOTAL PATIENT SERVICE REVENUES. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL IS A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL (CAH) WHICH IS PAID BY MEDICARE BASED ON COST OF CARE. OUR SAFETY NET HOSPITAL STATUS INDICATES WE ARE A NYS RURAL PROVIDER WITH A GREATER THAN 30% THRESHOLD FOR MEDICAID SERVICES. THE SHORTFALL IS TREATED AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AS THE SERVICES SUPPORT SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

PART III, LINE 9B:
OUR COLLECTION AND CHARITY CARE POLICY SPECIFIES THAT ACCOUNTS WITH ACTIVE CHARITY CARE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT GO TO COLLECTION AGENCIES WHILE APPLICATIONS ARE IN REVIEW. WHILE A REQUEST FOR CHARITY CARE ASSISTANCE IS IN PROCESS, THESE ACCOUNTS ARE PLACED ON HOLD IN OUR BILLING SYSTEM. WE COMMUNICATE INFORMATION ON REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND WILL COUNSEL PATIENTS ON PROVIDING THE INCOME INFORMATION TO DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE USING 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES. (NOTE: OUR CHARITY CARE PROGRAM IS FOR THE UNINSURED PATIENT.)

PART VI, LINE 2:
IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA), A VARIETY OF DATA ARE USED REGULARLY TO ASSESS THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITYSERVED BY LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL, INCLUDING DATA FROM PATIENT SATISFACTION SURVEYS, THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE HERKIMER COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT, AND THE NYS PREVENTION AGENDA, WHICH IDENTIFIED PRIORITY HEALTH INDICATORS TO BE USED BY NYS HOSPITALS, PROVIDERS, AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN ASSESSING AND SETTINGLOCAL/REGIONAL PRIORITIES. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL USES AN HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY SPECIALITY EXPERT IN PATIENT DATA ANALYTICS, PRESS GANEY TO OBTAIN BENCHMARKING DATA ON PATIENT SATISFACTION IN ORDER TO ASSESS HOW THE HOSPITAL IS PERCEIVED TO BE MEETING PATIENT NEEDS. DATA FROM ONGOING MAIL SURVEYS CARRIED OUT AMONG A STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT RANDOM SAMPLE OF INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS IS USED TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND INFORM OFFICIAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES. DATA COLLECTED FROM THIS INSTRUMENT INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF KEY, EVIDENCE-BASED QUALITY INDICATORS -- FROM TIMELINESS OF CARE TO COMMUNICATIONS, PATIENT SAFETY, DISCHARGE INSTRUCTION, MEDICATION ISSUES, AND MORE. THE HOSPITAL RECEIVES REPORTS QUARTERLY. THE HOSPITAL ALSO UTILIZES INFORMATION FROM THE STANDARDIZED, PUBLICLY REPORTED HCAHPS (HOSPITAL CONSUMER ASSESSMENT OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND SYSTEMS) SURVEY OF PATIENTS' PERSPECTIVES OF HOSPITAL CARE. THE HCAHPS REPORTING AND SURVEY ARE REQUIRED BY THE CENTER FOR MEDICARE SERVICES (CMS) TO ALLOW STANDARD, OBJECTIVE, VALID COMPARISONS TO BE MADE ACROSS HOSPITALS NATIONALLY, REGIONALLY, AND LOCALLY REPORTS ARE RECEIVE QUARTERLY AND SINCE 2008 HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED NATIONALLY ON THE CMS AND NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WEBSITES. THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS ARE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. (WWW.HCAHPSONLINE.ORG).ADDITIONALLY, THE HOSPITAL'S NEEDS ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES ARE INFORMED BY INITIATIVES AND STUDIES CARRIED OUT BY THE BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INCLUDING THE UPSTATE HEALTH AND WELLNESS STUDY 2009. THIS PROJECT ASSESSED HEALTH INDICATORS, IDENTIFIED RURAL-URBAN HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND PROVIDED BASELINE DATA TO ASSIST COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE PLANNING IN THE RURAL REGION SERVED BY BASSETT, INCLUDING SCHOHARIE COUNTY. IT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND REGIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS. IN COORNDATION WITH BASSETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE'S MOHAWK VALLEY POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (MVPHIP), A GRANT FUNDED PROGRAM FROM NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHO COORDINATES ASSESSMENT ON BEHALF OF BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK'S LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL AND THE HERKIMER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

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STATE FILING OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTNEW YORK

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"LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL PROVIDES ACCESS AND EDUCATION ON THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM WITH CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS TO CALL AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR COMPLETING APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AT ALL PATIENT ACCESS LOCATIONS, APPLICATIONS FOR CHARITY CARE ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE. THE WWW.BASSETT.ORG WEBSITE INCLUDES A LINK ON INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION AND OTHER RESOURCES CALLED ""FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCE GUIDE"". OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR PROVIDES INSURANCE COVERAGE NAVIGATION SERVICES TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH ENROLLMENT IN GOVERNMENT SPONSORED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE PROGRAMS. A COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR IS ALSO PRESENT IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST WITH APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT SPONSORED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE PROGRAMS OR TO COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. OUR APPLICATION ALSO SPECIFIES ON-SITE PROVIDERS WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM."

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LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL SERVES AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF OVER 62,000 PEOPLE IN 17 COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT HERKIMER COUNTY, AND SECTIONS OF FULTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES. THE SERVICE AREA POPULATION IS COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL LEVELS. THE POPULATION IS 96 PERCENT WHITE, 51 PERCENT FEMALE AND 49 PERCENT MALE. THE AGE DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION IS SIMILAR TO OTHER UPSTATE NEW YORK AREAS WITH 5.4 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 24 PERCENT UNDER THE AGE OF 18, AND 22.2 PERCENT AGED 65 AND OLDER. NEARLY 89 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION OVER AGE OF 25 HAS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL. MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $54,794 IS BELOW THE STATE MEDIAN OF $71,855. IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 10 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. APPROXIMATELY 93% OF RESIDENTS HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE, AN IMPROVEMENT OF 6% SINCE 2013.

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LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL IMPLEMENTS COORDINATED HEALTH CARE RESOURCES WITH BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK. THIS COLLABORATION INCLUDED PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING INITIATIVES UNDER A NEW YORK STATE DELIVERY SYSTEM REFORM INCENTIVE PAYMENT (DSRIP) PROJECT. DSRIP ACTIVITIES ARE COORDINATED WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP CARE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS IN A COORDINATED MANNER. THE HERKIMER COUNTY HUB WAS ORGANIZED SO COMMUNITY AGENCIES COULD DEVELOP INITIATIVES FOR IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS FOR REFERRALS TO PROGRAMS FOR HIGH NEED PATIENTS. WITH THESE COMMUNITY AGENCIES ENGAGED A HIGHER DEGREE OF PATIENT INTERACTION IS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH CARE. LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH SALVATION ARMY FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN PROVIDING PATIENT NAVIGATION SERVICES. THESE NAVIGATION SERVICES PROVIDE PATIENTS AND FAMILY SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.

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LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL COLLABORATES WITH BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK AND BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER TO COORDNATE THE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THIS RELATIONSHIP HAS DEVELOPED OVER A PERIOD OF FIFTEEN YEARS AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS ACCESS TO A HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. OUR INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD HAS ENABLED OUR PATIENTS TO RECEIVE IMPROVED COORDINATED CARE AND ACCESS TO THEIR HEALTH INFORMATION NOT ROUTINELY SEEN IN RURAL HEALTH NETWORKS. OUR COLLABORATIVE PLANNING ON PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NYS DELIVERY SYSTEM REFORM INCENTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM (DSRIP) AND RELATED MOHAWK VALLEY POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ARE EXAMPLES OF OUR COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN OUR SERVICE AREA.LITTLE FALLS HOSPITAL AS A LEADER WITH BASSETT HEALTHCARE NETWORK IN COORDINATION OF PATIENT ADVOCATE GROUPS IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR IMPROVING HEALTHCARE. THESE INITIATIVES WITHIN THE DSRIP PROGRAM CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IN PATIENT INTERACTIONS TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO CARE, AND PREVENTATIVE CARE PLANS. THIS IS A NEW AREA OF EMPHASIS WITH CARE INNOVATION MODELS WHICH CREATE LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS WITH PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS.

Operating expenses	$ 37,744,040
Total amount spent on community benefits as % of operating expenses	$ 3,275,642 8.68 %