Search tax-exempt hospitals
for comparison purposes.
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, WA 98105
Bed count | 250 | Medicare provider number | 503300 | Member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals | YES | Children's hospital | YES |
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
(as % of total functional expenses)
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 $ 2,064,853,775 Total amount spent on community benefits as % of operating expenses$ 418,640,943 20.27 %- Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
Financial Assistance at cost as % of operating expenses$ 11,192,000 0.54 %Medicaid as % of operating expenses$ 249,468,000 12.08 %Costs of other means-tested government programs as % of operating expenses$ 0 0 %Health professions education as % of operating expenses$ 38,883,535 1.88 %Subsidized health services as % of operating expenses$ 0 0 %Research as % of operating expenses$ 76,236,637 3.69 %Community health improvement services and community benefit operations*
as % of operating expensesNote: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.$ 25,380,066 1.23 %Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit* as % of operating expenses$ 17,480,705 0.85 %Community building*
as % of operating expenses$ 4,009,488 0.19 %- * = CBI denoted preventative categories
- Community building activities details:
Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities? YES Number of activities or programs (optional) 20 Physical improvements and housing 0 Economic development 0 Community support 7 Environmental improvements 1 Leadership development and training for community members 0 Coalition building 1 Community health improvement advocacy 0 Workforce development 10 Other 1 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$ 4,009,488 0.19 %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$ 690,808 17.23 %Environmental improvements as % of community building expenses$ 21,492 0.54 %Leadership development and training for community members as % of community building expenses$ 0 0 %Coalition building as % of community building expenses$ 2,500 0.06 %Community health improvement advocacy as % of community building expenses$ 0 0 %Workforce development as % of community building expenses$ 3,288,688 82.02 %Other as % of community building expenses$ 6,000 0.15 %Direct offsetting revenue $ 36,478 Physical improvements and housing $ 0 Economic development $ 0 Community support $ 36,478 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$ 1,030,198 0.05 %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 agency Not 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
- 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 $ 1628264598 including grants of $ 27682956) (Revenue $ 1688398628) PATIENT CARE: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROVIDES SUPERIOR MEDICAL CARE TO CHILDREN FROM WASHINGTON, ALASKA, MONTANA AND IDAHO, SERVING THE LARGEST GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF ANY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION, FAMILIES LIVING BEYOND OUR PRIMARY SERVICE REGION INCREASINGLY SEEK CARE FROM OUR WORLD-RENOWNED SPECIALISTS IN PROGRAMS SUCH AS CANCER, ORGAN TRANSPLANTS AND CRANIOFACIAL SPECIALTIES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL TEAM TREATED KIDS OF ALL AGES DURING 391,653 PATIENT VISITS, INCLUDING 54,067 VISITS TO OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, 1,451 SHORT-STAY VISITS, AND 14,862 ADMISSIONS TO THE HOSPITAL. WE CARED FOR CHILDREN DURING 34,777 VISITS FOR BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 30,530 VISITS TO URGENT CARE, AND 255,966 OTHER AMBULATORY CLINIC APPOINTMENTS. AS THE PRIMARY PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OFFERING HIGH-LEVEL SPECIALTY CARE IN OUR REGION, IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE SETUP TESTING SITES, HELD VACCINE CLINICS, EXPANDED TELEMEDICINE OFFERINGS, AND CREATED AN EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTER.
4B (Expenses $ 319965079 including grants of $ 44381631) (Revenue $ 57388984) RESEARCH: BECAUSE RESEARCH IS THE FOUNDATION OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S MISSION TO DISCOVER NEW TREATMENT AND CURES, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE, A DIVISION OF SEATTLE CHILDRENS, INVESTED $74 MILLION IN RESEARCH DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE INVESTIGATORS ARE ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF IMPORTANT BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND INFLUENCING THE PRACTICE OF PEDIATRICS AROUND THE WORLD. IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE HAS AGGRESSIVELY PURSUED PROJECTS RELATED TO THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, FUNCTION AND TREATMENT OF COVID-19. IT HAS ALSO BEEN ONE OF THE PREDOMINANT PEDIATRIC RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS IMPLEMENTING CLINICAL TRIALS THAT SUPPORT THE ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL OF VACCINE EFFORTS IN PEDIATRICS.
4C (Expenses $ 50561590 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 8438890) EDUCATION: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS THE MAJOR RESOURCE FOR PEDIATRIC GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN OUR REGION. RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS FROM 83 PROGRAMS ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (ACGME), THREE PROGRAMS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION (ADA), AND SEVEN NON-ACGME ACCREDITED SUBSPECIALTY PROGRAMS ROTATED AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2021-2022. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HAS DEVELOPED CURRICULUM AND EVALUATION METHODS THAT ASSESS AND ASSURE RESIDENT COMPETENCY IN SIX MAIN AREAS: PATIENT CARE, MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING, INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS, PROFESSIONALISM, AND SYSTEM-BASED PRACTICE.
4D (Expenses $ 4760113 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 3315002) CARE NETWORK: CHILDREN'S CLINICALLY INTEGRATED NETWORK, DOING BUSINESS AS SEATTLE CHILDREN'S CARE NETWORK (SCCN), IS A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ESTABLISHED BY SEATTLE CHILDREN'S TO DEVELOP, COORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT A CLINICALLY INTEGRATED PEDIATRIC PROVIDER NETWORK TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION AND MODIFY PRACTICE PATTERNS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF PEDIATRIC CARE. SCCN CONTRIBUTES TO THE MISSION OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S BY PROMOTING HEALTH THROUGH ITS PEDIATRIC ORGANIZED SYSTEM OF CARE THAT IMPROVES INTEGRATION, COORDINATION, QUALITY, SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY FOR BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
-
Facility Information
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3J: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S CONDUCTED ITS FOURTH COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) IN 2022 TO COVER THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDING 2022-2025 (TAX YEARS 2021-2024) IN ORDER TO:- INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS AND ASSETS IN ORDER TO PRIORITIZE THESE NEEDS AND TO PLAN AND ACT UPON SIGNIFICANT UNMET COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS.- MORE DEEPLY UNDERSTAND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES FACING UNDERSERVED AND UNDER-RESOURCED POPULATIONS WHO EXPERIENCE HEALTH INEQUITIES, USING EXISTING DATA AND THE PERSPECTIVES OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND FAMILIES.- IDENTIFY AND DOCUMENT COMMUNITY STRENGTHS, EXISTING PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE HELPING THE COMMUNITY THRIVE.- INFORM OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT EFFORTS BY DETERMINING WHERE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ALIGN WITH SEATTLE CHILDREN'S STRATEGIC PLAN, GOALS, OR AREAS IN WHICH WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERTISE.THROUGH THIS CHNA, WE HAVE GAINED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES, WHICH GUIDE HOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO FULFILL OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN, TEENS AND FAMILIES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES.SEATTLE CHILDREN'S CHNA HIGHLIGHTS JUST A FEW OF THE MANY DEDICATED GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE HEALTHY KING COUNTY COALITION, THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION COALITION AND THE HEALTH COALITION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE POWERFUL ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDERS LIKE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, YAKIMA CHILDREN'S VILLAGE, YOUTHCARE, CENTER FOR CHILD AND YOUTH JUSTICE, UNITED WAY, CASCADE BICYCLE CLUB, SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION, THE CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE, SOLID GROUND, AND WITHINREACH OFFER EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, CLINICAL CARE, RESEARCH AND/OR DIRECT SERVICES TO HELP CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES GET THE HEALTHCARE, HEALTH AND WELL BEING AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES THEY NEED. STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE KEY TO GETTING ESSENTIAL DATA AND TO HELPING FOSTER PROGRAM, POLICY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SYSTEM CHANGE.FOR SEATTLE CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES, AND AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE CHNA, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FOUR PRIORITY AREAS:- MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH- SUICIDE & INJURY PREVENTION- ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND- HEALTHY LIFESTYLES (HEALTHY EATING, ACTIVE LIVING AND FOOD SECURITY).OUR PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GOVERNING BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND INCORPORATED INTO THE HOSPITAL'S OPERATING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND RESULTING COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE:WWW.SEATTLECHILDRENS.ORG/COMMUNITYHEALTHASSESSMENT
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: IN THE 2022 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (TAX YEARS 2021-2024), SEATTLE CHILDREN'S COMPILED EXISTING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH DATA TO DESCRIBE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND SOLICITED DIRECT FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND FAMILIES. TO GATHER INFORMATION AND ASSESS COMMUNITY NEEDS AND STRENGTHS, WE:- CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS AND AREA DEMOGRAPHICS FROM EXISTING SOURCES.- PROVIDED AN ONGOING DATA ANALYSIS WITH OUR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT(S) INCLUDING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH SEATTLE KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT'S ASSESSMENT, POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION UNIT AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH & BENEFIT TEAM AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S TO HELP US CONDUCT AND AUTHOR THE ASSESSMENT.- ENGAGED WITH COALITIONS THAT HAVE EXPERTISE ADDRESSING HEALTH NEEDS, HAVE DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP, AND HAVE A REGIONAL OR SUB-REGIONAL FOCUS. OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDED THOSE REPRESENTING THE BROAD INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY; REPRESENTATIVES OF MEDICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED, LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND/OR POPULATIONS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND FROM THE KING COUNTY ACCOUNTABLE COMMUNITY OF HEALTH, HEALTHIERHERE.- WE HOSTED LISTENING SESSIONS WITH YOUTH, PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND EXPERTS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS AS WELL AS CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF KEY INFORMANTS, STAKEHOLDERS AND PARENTS IN THE REGION. - WE REVIEWED RECENT REPORTS ON LOCAL AND STATE HEALTH NEEDS. - TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND ASSETS, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S SURVEYED AND INTERVIEWED STAKEHOLDERS, CONSULTED RECENT COMMUNITY-BASED REPORTS AND PULLED INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS HOSPITAL CHNAS FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS THEY WORKED IN FOR THE MONTH.- APPROXIMATELY 85% OF THE PARTICIPANTS TAKING PART IN THESE MEETINGS, LISTENING SESSIONS AND SURVEY RESPONDENTS SELF IDENTIFIED AS EITHER LOW-INCOME, PEOPLE OF COLOR, OR FROM MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES OR IDENTIFIED AS REPRESENTING THESE POPULATIONS.WE USED TWO FRAMEWORKS: THE SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL AND THE SPECTRUM OF PREVENTION MODELS TO GATHER BACKGROUND ON AREAS OF NEED. WE ALSO REVIEWED EXISTING STRENGTHS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT FOCUS ON CHILD AND TEEN HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES.
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7D: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S EMAILED AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE CHNA TO ANYONE UPON REQUEST, INCLUDING THOSE WHO OPTED IN TO RECEIVE ONE AT OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT FORUMS.
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S 2022 CHNA CENTERS ON THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN WASHINGTON, ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO (WAMI). OUR CHNA IDENTIFIED FOUR SIGNIFICANT NEEDS, ALL OF WHICH ARE BEING ADDRESSED BY SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. BELOW IS AN ACCOUNTING OF THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED AND OUR RESPONSE TO EACH.THE CHNA RESEARCH YIELDED THE FOLLOWING ABOUT THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE, BUT IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT ACROSS THE WAMI REGION, MANY OF THESE RATES VARY BY RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, GEOGRAPHY, BEING IN A RURAL OR URBAN AREA, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, HEALTH LITERACY AND DISABILITY:(1) MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:THE UNITED STATES IS FACING A NATIONAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THIS CRISIS IS FELT LOCALLY IN THE WAMI REGION. DATA PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC INDICATES THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUTH WHO EXPERIENCED A MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE HAD DOUBLED NATIONALLY OVER THE PAST DECADE AND SUICIDE RATES AMONG YOUTH AGES 10-19 INCREASED STEADILY FROM 2007 TO 2016. THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HAS WORSENED DUE TO INCREASED NEED FOR SUPPORT AS WELL AS INCREASING BARRIERS IN ACCESS TO CARE FOR MANY PATIENT POPULATIONS. WASHINGTON, ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF SUICIDE FOR ADOLESCENTS AND CONSISTENTLY RANK AS STATES WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RATES OF YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS AND BELOW AVERAGE RATES OF ACCESS TO CARE. LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND UNDERSTANDING AS WELL AS CONTINUED MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA WERE CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED AS AREAS OF CONCERN. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE HIDDEN BARRIERS AND OTHER DIFFICULTIES IN NAVIGATING THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND FEW PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE IT. IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING OUR BED EXPANSION IN OUR PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE UNIT, WE HAVE CONTINUALLY EXPANDED THE PARTNERSHIP ACCESS LINE (PAL), A TELEPHONE-BASED CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO TREAT KIDS WHILE KEEPING THEM CLOSER TO HOME. CHILD PSYCHIATRISTS AFFILIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PROVIDE RAPID CONSULTATION RESPONSES DURING BUSINESS HOURS FOR ANY TYPE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THAT ARISES WITH ANY CHILD. FURTHER, WE HAVE EXPANDED TELEMENTAL HEALTH THAT ALLOWS CHILDREN IN CERTAIN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION TO SPEAK WITH A PSYCHIATRIST THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING. WE HAVE ALSO MAINTAINED THE WASHINGTON'S MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WHICH CONNECTS FAMILIES WITH OUTPATIENT PROVIDERS LOCALLY WHO HAVE OPENINGS IN THEIR SCHEDULE AND CAN MEET A CHILD'S SPECIALTY NEEDS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE OR LACK THEREOF. ANY WASHINGTON FAMILY CAN USE THIS FREE SERVICE AND WE MAKE REFERRALS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS 17 AND YOUNGER.LAST, WE HAVE RENEWED OUR FOCUS TO UPSTREAM EFFORTS AROUND MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. IN 2021, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S LAUNCHED AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE TITLED GENERATION REACH, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER A COALITION OF INTERNAL COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO COLLABORATE ON IMPROVING MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. REACH IS AN ACRONYM OUTLINING THE FIVE PILLARS OF FOCUS AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, ECOSYSTEM AND EQUITY, ACCESS, CAPITAL, AND HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. (2) SUICIDE AND INJURY PREVENTION:SUICIDE AND INJURY ARE ATTRIBUTED TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS. WHILE BOTH INTENTIONAL AND UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES ARE PREVALENT, MANY ARE PREVENTABLE. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S USES EVIDENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE-INFORMED SUICIDE AND INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND TEENS. INJURIES, SUICIDE, AND HOMICIDE ARE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS IN THE UNITED STATES. BETWEEN 2016 AND 2020, UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES REMAINED THE OVERALL TOP LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AGES ONE TO 24 IN WAMI. SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR AGES 10-24 IN WAMI. NOTABLY, AS OF 2019, NATIONWIDE FIREARM-RELATED INJURIES SURPASSED MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES AS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH FROM INJURY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WE CAN IMPLEMENT TO REDUCE HARM INCLUDE FIREARM SAFETY COUNSELING AND EDUCATION FROM HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS OR COMMUNITY ADVOCATES PAIRED WITH STORAGE DEVICE DISTRIBUTION TO PROMOTE SAFER FIREARM STORAGE AT HOME. INCORPORATING ANTI-RACIST AND TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS IS ESSENTIAL TO YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION. PROMOTING SECURE MEDICINE STORAGE, SAFE MEDICINE DISPOSAL, EDUCATION ON SAFE USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES, AND INCREASING ACCESS TO NALOXONE ARE KEY STRATEGIES TO PREVENT MEDICINE MISUSE, SELF-HARM, POISONING AND OVERDOSE. PARENTAL SUPPORT FOR POSITIVE PARENTING, SKILLS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC SUPPORT ARE EXAMPLES OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. ALSO, WE HAVE HELPED DEVELOP SUICIDE AND INJURY PREVENTION TACTICS WHERE WE TAILOR OUR MESSAGE ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL, KNOWLEDGE, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIORS OF EACH GROUP WE SERVE. IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND OPERATE THE FIREARM TRAGEDY PREVENTION NETWORK IN WASHINGTON STATE. WE HOST MULTIPLE EVIDENCE-BASED, FREE, SAFE FIREARM STORAGE GIVEAWAY EVENTS WHERE WE DISTRIBUTE LOCK BOXES AND TRIGGER LOCKS TO SAFELY STORE FIREARMS AS A WAY TO PREVENT SUICIDE AND PROVIDE ONE MECHANISM FOR LETHAL MEANS RESTRICTION. WE HOST CAR SEAT CHECK EVENTS WHERE TECHNICIANS WORK ALONGSIDE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO ENSURE CAR SEATS ARE PROPERLY INSTALLED AND SHARE THE CORRECT WAY TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD IN A MOTOR VEHICLE. WE ALSO HOST LOW COST CAR SEAT AND BOOSTER SEAT SALES WITH EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION IN OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO USE OUR EXPERTISE AROUND DROWNING TO IMPLEMENT OPEN WATER DROWNING PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMBERS OF THE STATEWIDE DROWNING PREVENTION NETWORK, PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFE KIDS, AND THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING HEAD START.(3) HEALTHY LIFESTYLES:ESTABLISHING FOUNDATIONS FOR GOOD NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAN HAVE IMPLICATIONS ON A CHILD'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL FACE CHALLENGES MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT BY 2023. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN CHILDREN ARE A MAJOR CONCERN DUE TO THEIR LONG-TERM EFFECTS. IN 2020, WASHINGTON STATE HAD A WEIGHT PROBLEM RATE OF 13.2% FOR CHILDREN AGES 10-17, RANKING IT 40TH IN THE NATION, WITH THAT RATE HAVING RISEN 50% SINCE 2016. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 60 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK, PREFERABLY DAILY. LESS THAN HALF OF CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON MET THAT LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN 2021 AND THIS FINDING WAS ECHOED IN LISTENING SESSIONS. FOOD INSECURITY POSES A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE TO ESTABLISHING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. FOOD INSECURITY IS WHEN CONSISTENT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE. IN 2021, 12.5% OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE U.S. WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITY. IN WASHINGTON, 20% OF CHILDREN LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. ACCORDING TO THE 2021 WASHINGTON HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY, 77% OF YOUTH CONSUME LESS THAN 5 SERVINGS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES PER DAY. BLACK AND HISPANIC FAMILIES IDENTIFIED AS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN WHITE FAMILIES. WHILE BENEFITS LIKE THE FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH ELECTRONIC BENEFITS USED MUCH LIKE A DEBIT CARD TO PURCHASE BREADS, CEREALS, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, MEAT, AND DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM PARTICIPATING STORES, MANY COMMUNITIES DO NOT EVEN HAVE A GROCERY STORE ACCESSIBLE IN THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. HALF OF SNAP BENEFICIARIES ARE CHILDREN. FAMILIES REPORTED THEY OFTEN HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS BETWEEN FOOD AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS, SUCH AS HOUSING. FAMILIES SHARED MANY CONCERNS ABOUT NUTRITION AND ACCESS TO HEALTHY AFFORDABLE FOODS. THE COST OF FOOD, INCLUDING PRODUCE, HAS INCREASED, ADDING MORE CHALLENGES TO FAMILIES ALREADY STRUGGLING TO ACQUIRE NUTRITIOUS FOODS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SINGULAR OR SIMPLE SOLUTION, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AS A PORTION OF ITS RESOURCE INVESTMENT. THESE STRATEGIES ARE FOUNDATIONAL IN CREATING FAIR AND EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES FOR ALL IN THE REGION. (CONTINUED ON FUTURE PAGE)
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13H: DUE TO SOCIOECONOMIC OR OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PATIENT IS HOMELESS, THE STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN RARE CASES MAY NOT BE COMPLETED. IN CASES WHERE A PATIENT CAN BE REASONABLY PRESUMED TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE ABSENCE OF RECEIVING ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF REVENUE CYCLE OR THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, OR THEIR DELEGATE, MAY ALSO APPROVE PATIENT ACCOUNT BALANCE WRITE-OFFS TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3E: AS STATED, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S CONDUCTED ITS FOURTH COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) IN 2022 TO COVER THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDING 2022-2025 (TAX YEARS 2021-2024). IN THIS CHNA, WE LOOKED AT AND ANALYZED OVER 150 INDICES OF PEDIATRIC HEALTH STATUS AND OUTCOMES IN THE WASHINGTON, ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO REGION. AS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE CHNA, THE PRIORITIZED AND SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS FOR THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION WE SERVE OVER THIS TIME PERIOD ARE: MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SUICIDE AND INJURY PREVENTION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES (AN OVERARCHING TERM MEANING SPECIFICALLY HEALTHY EATING, ACTIVE LIVING AND FOOD SECURITY). IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION TO PROVIDE HOPE, CARE AND CURES TO HELP EVERY CHILD LIVE THE HEALTHIEST AND MOST FULFILLING LIFE POSSIBLE, OUR CHNA LEANS INTO OUR VALUES OF EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, EQUITY AND INNOVATION TO BE A LEADER IN PEDIATRIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: "(CONTINUED FROM PRIOR PAGE)(4) ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY:APPROXIMATELY 30% OF CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES LIVE IN POVERTY OR NEAR POVERTY AND ONE IN THREE U.S. CHILDREN SPEND ONE YEAR OR MORE LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT IS BELOW THE POVERTY LINE BEFORE THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY. THE POVERTY LEVEL IS SET BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) AND IS THE SAME FOR A FAMILY IN SEATTLE AS IT IS FOR A FAMILY IN WAPATO. EVEN THOUGH WASHINGTON IS AMONG THE TOP FIVE STATES WITH THE MOST ROBUST ECONOMY, 14% OF CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS THAT FALL UNDER THE POVERTY THRESHOLD, WHICH IS SET AT AN ANNUAL INCOME OF $24,860 OR LESS FOR A FAMILY OF THREE. CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON WHO IDENTIFY AS ""OTHER"" RACE ARE AT AN EVEN HIGHER PERCENTAGE: 22.5%. THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF LIVING UNDER ECONOMIC INSECURITY MANIFEST IN SEVERAL WAYS AND ARE LINKED TO POORER HEALTH OUTCOMES. REDUCING CHILD POVERTY AND PROMOTING ECONOMIC SECURITY AND MOBILITY NOT ONLY IMPROVES WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO HAS LONG-TERM NET BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY, SUCH AS HIGHER TAXES PAID, LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS, AND LESS CRIME. INVESTING IN THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN -- OUR NATION'S FUTURE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LEADERS -- IS CRITICAL TO EFFECTIVELY MAINTAIN AND CULTIVATE A THRIVING REGION. BECAUSE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEALTH, LOCATION AND HEALTH HAS BEEN WELL-ESTABLISHED, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S SEEKS TO INTENTIONALLY LEVERAGE OUR ASSETS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH EQUITY BY IMPROVING ECONOMIC VITALITY AND ADDRESSING OTHER SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. INVESTING IN TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, EDUCATION (INCLUDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION), AND EMPLOYMENT ARE SOME AVENUES SEATTLE CHILDREN'S WILL TARGET TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC SECURITY IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS WAMI.OUR GOALS IN THIS AREA ARE TO BECOME AN ANCHOR INSTITUTION THROUGH PLACE-BASED WORK AND INVESTMENTS LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY. THIS MEANS DOCUMENTING A MEASURED INCREASE IN OUR LOCAL AND DIVERSE HIRING, ESPECIALLY FROM UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN OUR REGION. WE HAVE SIMILAR GOALS FOR PURCHASED SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AS WELL AS MEASURABLES OF LOCAL AND DIVERSE HIRING IN EACH OF OUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. WE PLAN ON DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING LOCAL HOUSING SUPPORTS, SUPPORTING THE MEDICAL LEGAL PARTNERSHIP, AND PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION SUPPORTS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING CARE. WE CONTINUE TO CONTRACT WITH OUR LOCAL MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER, HOPELINK, TO STAFF A DESK AT THE HOSPITAL AND FACILITATE RIDES FOR FAMILIES TO AND FROM THEIR APPOINTMENTS.ASSESSMENT RESULTS HAVE VALIDATED OUR EXISTING WORK AND HAVE HELPED US PRIORITIZE WHERE AND HOW TO FOCUS OUR CHNA. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND THE FINITE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MEET THEM, WE HAVE DIFFICULT CHOICES. WE BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS, OUR EFFORTS WILL HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY."
-
Supplemental Information
PART I, LINE 3C: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (SEATTLE CHILDREN'S) USES THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES (FPG) AS ITS PRIMARY CRITERIA FOR QUALIFYING PATIENTS WHO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. FAMILIES WHO RESIDE IN OUR REGION WITH INCOME BELOW OR EQUAL TO 400% FPG BASED ON THEIR FAMILY SIZE QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. FURTHERMORE, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S RECOGNIZES THAT FAMILIES WHO HAVE HIGH BALANCES, EVEN WITH HIGHER INCOMES, CAN EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES WHOSE INCOME IS BETWEEN 400% AND 599% FPG, WHO HAVE INCURRED SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNT BALANCES, AND WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING FROM OTHER SOURCES ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR PARTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEREBY THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR BILL WHICH IS PROPORTIONATELY DISCOUNTED BASED ON THEIR INCOME AND SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS THE REMAINING BALANCES. FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE A DENIAL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BASED ON THE FPG AND FAMILY SIZE INFORMATION ARE ALLOWED TO APPEAL THE DENIAL BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES IMPACTING THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION SUCH AS EXCESSIVE MEDICAL DEBT. THE VICE PRESIDENT OF REVENUE CYCLE OR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, OR THEIR DELEGATE, MAY ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BASED ON THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THESE SAME INDIVIDUALS CAN ALSO GRANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN SPECIAL CASES BASED ON SOCIOECONOMIC OR OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PATIENT IS HOMELESS, OR DUE TO OTHER REASONS WHEN THE STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EVEN THOUGH THE PATIENT CAN BE REASONABLY PRESUMED TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F): THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A), BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $ 2,273,538.
PART I, LINE 7: THE MISSION OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT PATIENT CARE FOR CHILDREN, TO ENGAGE IN INNOVATIVE RESEARCH THAT WILL IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN, TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF PHYSICIANS, OTHER HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND SCIENTISTS WHO WILL ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN, AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF CHILDREN. AS PART OF ITS MISSION, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS COMMITTED TO CARING FOR CHILDREN IN ITS SERVICE AREA IRRESPECTIVE OF ABILITY TO PAY AND TO OTHERWISE IDENTIFY AND HELP TO MEET THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTS THE ESTIMATED COST OF CARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED AND WHOSE FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEIR MEDICAL CARE. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY BASED ON FAMILY NEED AND MAINTAINS RECORDS TO IDENTIFY THE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IT PROVIDES. THE DETERMINATION OF FAMILY NEED IS EVALUATED DURING A PATIENT'S COURSE OF CARE AND CAN BE UPDATED AFTER CARE IS COMPLETE. BECAUSE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S DOES NOT PURSUE COLLECTION OF THESE AMOUNTS DETERMINED TO QUALIFY AS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY ARE NOT REPORTED AS REVENUE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IS BASED ON A RATIO OF HOSPITAL TOTAL PATIENT CARE COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOSPITAL TOTAL GROSS PATIENT CARE CHARGES. THIS COST RATIO IS APPLIED TO GROSS CHARGES RELATED TO CHARITY CARE SERVICES, RESULTING IN THE ESTIMATED COST OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.MEDICAID PAYMENT SHORTFALL REPRESENTS THE ESTIMATED COST OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO PATIENTS COVERED UNDER MEDICAID IN EXCESS OF PAYMENTS RECEIVED. THE ESTIMATED COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO MEDICAID PATIENTS IS BASED ON A RATIO OF HOSPITAL TOTAL PATIENT CARE COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOSPITAL TOTAL GROSS PATIENT CARE CHARGES. THIS COST RATIO IS APPLIED TO GROSS CHARGES RELATED TO SERVICES PROVIDED TO MEDICAID PATIENTS, RESULTING IN THE ESTIMATED COST OF PROVIDING CARE TO THESE PATIENTS.OTHER BENEFITS REPRESENT THE COSTS OF PROVIDING PROGRAMS, NET OF DIRECT OFFSETTING REVENUES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE RESEARCH, HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION AND VARIOUS OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS.
PART III, LINE 2: THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE PROVIDED IS BASED ON THE RATIO OF TOTAL PATIENT CARE COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS PATIENT CARE CHARGES. THIS COST RATIO IS APPLIED TO GROSS BAD DEBT EXPENSE, RESULTING IN BAD DEBT EXPENSE AT COST. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S CHARACTERIZES SELF PAY AS BAD DEBT WHEN A FAMILY IS EITHER NOT ELIGIBLE OR HAS NOT APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PAY AN OUTSTANDING ACCOUNT BALANCE. THE MOST COMMON PATIENT BAD DEBT SCENARIOS INCLUDE UNPAID SELF PAY PORTIONS OF ACCOUNT BALANCES AFTER INSURANCE OR THIRD PARTY ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS OR UNPAID ACCOUNT BALANCES AFTER A BANKRUPTCY FILING. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS SENSITIVE TO THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF FAMILIES AND RECOGNIZES THAT FAMILY FINANCIAL CONCERNS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATED. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS COMMITTED TO MANAGING COLLECTION EFFORTS INTERNALLY, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER AND WITHOUT USING EXTERNAL COLLECTION OR CREDIT AGENCIES, EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS. SINCE ALL COLLECTION EFFORTS ARE MANAGED INTERNALLY, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S DOES NOT DISCLOSE ITS COLLECTION PRACTICE IN THE FOOTNOTES OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
PART III, LINE 4: "THE METHOD FOR DETERMINING UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS IS DISCUSSED IN THE SECTION OF FOOTNOTE 9 TITLED ""PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE,"" WHICH IS FOUND ON PAGE 30 OF THE ATTACHED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS."
PART III, LINE 8: MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS ARE OBTAINED DIRECTLY FROM THE MEDICARE COST REPORT AND ARE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEDICARE PRINCIPLES OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE MAJORITY OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S MEDICARE PATIENTS ARE CHILDREN WITH END STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD) THAT INCLUDES DIALYSIS CARE AND OFTEN A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT ALONG WITH OTHER RELATED SERVICES. THE ESRD CARE OFTEN RESULTS IN A LONGER LENGTH OF STAY AND HIGHER ACUITY. MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE SERVICES IS SUBJECT TO THE LIMITS OF THE TAX EQUITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT, WHICH ARE OFTEN BELOW SEATTLE CHILDREN'S COST. THE ACTUAL SHORTFALL IN COST REIMBURSEMENT SHOULD AT LEAST BE TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
PART VI, LINE 6: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS NOT PART OF AN AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
PART VI, LINE 7: BECAUSE THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO DO SO, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DOES NOT FILE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IN WASHINGTON OR ANY OTHER STATE.
PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES: IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, AS PART OF OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE HOPE, CARE AND CURES, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROVIDED $4 MILLION IN COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. EACH YEAR, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S MAKES PROACTIVE AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BE AND STAY HEALTHY IN THE PLACES WHERE THEY LIVE, PLAY AND LEARN. WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON OUR LONG AND STRONG RECORD OF COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, BUSINESSES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES AND REDUCING HEALTH INEQUITIES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS SOME DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. SOME EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:- ODESSA BROWN CHILDREN'S CLINIC (OBCC) IS A COMMUNITY CLINIC OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S. OBCC HAS LONG EMPLOYED A THRIVING COMMUNITY APPROACH FOR THEIR PATIENTS: CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE 21 WHO RECEIVE CARE FROM A TEAM OF SPECIALLY TRAINED PEDIATRIC CARE PROVIDERS. OBCC HAS A RICH HERITAGE OF SERVING A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH A TEAM THAT REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY SERVED. THE CLINIC'S NEWEST LOCATION NEAR THE OTHELLO LINK LIGHT RAIL STATION OPENED IN MARCH 2022. THIS OTHELLO LOCATION IS CLOSER TO 75% OF FAMILIES SERVED BY OBCC WHO HAVE MOVED TO SOUTH SEATTLE AND SOUTH KING COUNTY FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE CLINIC IS LOCATED WITHIN OTHELLO SQUARE, AN URBAN COMMUNITY CONCEPT ON 3.2 ACRES THAT OFFERS COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES, PARTNERS AND RESIDENCES. THESE INCLUDE AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CENTER, COMPUTER LAB, CHARTER SCHOOL, EARLY LEARNING CENTER AND MIXED-INCOME HOUSING. OBCC PROVIDES MEDICAL, DENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO OVER 40,000 PATIENTS A YEAR, FOCUSING ESPECIALLY ON FAMILIES IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. OBCC'S MODEL FOR CARE IS UNIQUE AND ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ROOTS OF ILLNESS. OBCC HAS A MULTI-PRONGED AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO HEALTH: ONE THAT AIMS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNDER OR UNINSURED, PROMOTE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, IMPROVE CARE COORDINATION AND ENCOURAGE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. - OUR CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL STAFF AND PROVIDERS PROVIDE MENTORING AND SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES THAT DISCUSS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTHCARE TO UNDER-RESOURCED STUDENTS AND PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS. ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WE OFFER REACHES OUT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND MEDICAL SCHOOL TO INCREASE THEIR SKILL SET WHEN APPLYING. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE NEONATAL AND PEDIATRIC CLINICAL TRAINING TO RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS AT LOCAL COLLEGES. OUR GOAL IS TO TRAIN RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS TO PROPERLY ASSESS PATIENTS FOR RESPIRATORY INTERVENTIONS. ONCE THESE THERAPISTS ARE CREDENTIALED AND LICENSED, THEY WILL JOIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. THEIR SKILLS TO ASSESS PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WILL HAVE A VALUABLE IMPACT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEPLOYMENT. IN LIGHT OF CERTAIN TYPES OF DISASTERS AND GLOBAL PANDEMICS, WE ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ASSESS THE NEED FOR AND ADMINISTER COMPLEX RESPIRATORY THERAPY TREATMENTS TO PEDIATRIC PATIENTS, SO THE TYPE OF TRAINING WE OFFER IS CRUCIAL. - ANOTHER COMMUNITY BUILDING OFFERING IS OUR SCIENCE ADVENTURE LAB AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS. THE SCIENCE ADVENTURE LAB IS A CUSTOM-BUILT, MOBILE SCIENCE LAB OUTFITTED WITH RESEARCH GRADE EQUIPMENT AND SPACE FOR UP TO 30 STUDENTS AT A TIME. THE MOBILE LAB TRAVELS TO SCHOOLS ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE, HANDS-ON SCIENCE CURRICULUM TO STUDENTS IN GRADES FOUR AND ABOVE. AT THIS STAGE OF THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND, SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY. WE CRAFTED NUMEROUS PRECAUTIONS IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 TO ALLOW OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS TO RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING INCLUDING DEPLOYING HEPA FILTRATION IN OUR MOBILE LAB WITH 15 AIR CHANGES PER HOUR (WHILE A STANDARD CLASSROOM IS REQUIRED TO HAVE 4-6). WE ALSO HAD FULLY VACCINATED INSTRUCTORS. OVER THE LAST YEAR WE INTERACTED WITH MORE THAN 2,458 STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS THAT ENRICHED EXISTING CLASSROOM EDUCATION WHILE SERVING AN ADDITIONAL 2,552 STUDENTS IN VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS. IN ADDITION TO THE MOBILE AND VIRTUAL LABS, OUR SCIENCE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HOSTS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR EXPOSURE TO CAREERS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE AND SERVED OVER 220 HIGH SCHOOLERS IN OUR RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM. WE CONTINUED OUR PROGRAMS WITH HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HELPED DOZENS OF STUDENTS GAIN EXPOSURE TO BIOMEDICAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS. ADDITIONALLY WE PARTICIPATED IN SOUND CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE WEEK AS WELL AS MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PURSUING CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE OR PEDIATRIC HEALTH RESEARCH.- WE HAVE ALSO INCREASED OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS AMONGST HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE REGION. EXAMPLES OF OUR INCLUSION NETWORKS ARE: Q POD (LGBTQ) NETWORK, THE GREEN TEAM (SUSTAINABILITY) NETWORK, THE PARENTING NETWORK AND THE BLACK AND AFRICAN HERITAGE NETWORK. THESE GROUPS HAVE PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT PROGRAMMING LED BY LOCAL LEADERS AND TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S. - WE ALSO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIPS TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PARENTING EDUCATION. WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND COALITIONS THAT ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION, AND HELP MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER AND HEALTHIER. THIS WORK IS CAPTURED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S ANCHOR MISSION WHEREBY WE ARE WORKING TO ALIGN OUR INSTITUTIONAL ASSETS TO MEANINGFULLY IMPACT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FACTORS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CREATE HEALTH: GOOD JOBS AND DECENT WAGES; SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND A HEALTHY, CLEAN, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
PART III, LINE 9B: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S REVENUE CYCLE DEPARTMENT USES A STANDARD, RESPECTFUL PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING UNPAID PATIENT BALANCES. A. THE STANDARD PROCESS INCLUDES OFFERING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.B. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROVIDES A STANDARD 25% DISCOUNT ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS WHO ARE UNINSURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THIS DISCOUNT ALIGNS WITH OR IS LOWER THAN DISCOUNTS PROVIDED TO COMMERCIAL INSURERS.C. ADDITIONALLY, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S ATTEMPTS TO ACCOMMODATE U.S. FAMILIES WHO DESIRE TO SET UP REASONABLE INTEREST-FREE PAYMENT PLANS.D. IF A PATIENT ACCOUNT BALANCE REMAINS UNPAID AFTER STANDARD INTERNAL COLLECTION PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED, AND IF THE FAMILY HAS NOT APPLIED FOR OR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE ACCOUNT BALANCE WILL BE WRITTEN OFF AS BAD DEBT IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD PROCEDURAL TIMELINES. - UPON RECEIPT OF A PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY NOTICE, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IDENTIFIES ANY OUTSTANDING ACCOUNT BALANCES FOR THE ASSOCIATED PATIENT AND WRITES OFF THESE BALANCES AS BAD DEBT. - SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FINANCE DEPARTMENT MONITORS THE PORTION OF OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE THAT IS CLASSIFIED AS BAD DEBT FOR SIGNIFICANT VARIANCES. - SEATTLE CHILDREN'S STANDARD PRACTICE IS TO COLLECT ON OUTSTANDING PATIENT ACCOUNTS USING INTERNAL RESOURCES. 1. REPORTS ARE NOT SENT TO CREDIT AGENCIES. 2. COLLECTION AGENCIES WILL NOT BE USED TO COLLECT ANY OUTSTANDING PATIENT ACCOUNT EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF REVENUE CYCLE. 3. THE USE OF COLLECTION AGENCIES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED IN VERY RARE SCENARIOS WHERE THE FAMILY RESIDES OUTSIDE OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S SERVICE AREA (E.G., INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS). 4. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S WILL NOT FILE A LIEN AGAINST A PATIENT'S OR FAMILY'S PRIMARY RESIDENCE TO SECURE PAYMENT ON PATIENT ACCOUNT BALANCES.
PART VI, LINE 2: IN ADDITION TO CONDUCTING ITS PEDIATRIC CHNA, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S COLLABORATES WITH OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE KING COUNTY REGION TO JOINTLY AUTHOR A SECOND AND MORE GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S ALSO DEVELOPS AND AUTHORS A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT INVESTIGATES AND RESEARCHES THE CURRENT STATE OF SPECIALTY CARE ACCESS, MENTAL HEALTH AND EMERGENCY CARE ACCESS, AND SHORTAGE ISSUES INCLUDING BOTH SERVICES AND STAFFING. WE ALSO ASSESS THE ONGOING NEED FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE SUPPORT AND DETERMINE POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS TO BETTER ADDRESS THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN IN OUR REGION. FINALLY, NUMEROUS PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS IN THE HOSPITAL CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY HEALTH PROMOTION, HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
PART VI, LINE 3: INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO EVERY FAMILY THAT COMES TO SEATTLE CHILDREN'S, WHETHER FOR AN INPATIENT STAY, CLINIC VISIT, SURGERY OR THROUGH THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. BOTH APPLICATION FORMS AND SIGNAGE ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, VIETNAMESE, RUSSIAN, AND SOMALI. IN PERSON INTERPRETERS AND THE HOSPITAL'S SPEAK LINE, WHICH ACCESSES TELEPHONE INTERPRETATION, HELP PROVIDE INFORMATION TO FAMILIES WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AN APPLICATION FORM IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITE. ALL REGISTRATION DESKS HAVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION VISIBLE AND AVAILABLE. EVERY INPATIENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FAMILY IS OFFERED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION, WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE INSURANCE. A STATEMENT ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED DURING THE ELECTRONIC CHECK-IN PROCESS THROUGH THE PATIENT PORTAL AND ALSO INCLUDED ON ALL HOSPITAL BILLS, REGARDLESS OF INSURANCE STATUS.FINANCIAL COUNSELORS ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH FAMILIES TO HELP DETERMINE WHAT ASSISTANCE THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR AND TO HELP THEM COMPLETE AND SUBMIT FORMS. THE FINANCIAL COUNSELORS RECEIVE INFORMATION THROUGH THE SCHEDULING SYSTEM THAT IDENTIFIES UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED FAMILIES. FINANCIAL COUNSELORS CONTACT FAMILIES TO CLARIFY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AND TO OFFER THEIR HELP WITH APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY HELP FAMILIES DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, INCLUDING MEDICAID AND QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS SOLD ON THE STATE INSURANCE EXCHANGE. SOCIAL WORKERS ALSO HELP SCREEN FAMILIES FOR FINANCIAL NEEDS AND REFER PATIENTS TO FINANCIAL COUNSELORS.
PART VI, LINE 4: WITH A SERVICE AREA OF ALMOST ONE MILLION SQUARE MILES, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S SERVES AS THE PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT MEDICAL CENTER FOR WASHINGTON, ALASKA, IDAHO, AND MONTANA, THE LARGEST GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF ANY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES. WE PRIMARILY SERVE CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 21 YEARS OLD, MOST OF WHOM ARE FROM WASHINGTON STATE. OVER 51% OF OUR PATIENTS ARE UNINSURED OR INSURED BY MEDICAID OR THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (KNOWN AS CHIP OR APPLE HEALTH FOR KIDS IN WASHINGTON STATE). IN 2022, WE HAD 391,653 PATIENT VISITS. 17% OF OUR PATIENTS CAME FROM SEATTLE, 32% FROM KING COUNTY, 47% FROM LOCATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE OUTSIDE KING COUNTY, 3% FROM ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO AND 1% FROM AREAS OUTSIDE THE REGION. THESE AREAS ARE URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL, AND FRONTIER COMMUNITIES. DEMOGRAPHICALLY, 43.6% OF OUR PATIENTS IDENTIFY AS NON-HISPANIC WHITE, 19.2% IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC/LATINX, 11.9% AS AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE, 6.8% ARE UNKNOWN OR DID NOT ANSWER, 6.4% AS TWO OR MORE RACES, 6.1% AS BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, AND 5.1% AS ASIAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND/OR OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER.OF THE MORE THAN 7.7 MILLION RESIDENTS OF WASHINGTON STATE, NEARLY 22% ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD. WASHINGTON STATE DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT 15% OF THE POPULATION ARE FOREIGN-BORN WITH 23.4% SPEAKING A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH AT HOME. OF THE 1.7 MILLION CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN WASHINGTON STATE, 21% OF THEM ARE OF HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN. ALSO, 18% OF CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON STATE AND LIVE IN POVERTY AND WHILE POVERTY IS CONCENTRATED IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS, RURAL CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON STATE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY POVERTY: 21% OF RURAL CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON LIVE IN POVERTY COMPARED TO 13% OF URBAN CHILDREN. THE ONGOING ECONOMIC DEVASTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC DROVE WASHINGTONIANS ONTO MEDICAID IN RECORD NUMBERS: THE STATE MEDICAID SYSTEM HAS SEEN ENROLLMENT JUMP 11% DURING THE PANDEMIC AND NOW INSURES 2 MILLION WASHINGTONIANS. THAT'S MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE WASHINGTON RESIDENTS, INCLUDING NEARLY HALF THE STATE'S CHILDREN. WHILE MEDICAID EXPANSION HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN REDUCING THE UNINSURED RATE IN WASHINGTON STATE, DATA TELLS US THAT WASHINGTON STATE'S UNINSURED RATE WAS 6.2% IN MARCH OF 2020 PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC BUT ROSE TO 12.6% DURING THE PANDEMIC.AS THE PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT MEDICAL CENTER FOR WASHINGTON, ALASKA, IDAHO, AND MONTANA, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HAS SPECIALIZED IN MEETING THE UNIQUE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN FROM INFANCY THROUGH YOUNG ADULTHOOD. THROUGH THE COLLABORATION OF PHYSICIANS AND OTHER CARE PROVIDERS IN NEARLY 60 PEDIATRIC SUBSPECIALTIES, WE PROVIDE INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, DIAGNOSTIC, SURGICAL, REHABILITATIVE, BEHAVIORAL, EMERGENCY, AND OUTREACH SERVICES REGARDLESS OF A FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY. WHILE 96% OF OUR PATIENTS HAIL FROM WASHINGTON STATE, THE STATE ITSELF HAS 33 MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS AND POPULATIONS THROUGHOUT ITS 39 COUNTIES.
PART VI, LINE 5: "SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CONSISTING OF BETWEEN 15-30 VOTING TRUSTEES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FUNCTIONS THROUGH COMMITTEES THAT ARE STAFFED WITH TRUSTEES OF RESPECTIVE BOARDS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED BY THAT COMMITTEE, AND IN SOME CASES INCLUDE OUTSIDE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES WHEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S ALSO EXTENDS MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN ITS COMMUNITY FOR SOME OF ITS DEPARTMENTS. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S ALSO HAS REGIONAL STRATEGIC AFFILIATIONS WITH THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES:- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (UWSOM)SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HAS HAD A FORMAL AFFILIATION WITH THE UWSOM SINCE 1974. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PROVIDES THE PEDIATRIC COMPONENT OF THE UWSOM UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE HOSPITAL-BASED PEDIATRIC TRAINING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMS.THE UWSOM, A REGIONAL RESOURCE FOR WASHINGTON, WYOMING, ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO, IS A NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN MEDICAL EDUCATION, PATIENT CARE, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE UWSOM HAS 30 DEPARTMENTS, MANY CENTERS AND NUMEROUS AFFILIATIONS THROUGHOUT THE FIVE-STATE REGION. THE UWSOM OFFERS EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THE BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, PRIMARY CARE AND THE SPECIALTIES OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. IT HAS A FULL-TIME REGULAR AND RESEARCH FACULTY OF APPROXIMATELY 2,400. IN ADDITION TO TRAINING FUTURE PHYSICIANS, THE FACULTY ALSO TEACHES GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN MANY DISCIPLINES, AND 4,600 VOLUNTEER AND PART-TIME CLINICAL FACULTY MEMBERS TEACH STUDENTS IN TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. THE UWSOM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE 450-BED UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER AND THE 413-BED HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, WITH WHICH SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SHARES A DESIGNATION AS A PEDIATRIC LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER. - CHILDREN'S UNIVERSITY MEDICAL GROUP (CUMG)SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (THE ""UW"") JOINTLY CONTROL CUMG, A WASHINGTON NONPROFIT CORPORATION AND A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. CUMG IS A PEDIATRIC PRACTICE PLAN THAT EMPLOYS AND MANAGES THE CLINICAL PRACTICES OF APPROXIMATELY 500 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS WHO ARE BOTH MEMBERS OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF AND PEDIATRIC FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE UWSOM.- PROVIDENCE-CHILDREN'S NEONATAL SERVICES, LLC (PCNS)SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATES IN A JOINT VENTURE WITH PROVIDENCE EVERETT MEDICAL CENTER (PEMC), AN UNRELATED COMMUNITY-BASED HOSPITAL LOCATED IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON. CHILDREN'S AND PEMC EACH OWN A 50% INTEREST IN PROVIDENCE-CHILDREN'S NEONATAL SERVICES, LLC. PCNS MANAGES THE OPERATIONS OF THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT PEMC AND PROVIDES NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SERVICES TO PEMC.- SEATTLE CANCER CARE ALLIANCE (SCCA)UNTIL APRIL 2022, THE SEATTLE CANCER CARE ALLIANCE, A WASHINGTON NONPROFIT CORPORATION AND 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, OFFERED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF INTEGRATED CANCER CARE SERVICES. ITS MEMBERS WERE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, UW, AND FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER. SCCA OPERATED AN AMBULATORY CANCER CARE SERVICES FACILITY AND A 20-BED LICENSED HOSPITAL INSIDE UWMC. IN APRIL 2022, THE MEMBERS OF SCCA COMPLETED A RESTRUCTURE OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM EXITED THE SCCA. THE RESTRUCTURE RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF THE FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO COLLABORATE WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH INTEGRATED CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND PROVISION OF PEDIATRIC CANCER CARE."