4A (Expenses $ 49810028 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 66648767)
THE HOSPITAL OFFERS OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDING EMERGENCY ROOM, LAB WORK, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING (X-RAY, CT SCAN, MRI, MAMMOGRAMS, NUCLEAR IMAGING ULTRASOUND), OUTPATIENT SURGERIES, PULMONARY, CARDIAC CARE AND THERAPY SERVICES (PHYSICAL, SPEECH AND REHABILITATIVE).

4B (Expenses $ 24918566 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 9343026)
THE HOSPITAL'S PHYSICIAN PRACTICE CLINICS PROVIDE INTERNAL MEDICINE RADIOLOGY PROGRAM, PSYCHIATRIC, OB/GYN, NEUROLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, PULMONARY-SLEEP, AND SURGICAL SERVICES.

4C (Expenses $ 11183535 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 14160745)
INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE WAS PROVIDED AT A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL TOTALING 6,287 PATIENT DAYS FOR THE YEAR. THE HOSPITAL'S INPATIENT CARE SERVICES INCLUDE A 24 HOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SERVICES, INTENSIVE CARE UNITS, BIRTHING CENTER, CLINICAL LABORATORY, MRI AND ULTRASOUND, NEUROLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, PHARMACY, REHABILITATION SERVICES, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY AMONG OTHERS. THE HOSPITAL ALSO PROVIDED COMMUNITY GRANTS.

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5
COMMUNITY INPUT: IN KEEPING WITH THE GUIDELINES FOR A COMPREHENSIVE CHNA, A NUMBER OF KEY COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS WHO REPRESENT THE BROAD INTEREST OF THE NEWPORT HOSPITAL SERVICE AREA, INCLUDING LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE VARIOUS SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION IN THE NCH SERVICE AREA WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ON THE CHNA ADVISORY TEAM. WITH THE NCH CORE TEAM AS A SUBGROUP OF THE CHNA ADVISORY TEAM, CHNA ADVISORY TEAM MEMBERS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN DISTRIBUTING THE QUANTITATIVE SURVEY, RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS IN FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND TOWN HALLS, AND CREATING AWARENESS FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ADVISORY TEAM MEMBERS WILL ALSO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE FINAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ACTIONS, USING EACH OTHER'S EXPERTISE TO ACHIEVE GOALS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT.

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7A & 10
WEBSITE URL FOR CHNA REPORT/IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY: HTTPS://WWW.NORTHCOUNTRYHOSPITAL.ORG/COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT/

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11
ADDRESSING IDENTIFIED NEEDS: AFTER REVIEW OF THE COMBINATION OF DATA AND THE RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY AND FOCUS GROUP PROCESSES, THE ADVISORY TEAM PRIORITIZED THE FOLLOWING AS KEY HEALTH CONCERNS RECOMMENDED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR THE 2021 NCH COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT: - AFFORDABLE HOUSING - EMPLOYMENT - REGULAR MEDICAL CARE - MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS OR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TAKEN IN A WAY NOT RECOMMENDED BY A DOCTOR - STRESS, ANXIETY, OR DEPRESSION - URGENT CARE/WALK IN CLINIC - EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THE RESULTS OF THE QUANTITATIVE SURVEY PROVIDE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE NEEDS AND PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED BY NCH. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS EMERGED THROUGH THIS PROCESS THAT IMPACT THE IDENTIFIED PRIORITY AREAS. THESE INCLUDE: - THE PERCEIVED ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE - FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND THE TRICKLE DOWN IMPACTS (CHILD CARE, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.) - LIMITED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - BARRIERS TO CARE CAUSED BY THE ABOVE CHALLENGES

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16A
WEBSITE URL FOR FAP: HTTPS://WWW.NORTHCOUNTRYHOSPITAL.ORG/FINANCIAL-SERVICES/

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16B
WEBSITE URL FOR FAP APPLICATION: HTTPS://WWW.NORTHCOUNTRYHOSPITAL.ORG/FINANCIAL-SERVICES/

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16C
WEBSITE URL FOR PLAIN LANGUAGE FAP SUMMARY: HTTPS://WWW.NORTHCOUNTRYHOSPITAL.ORG/FINANCIAL-SERVICES/

SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, LINE 20E
EFFORTS INITIATED BY THE HOSPITAL: EVERY PATIENT THAT IS FLAGGED FOR COLLECTION IS INVITED TO A FINANCIAL AID APPOINTMENT.

SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7
COSTING METHODOLOGY: THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO CALCULATED ON IRS WORKSHEET 2 WAS USED IN THE CALCULATION OF COST ON IRS WORKSHEETS 1, 3, AND 6.

SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN F
PERCENT OF TOTAL EXPENSE: TO ARRIVE AT THE PERCENT OF TOTAL EXPENSES, THE DENOMINATOR EQUALS TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES PER PART IX, LINE 25, OF THE FORM 990.

SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7G
SUBSIDIZED SERVICES: AMOUNTS USED IN THE CALCULATION OF SUBSIDIZED SERVICES ON LINE 7G PRIMARILY CAME FROM COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL HEALTH CENTERS (RHCS). NORTH COUNTRY HOSPITAL PROVIDES PRIMARY CARE SERVICES TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AT THE CENTERS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE WOULD BE A SHORTAGE OF QUALITY MEDICAL CARE WITHOUT THE SERVICES. NORTH COUNTRY HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AS A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY DESPITE KNOWING THAT FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS WILL BE SUSTAINED.

SCHEDULE H, PART II
COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES: OUR ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY HOSPITAL STAFF ON A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC-BUILDING COLLABORATIONS SUCH AS THE LOCAL ROTARY AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS WELL AS ON LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS THOSE THAT FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PREVENTION/REDUCTION OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND TOBACCO, PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES. THE HOSPITAL ALSO PROVIDES MEETING SPACE AT NO CHARGE FOR NUMEROUS AGENCIES AND GROUPS THAT TARGET VARIOUS ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SUCH AS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, GRIEVING SUPPORT GROUPS, DRIVING SAFETY COURSES, YOUTH BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TEAMS AND YOUTH COURT DIVERSION TEAMS.

SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 2
BAD DEBT EXPENSE: THE HOSPITAL HAS ADOPTED THE NEW REVENUE RECOGNITION STANDARD ASU 2014-09. UNDER ASU 2014-09, THE ESTIMATED AMOUNTS DUE FROM PATIENTS FOR WHICH THE HOSPITAL DOES NOT EXPECT TO BE ENTITLED OR COLLECT FROM THE PATIENTS ARE CONSIDERED IMPLICIT PRICE CONCESSIONS AND EXCLUDED FROM THE HOSPITAL'S ESTIMATION OF THE TRANSACTION PRICE OR REVENUE RECORDED. BAD DEBT EXPENSE WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT TO THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. HOWEVER, THE HOSPITAL INTERNALLY TRACKS BAD DEBT EXPENSE CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL PRACTICES AND THAT AMOUNT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 2.

SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 3
BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: THE ORGANIZATION HAS ESTIMATED THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE POLICY FOR LINE 3 BY UTILIZING DATA FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU. THE ORGANIZATION ESTIMATED THE PERCENTAGE BY OBTAINING THE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IN ITS SERVICE AREA FALLING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.

SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION A, LINE 4
BAD DEBT EXPENSE FOOTNOTE: THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DO NOT CONTAIN A FOOTNOTE THAT DESCRIBES BAD DEBT EXPENSE. THEY DO, HOWEVER, CONTAIN A FOOTNOTE THAT DESCRIBES PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, THAT NOTE CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 13 OF THE ATTACHED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION B, LINE 8
COMMUNITY BENEFIT: THE COMMUNITY IS BETTER SERVED WITH PROVIDERS AVAILABLE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S REMOTE REGION. THE ENTIRETY OF ANY SHORTFALL REPORTED SHOULD BE TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THE ORGANIZATION ACCEPTS ALL MEDICARE PATIENTS KNOWING THAT THERE WILL LIKELY BE SHORTFALLS. ADDITIONALLY, TREATING MEDICARE PATIENTS IS A COMPONENT OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARD THAT TAX-EXEMPT HOSPITALS ARE HELD TO.

SCHEDULE H, PART III, SECTION C, LINE 9B
COLLECTION POLICY: WHEN IDENTIFIED AS A POSSIBLE WRITE OFF TO MEDICARE BAD DEBT, AN ACCOUNT MUST MEET MEDICARE'S CRITERIA FOR REPORTING ON THE COST REPORT. AN ACCOUNT FOR A MEDICARE PATIENT MUST UNDERGO HOSPITAL COLLECTION EFFORTS FOR AT LEAST 120 DAYS FROM THE INITIAL DATE OF BILLING TO THE PATIENT BEFORE BEING CONSIDERED FOR WRITE-OFF TO A THIRD PARTY AGENCY. THESE MEDICARE ACCOUNTS WILL BE CLOSED AND RETURNED BY THE AGENCIES AFTER 120 DAYS FROM PLACEMENT IF COLLECTION EFFORTS FAIL AND THEY ARE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE. IF A MEDICARE PATIENT IS DECEASED AND NO ESTATE CAN BE IDENTIFIED, IT WILL BE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE AND MAY BE DIRECTLY CONSIDERED FOR WRITE-OFF RATHER THAN TURNED OVER TO A THIRD PARTY AGENCY. IF A MEDICARE PATIENT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY, THE ACCOUNTS WILL BE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE AND WILL BE DIRECTLY CONSIDERED FOR WRITE-OFF. IF A MEDICARE PATIENT QUALIFIES FOR FREE CARE UNDER THE HOSPITAL'S GUIDELINES, THE ACCOUNT(S) WILL BE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE AND WILL BE WRITTEN OFF TO THE APPROPRIATE PAT CODE(S). WHEN A MEDICARE ACCOUNT IS DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE, THE DEDUCTIBLE AND/OR COINSURANCE AMOUNTS WILL BE WRITTEN OFF USING THE APPROPRIATE PAT CODE(S). NON COVERED AMOUNTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE BAD DEBT. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REGARDING DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE AMOUNTS WILL BE COLLECTED AND FILED FOR COST REPORTING PURPOSES. THE HOSPITAL ALSO COMPLETED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO COMPLY WITH IRS 501(R) REQUIREMENTS.

SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 3
PATIENT EDUCATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE: FOR BALANCES OVER $500.00 A HELP IS AVAILABLE LETTER IS MAILED WITH THE INITIAL BILL, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE BALANCE IS SELF-PAY, PRIMARY OR AFTER INSURANCE. IN ADDITION, OUR COLLECTION LETTERS ALL REFER TO OUR FREE CARE PROGRAM ASKING THE PATIENT TO CALL TO DISCUSS THIS AND OTHER OPTIONS. WHEN FREE CARE IS DISCUSSED WITH THE PATIENT, IT IS EXPLAINED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR OTHER ASSISTANCE AND WE OFFER OUR HELP IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS. FOR SELF-PAY PATIENTS THAT ARE IP, ONE OF THE FINANCIAL COUNSELORS ATTEMPTS TO DISCUSS MEDICAID AS WELL AS FREE CARE.

SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 4
COMMUNITY INFORMATION: WE SERVE TWO OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED COUNTIES IN VERMONT. WITH A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 30,000 RESIDENTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA, OUR POPULATION, AS COMPARED TO VT AND THE US, HAS A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS LIVING UNDER THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AND A VERY HIGH RATE OF ADULTS AGE 25+ WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, WHILE THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER, AGAIN AS COMPARED TO VT AND THE US. OUR REGION CONSISTENTLY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE. THIS PRIMARILY WHITE POPULATION IS FOUND IN VERY SMALL COMMUNITIES SCATTERED OVER A RURAL, MOUNTAINOUS, AND LAKE-DOTTED AREA, MAKING TRAVELING AND NETWORKING A CHALLENGE, PARTICULARLY IN THE HARSH WINTER MONTHS.

SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 6
AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ROLES: NORTH COUNTRY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARY COLLECTIVELY DO BUSINESS AS NORTH COUNTRY HEALTH SYSTEM (NCHS). NORTH COUNTRY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. (HEALTH SYSTEM) IS THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY FOR ITS WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY, NORTH COUNTRY HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER, INC. (HOSPITAL). NORTH COUNTRY HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTER, INC. OPERATES A 25-BED ACUTE ARE HOSPITAL FACILITY IN NEWPORT, VERMONT. THE HOSPITAL PRIMARILY EARNS REVENUES BY PROVIDING INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS IN NEWPORT, VERMONT, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE HOSPITAL ALSO OPERATES A NUMBER OF PHYSICIAN CLINICS IN THE SAME GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 2
NEEDS ASSESSMENT: THE HOSPITAL ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT FOCUS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LOCAL HEALTH NEEDS - INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, HEALTH DISPARITIES, ALCOHOL, DRUG AND TOBACCO PREVENTION, PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THE VT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REMAINS AN EXCELLENT AND VERY THOROUGH DATA SOURCE, WITH DATA AVAILABLE STATEWIDE, BY COUNTY AND BY SCHOOL SUPERVISORY DISTRICTS. DATA IS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN AND INCLUDES, FOR EXAMPLE TOPICS SUCH AS COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASE, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DATA, RISK FACTORS SUCH AS ALCOHOL, DRUG AND TOBACCO USE, OBESITY, LIFESTYLE CHOICES. DATA REGARDING SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND EDUCATION LEVEL IS ALSO READILY AVAILABLE, AGAIN FOR THE STATE AS WELL AS BY COUNTY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT. ALL DATA IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE ONLINE AT WWW.HEALTHVERMONT.GOV AND AT HUMANSERVICES.VERMONT.GOV. THE HOSPITAL ALSO COMPLETED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO COMPLY WITH NEW IRS 501(R) REQUIREMENTS.

SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 5
PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH: IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES LISTED ON PART II, OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFITS INCLUDE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PROVIDING SKILLED NURSING SERVICES WHILE ACUTELY ILL PATIENTS ARE TRANSFERRED BY AMBULANCE TO A TERTIARY CARE CENTER, PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION IN THE EDUCATION OF STUDENT NURSES AND MEDICAL STUDENTS, DONATING SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT TO OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTINUED USE, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ON THE BOARDS OF SEVERAL HEALTH RELATED AGENCIES SUCH AS THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE, AND THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO IMPLEMENTS A HELP LINE FOR THE HOMEBOUND OR FRAIL INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE ALONE. A NUMBER OF LOCAL RESIDENTS RECEIVE THIS SERVICE AT NO COST TO THEM.