Community Benefit Insight - Tax-exempt hospital

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South County Hospital Healthcare System

South County Hospital

100 Kenyon Avenue
Wakefield, RI 02879

Bed count	100	Medicare provider number	410008	Member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals	NO	Children's hospital	NO

EIN: 050445136

Display data for year:

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

4.18%

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	$ 1,808,204 0.78 %
Medicaid as % of operating expenses	$ 98,092 0.04 %
Costs of other means-tested government programs as % of operating expenses	$ 4,374,305 1.90 %
Health professions education as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Subsidized health services as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Research as % of operating expenses	$ 0 0 %
Community health improvement services and community benefit operations* as % of operating expenses Note: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.	$ 3,325,901 1.44 %
Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit* as % of operating expenses	$ 26,777 0.01 %
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 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	$ 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	$ 4,509,125 1.96 %
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 $ 208172137 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 217458004)
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (THE HOSPITAL) IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT, ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND, OFFERING THE LATEST ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SERVICES DELIVERED BY EXPERT PHYSICIANS AND HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF. THE SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS COMMITTED TO ITS COMMUNITY AND GUIDED BY THE VALUES OF CARING, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE, PARTNERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE SCHEDULE O.

Facility Information

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

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3J: THE HOSPITAL ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE CHNA LED BY THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OF RHODE ISLAND (HARI) AND ITS MEMBER HOSPITALS AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY RESEARCH CONSULTING (CRC).

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: AS PART OF THE CHNA, SOUTH COUNTY HEALTH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTHY BODIES HEALTHY MINDS WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSTED A VIRTUAL PARTNER MEETING ON MARCH 15, 2022. A TOTAL OF 44 PEOPLE ATTENDED REPRESENTING HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, SENIOR SERVICES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FORUM WAS TO SHARE DATA FROM THE CHNA AND GARNER FEEDBACK ON COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION AMONG PARTNER AGENCIES. RESEARCH FROM THE CHNA WAS PRESENTED AT THE SESSION. SMALL GROUP DIALOGUE WAS FACILITATED TO DISCUSS RESEARCH FINDINGS, EXISTING RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS PRIORITY AREAS, THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES, AND NEW OR INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION.

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE OTHER HOSPITAL FACILITIES THAT SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CHNA WERE: CARE NEW ENGLAND HEALTH SYSTEMS, CHARTERCARE, LANDMARK MEDICAL CENTER, AND THE L&M WESTERLY HOSPITAL.

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CHNA WERE: THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OF RHODE ISLAND, AND THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: THE 2022 PRIORITY HEALTH NEEDS IDENTIFIED FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY WERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE) AND CHRONIC DISEASE. RHODE ISLAND HAS A HIGHER PREVALENCE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING ALCOHOL AND OPIOID USE DISORDER, THAN THE NATION. CONSISTENT WITH THE 2019 CHNA, WASHINGTON COUNTY ADULTS HAVE A HIGHER PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER THAN THE STATE; THE PREVALENCE OF ADULTS REPORTING EXCESSIVE DRINKING INCREASED FROM THE 2019 CHNA FROM 21.4% TO 24.4%. BOTH RHODE ISLAND AND WASHINGTON COUNTY HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD A HIGHER ACCIDENTAL DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH RATE THAN THE NATION. SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN ACCIDENTAL DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS STATEWIDE, FROM 308 IN 2019 TO 384 IN 2020.TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, SOUTH COUNTY HEALTH DEVELOPED A THREE-YEAR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP) TO GUIDE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES ACROSS WASHINGTON COUNTY. THE CHIP BUILDS UPON PREVIOUS HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES, WHILE RECOGNIZING NEW HEALTH NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2022 CHNA, A CHANGING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7A:
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-SOUTH-COUNTY-HEALTH/COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 10:
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-SOUTH-COUNTY-HEALTH/COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16A:
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG/PATIENTS-VISITORS/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16B:
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE-2020.PDF

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16C:
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/ELIGIBILITY-SCREENING-QUESTIONNAIRE-APPENDIX-2.PDF

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 22D:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL PROVIDES FREE CARE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

Supplemental Information

Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI

PART I, LINE 6A:
THE ORGANIZATION PREPARES AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE INCLUDING INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE SERVICES, RESULTS OF VARIOUS QUALITY SURVEYS, AND GENERAL HEALTH EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE HOSPITAL COMPLETED A CHNA WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITE.

PART I, LINE 7:
COLUMN (F)THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25(C), BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $4,509,125.

PART I, LINE 7G:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DIVISION PROVIDES VARIOUS PROGRAMS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES WHICH ARE PARTIALLY FUNDED WITH FEDERAL/STATE GRANTS, TOWN SUBSIDIES, AND DONATIONS. THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWS;RIDOH HEZ CORE: HEALTHY BODIES HEALTHY MINDS (HBHM) INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILIATE RIDOH PROGRAMS.RIDOH HEZ RURAL HEALTH: INITIAL STAGES OF THE COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC PROGRAM. A FOCUS ON THE PRELIMINARY PERSONNEL TRAINING IN THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM WITH EMPHASIS IN MENTAL HEALTH FROM AN EMS PERSPECTIVE.RIDOH HEZ CARES ACT: PROVIDES ENHANCED RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND/OR EXPAND A COMMUNITY-LEVEL RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT FOCUSES ON INCREASING AWARENESS AND COMPLIANCE WITH COMMUNITY MITIGATION GUIDELINES AND FOSTERING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.RIDOH HEZ ELC: DEVELOP AND/OR EXPAND A COMMUNITY-LEVEL RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT FOCUSES ON INCREASING TESTING, QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION RESOURCES, SYSTEM NAVIGATION SUPPORTS, COMPLIANCE WITH PREVENTION/MITIGATION GUIDELINES, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.RIDOH PDG B-5: IMPLEMENTING INCREDIBLE YEARS PARENTING AND 5-2-1-0 HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING CONSULTATION.RIDOH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING SERVICES (EMS): SCHEDULE AND PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAININGS FOR REFERRED EMS AGENCIES AND THEIR STAFF.SAMHSA MHAT: MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS & TRAINING INITIATIVE (MHAT) AIMS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH INDICATORS AND RESPONSES BY TRAINING PUBLIC SERVICES PROVIDERS.SAMHSA ZERO SUICIDE: A 'POPULATION HEALTH' APPROACH TO ZERO SUICIDE BY IMPLEMENTING THE EVIDENCE-BASED FRAMEWORK IN 8 MAJOR HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. THE ZERO SUICIDE FRAMEWORK INCLUDES SEVEN ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: LEAD, TRAIN, IDENTIFY, ENGAGE, TREAT, TRANSITION, AND IMPROVE.RIF FUND FOR A HEALTHY RI: TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVCES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AND TO ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN TWO SMALL COMMUNITIES WITH KNOWN DISPARITIES: BRADFORD AND DAVISVILLE.RIF THE GREATEST 8 (WCCC): THE GREATEST 8 TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE TO PROMOTE CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH. PROVIDES WEEKLY TIPS/SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN (AGES 0-8 YEARS OLD). HELP PARENTS INSTILL 8 KEY SKILLS IN THEIR CHILDREN FOR A LIFETIME OF MENTAL WELLNESS.WCCC: GENERAL WCCC FUNDING.RIDOH FIRST CONNECTIONS HOME VISITING: FIRST CONNECTIONS PROGRAM PROVIDED NURSING AND CHW SUPPORT FOR 1-3 VISITS FOR NEW MOMS AND BABIES TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND REFERRAL TO OTHER APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, AND CAPTA SUPPORT FOR DCYF BABIES AND CHILDREN. RIDOH FC-SOR HOME VISITING: FIRST CONNECTIONS INTERVENTIONS SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING SUBSTANCE EFFECTED NEONATES.RIDOH HEALTHY FAMILIES: PARENTING DEVELOPMENT FROM PRENATAL TO 3 YEARS OF AGE INCLUDING CHILDHOOD SCREENING AND REFERRAL TO APPRORIATE PROGRAMMING.SCHH WELLNESS CLINICS: LIFESTYLE WELLNESS PROGRAM IS AN 8 WEEK EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WITH FOCUS ON MANAGMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASE, COMMUNITY FLU CLINICS (14 ANNUALLY), HOME FLU PROGRAM AND BP CHECK IN BI AND SENIOR HOUSING CENTERS.SCHH PALLIATIVE CONSULTATION: NP/RN LIAISON WEEKLY REVIEW OF IDENTIFIED PATIENTS FOR SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, GOALS OF CARE AND ADVANCED DIRECTIVES.SC CHT CARE TRANSFORMATION COLLABORATIVE OF RI (CTC-RI): SOCIAL WORKERS AND CHW THAT SUPPORT VULNERABLE COMMUNITY WITH PLACE BASED BH CARE AND BASIC NEEDS (SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH).SC CHT RI FOUNDATION: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LICSW TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY WITH INCREASE IN BH NEEDS DURING COVID.SC CHT SCHH RIDOH FC-SOR: COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER THAT SUPPORTS THE FIRST CONNECTION SOR PROGRAM CONNECTING NEW MOMS WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES.SCSS WAVE VAN: TRANSPORTATION FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE CARE AT THE CANCER CENTER, LAB, DI, COUMADIN, IN FOR SURGERY NOT HOME, AND PROVIDER APPOINTMENTS.SCH IN-PATIENT PALLIATIVE: MD/NP (HOPE HOSPICE) SUPPORTING INPATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE AND END OF LIFE WITH SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, GOALS OF CARE, AND ADVANCED DIRECTIVES. EMPLOYED INTERFAITH CHAPLIAN FOR SPIRITUAL NEEDS. REFERRALS FOR ALL READMISSION TO SUPPORT REDUCTION GOALS.SCH CANCER CENTER PALLIATIVE CARE: NP TO SUPPORT SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, GOALS OF CARE AND ADVANCED DIRECTIVES.

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL PROVIDES VARIOUS PROGRAMS FREE OF CHARGE OR FOR A NOMINAL FEE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE FREQUENT SUPPORT GROUP, WELLNESS SCREENING, LECTURES, SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS ON VARIOUS HEALTH TOPICS. A NUMBER OF THE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT. THE HOSPITAL HAS CREATED A PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

PART III, LINE 2:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL RECORDS BAD DEBT EXPENSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP). A COST TO CHARGE RATIO WAS USED AS A COSTING METHOD FOR THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN LINES 2 AND 3. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES AN AUTOMATIC 40% SELF-PAY DISCOUNT. THE AMOUNT REPORTED ON THE HOSPITAL'S AUDITED STATEMENTS WAS UNDERSTATED BY THIS DISCOUNT OF THE GROSS CHARGES AND THE APPLICATION OF A COST TO CHARGE RATIO BASED ON GROSS CHARGES NOT NET CHARGES.

PART III, LINE 4:
THE FOOTNOTE REFERENCES TO BAD DEBT EXPENSE ARE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES IN THE ATTACHED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: PAGE 10 FN #2(E) .

PART III, LINE 8:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL SERVES THE MEDICARE POPULATION IN THE COMMUNITY AS PART OF ITS MISSION WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN PAYMENT AND COST. THIS SHORTFALL SHOULD BE TREATED AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AS IS THE HOSPITAL'S CHARITY CARE AND BAD DEBT. THE HOSPITAL UTILIZED THE COST TO CHARGES RATIO AS REPORTED IN THE FY 2022 MEDICARE COST REPORT FOR INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CHARGES.

PART III, LINE 9B:
PER THE HOSPITAL'S POLICY, PRIOR TO THE PATIENT'S DISCHARGE, REASONABLE EFFORTS ARE TAKEN BY STAFF TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR THOSE PATIENTS THAT QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THESE EFFORTS CONTINUE AFTER DISCHARGE INCLUDING INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE BILLING STATEMENT.SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL'S BILLING AND COLLECTION POLICY PROVIDES THE HOSPITAL CAN REFER AN ACCOUNT TO AN OUTSIDE AGENCY FOR COLLECTION BUT WILL NOT REFER ANY ACCOUNTS WHERE A PATIENT APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION. BEFORE ENGAGING IN EXTRA ORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS, THE HOSPITAL MAKES REASONABLE EFFORTS TO COLLECT THE AMOUNT DUE.

PART VI, LINE 2:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL IDENTIFIES ITS COMMUNITY'S HEALTH NEEDS BY PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AND STATE COALITIONS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, PANELS AND ADVISORY GROUPS INCLUDING INPUT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS, QUARTERLY (OR AS AVAILABLE) INTERNAL PATIENT SURVEYS AND PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA ON THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING DEMOGRAPHICS AND UTILIZATION ARE ANALYZED. THE HOSPITAL PARTICIPATES WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE FOR THE COMPLETION OF A CHNA. THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND POPULATION BASED DISEASE OCCURENCE AND HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR THE STATE AND THE HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY.

PART VI, LINE 3:
SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL COMMUNICATES WITH PATIENTS REGARDING PATIENT PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO PATIENTS ABOUT THEIR PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS AND BILLS. INFORMATION ON HOSPITAL-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICIES AND EXTERNAL PROGRAMS (INCLUDING MEDICAID ETC.) THAT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS DURING THE PRE-REGISTRATION PROCESSES. IN RESPONSE TO PATIENTS SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE SAME INFORMATION REGARDING THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IS PROVIDED BY ONSITE PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES STAFF IN BOTH INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY IS PROVIDED ON THE HOSPITAL WEB SITE AND POSTED IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. THE SELF-PAY BILLING STATEMENTS ADVISE PATIENTS TO CONTACT THE HOSPITAL REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY.

PART VI, LINE 4:
THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA INCLUDES ALL OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, RI COMMONLY KNOWN AS SOUTH COUNTY. THE SECONDARY SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE POPULATION FROM ADJOINING COMMUNITIES IN KENT COUNTY (EAST GREENWICH AND WEST GREENWICH).BASED ON 2015-2019 POPULATION ESTIMATES, ONLY EIGHT ZIP CODES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY SAW POPULATION GROWTH. WASHINGTON COUNTY HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST PROPORTION OF OLDER ADULTS AGE 65 OR OLDER IN THE STATE. THE PROPORTION OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE COUNTY INCREASED MORE THAN TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS IN A FIVE-YEAR SPAN, FROM 17.2% IN 2011-2015 TO 19.9% IN 2015-2019. THE HOUSING UNITS WITHIN THE SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL SERVICE AREA INCLUDE 74%, WHICH ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED, AND 26% WHICH ARE RENTER-OCCUPIED. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $85,531. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, 2020 AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 7.8% REPRESENTED A 5-POINT INCREASE FROM THE PERCENTAGE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE 2019 CHNA. THE PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY WITHIN SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL'S SERVICE AREA IS 8.6%, 9.2% OF WHICH ARE CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY. THEIR PERCENTAGES ARE LOWER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE (12.4% AND 17% RESPECTIVELY). THE CHNA ASSESSMENT COMPLETED IN 2022 PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNITY SERVED BY THE HOSPITAL AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: WWW.SOUTHCOUNTYHEALTH.ORG.

PART VI, LINE 5:
"SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL IS COMMITTED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH NEEDS BY CONTINUED INVESTMENT OF FUNDS INTO THE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES PROVIDED. THE HOSPITAL IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING FUNDS TO RECRUIT AND MAINTAIN PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY TO MEET THE POPULATION'S NEEDS. THE HOSPITAL AND ITS PHYSICIAN AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE EMBARKED ON THE CREATION OF A ""PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL COMMUNITY."" THE PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL COMMUNITY (PCMC) WILL OFFER AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE THAT IMPROVES THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE POPULATION WE SERVE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH AND AT RISK FOR CHRONIC CONDITIONS. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, THE PCMC WILL:1. BE BUILT UPON A FOUNDATION OF STRONG PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES WITH ENHANCED LINKAGES TO THE HOSPITAL, SPECIALISTS AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES.2. ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT THE PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOME (PCMH) MODEL BASED ON THE NCQA RECOGNITION STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, SUPPORTED BY MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS AND CHRONIC ARE SERVICES.3. FACILITATE ADOPTION OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SHARING. EIGHTEEN (18) PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN SEVEN (7) SOUTH COUNTY BASED PRACTICES HAVE ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED THE PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOME (PCMH) MODEL. THE SOUTH COUNTY ""MEDICAL COMMUNITY"" INITIATIVE (PCMC) WILL ADVANCE THAT CONCEPT INTO A BROADER SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTHCARE THAT LINKS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND THEIR PATIENTS TO DISEASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, SPECIALISTS, EMERGENCY SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES, SO THAT CARE IS OPTIMALLY COORDIATED AND INFORMATION FLOWS TO SUPPORT THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS AND SYSTEM EFFICIENCY. THE SOUTH COUNTY CONTINGENT IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE RI CHRONIC CARE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE (CSI) WHICH IS A DEMONSTRATION PILOT OF THE PCMH MODEL. THIS PROVIDES A FOUNDATION BASED ON AN INTEGRATED COLLABORATIVE APPROACH THAT WILL ASSIST PHYSICIAN PRACTICES AND THE HOSPITAL TOWARD ENHANCING THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES. THE CHNA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, INCLUDED WITH THIS RETURN, PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE HOSPITAL'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY."

PART VI, LINE 6:
THE HOSPITAL IS PART OF AN AFFILIATED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM KNOWN AS SOUTH COUNTY HEALTH OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF ADVANCED INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, AND HOME HEALTH SERVICES. ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION, THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS MADE UP OF THE HOSPITAL, SOUTH COUNTY HOME HEALTH, SOUTH COUNTY QUALITY CARE, AND SOUTH COUNTY SURGICAL SUPPLY. THE HOSPITAL IS DEDICATED TO ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VISITORS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES, THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THE PROMOTION OF WELLNESS THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS.

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
RI

Operating expenses	$ 230,593,558
Total amount spent on community benefits as % of operating expenses	$ 9,633,279 4.18 %