4A (Expenses $ 1384395315 including grants of $ 2087131) (Revenue $ 1641432635)
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC. (NGMC) INCLUDES CAMPUSES IN GAINESVILLE AND BRASELTON, GEORGIA AND IS AFFILIATED WITH NGMC BARROW AND NGMC LUMPKIN. AS A PART OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM, NGMC SERVES MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION. **SEE SCHEDULE O FOR PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION**

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PARTNERED AND COLLABORATED TO CONDUCT A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) FOR COMMUNITIES THEY (CHNA PARTNERS) SERVE IN NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA: -DISTRICT 2 PUBLIC HEALTH -HABERSHAM MEDICAL CENTER -GOOD NEWS CLINICS -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER GAINESVILLE -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER BRASELTON -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER BARROW -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER LUMPKIN -STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITALTHROUGH THIS ASSESSMENT, THE CHNA PARTNERS WORKED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LOCAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, IDENTIFY HEALTH TRENDS, DETERMINE GAPS IN THE CURRENT HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM, AND CRAFT A PLAN TO ADDRESS THOSE GAPS AND THE IDENTIFIED HEALTH NEEDS. THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY EACH OF THE PARTNERS OVERLAPPED AND COMBINED TO INCLUDE ALL OR PART OF 14 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA. THESE COMMUNITIES REFLECT THE FOLLOWING SERVICE AREAS: -HABERSHAM MEDICAL CENTER (HMC): HABERSHAM, BANKS, AND RABUN COUNTIES -NGMC PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (PSA): HALL COUNTY -NGMC GREATER BRASELTON SERVICE AREA (GBSA): BARROW AND JACKSON COUNTIES, PARTS OF GWINNETT AND HALL COUNTIES -NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA 400 (SSA 400): DAWSON AND LUMPKIN COUNTIES -NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA NORTH (SSA NORTH): BANKS, HABERSHAM, RABUN, STEPHENS, TOWNS, UNION, AND WHITE COUNTIES -STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL (SCH): STEPHENS AND FRANKLIN COUNTIESPUBLIC GOODS GROUP (PGG) WAS ENGAGED BY THE PARTNERS TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE QUANTITATIVE DATA FOR THE CHNA AND OVER 190 PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS WERE EXAMINED IN THE COMMUNITIES REPRESENTED WITHIN THE ABOVE-NAMED NORTHEAST GEORGIA COMMUNITIES. A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT WAS THEN CONDUCTED TO SOLICIT THE INPUT OF MORE THAN 4,900 PEOPLE THROUGH SIX CHANNELS: FOCUS GROUPS, INTERVIEWS, IN-PERSON SURVEYS, A MULTI-LINGUAL ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY, AN ONLINE EMPLOYEE SURVEY, AND LISTENING SESSIONS. THE COMMUNITY SURVEY WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE EMPLOYEE SURVEY WAS OPEN TO ALL EMPLOYEES OF EACH PARTNER ORGANIZATION. PARTICIPANTS IN LISTENING SESSIONS, FOCUS GROUPS, AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WERE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS SERVING AND/OR REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME, AND/OR MINORITY POPULATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2022, THE THOMOSS GROUP INTERVIEWED KEY STAKEHOLDERS WITH PARTICULAR EXPERTISE OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE VARIOUS SERVICE AREAS TO GAIN EACH COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVE. THIRTY-FIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH ENTITIES, MINORITY POPULATIONS, FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITIES, MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS WERE INTERVIEWED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STAFF OF GOOD NEWS CLINICS, DISTRICT 2 PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONDUCTED IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS WITH APPROXIMATELY 190 COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPRESENTING THOSE SETTINGS. THESE CONVERSATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO CAPTURE RESPONDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HOW WELL THEIR HEALTH CARE NEEDS WERE BEING MET AND WHAT OBSTACLES INTERFERED WITH THEIR NEEDS. EIGHT FOCUS GROUPS WERE CONDUCTED FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS, AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS FOR EACH ARE NOTED IN PARENTHESES. -NGMC PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (15) -NGMC GREATER BRASELTON SERVICE AREA (11) -NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA 400 (5) -NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA NORTH (7) -HALL COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION NETWORK (15) -AFRICAN AMERICAN STAKEHOLDERS, HOSTED BY THE NEWTOWN FLORIST CLUB (13) -GWINNETT HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION (5) -HISPANIC AND LATINO STAKEHOLDERS, HOSTED BY THE HISPANIC ALLIANCE (26)IN MARCH 2022, AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNITY-BASED SURVEY TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY INPUT WAS RELEASED AND WIDELY ADVERTISED TO THE COMMUNITY VIA PRESS RELEASES, PARTNER WEBSITES, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. SURVEY QUESTIONS CAN BE FOUND IN APPENDIX ELEVEN. APPROXIMATELY 4,200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS COMPLETED THE SURVEY, WHICH WAS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND VIETNAMESE. AN EMPLOYEE SURVEY WAS ALSO RELEASED THROUGH EACH PARTNER ORGANIZATION. APPROXIMATELY 460 EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT ALL CHNA PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDED.THE OUTCOME OF THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS WAS THEN COMPARED WITH THE QUALITATIVE FINDINGS TO CREATE A LIST OF HEALTH NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. EACH HEALTH NEED WAS ASSIGNED TO ONE OF FOUR QUADRANTS IN A HEALTH NEEDS MATRIX WHICH PRIORITIZES HEALTH NEEDS AS: -LOW DATA + LOW QUALITATIVE: NEITHER THE BENCHMARK ANALYSIS NOR THE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATED A PARTICULAR INDICATOR WAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. -LOW DATA + HIGH QUALITATIVE: THE BENCHMARK ANALYSIS DID NOT IDENTIFY THE INDICATOR AS A COMPARATIVELY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM BUT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERVIEWED OR SURVEYED RELAYED IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. -HIGH DATA + LOW QUALITATIVE: THE BENCHMARK ANALYSIS SHOWS A PARTICULAR INDICATOR WAS AN ISSUE BUT IT WAS NOT MENTIONED OFTEN, IF AT ALL, BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERVIEWED OR SURVEYED. -HIGH DATA + HIGH QUALITATIVE: BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THE BENCHMARK ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED A PARTICULAR INDICATOR AS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. THIS HELPED THE CHNA PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY THE TOP HEALTH NEEDS FOR EACH COMMUNITY. NEEDS CATEGORIZED AS HIGH DATA AND HIGH QUALITATIVE WERE FURTHER ANALYZED DURING THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS.IN MAY 2022, THE CHNA PARTNERS AND ADVISORS CONSISTING OF BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HOSTED THREE PRIORITIZATION SESSIONS TO DETERMINE THE PRIORITIES EACH ENTITY WOULD ADDRESS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. CRITERIA USED TO SELECT THE PRIORITIES INCLUDED: -ROOT CAUSE AND DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS -MAGNITUDE AND EXTENT OF THE ISSUE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY -ABILITY OF CHNA PARTNERS TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE ISSUEAS A RESULT OF THIS PROCESS, THE FOLLOWING HEALTH PRIORITIES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR NGMC HOSPITALS: -ACCESS TO CARE -MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH -HEALTHY BEHAVIORSFOR EACH PRIORITY, NGMC WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH EQUITY BY REDUCING THE IMPACT OF POVERTY AND OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS ON THAT PRIORITY BY IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMING AND INVESTMENT IN AREAS THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO INCOME AND POVERTY AND INDIVIDUALS WHO FACE PARTICULAR CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING CARE DUE TO DISABILITY, RACE, ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, AND OTHER AREAS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.THE FULL CHNA REPORT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AT NGHS.COM/COMMUNITY-BENEFIT-RESOURCES. AN INTERACTIVE DATA PLATFORM CREATED THROUGH TABLEAU IS AVAILABLE TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT NORTHEASTGEORGIACHNA.COM. THIS PLATFORM PROVIDES ACCESS TO BOTH ZIP CODE AND COUNTY-LEVEL PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE CHNA, INCLUDING DEMOGRAPHICS, SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS, DISEASE PREVALENCE, INSURANCE COVERAGE, AND PREVENTABLE HOSPITALIZATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, DOWNLOADABLE DATA SHEETS FOR EACH SERVICE AREA ARE AVAILABLE THAT PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF KEY HEALTH, ECONOMIC, AND DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS. DOWNLOADABLE DATA SHEETS RELEVANT TO THE SERVICE AREAS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AT NGHS.COM/COMMUNITY-BENEFIT-RESOURCES.BOTH THE CHNA AND THE SUBSEQUENT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES WERE DESIGNED TO FULLY MEET INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE REGULATIONS, AS FOUND IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(R).

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE FOLLOWING HOSPITAL FACILITIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE CHNA: -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER GAINESVILLE -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER BRASELTON -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER BARROW -NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER LUMPKIN -HABERSHAM MEDICAL CENTER -STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATION PARTNERED AND COLLABORATED IN OUR REGIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT: -DISTRICT 2 PUBLIC HEALTH -GOOD NEWS CLINICS

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER DEFINED FOUR COMMUNITIES SERVED BY THEIR FOUR HOSPITAL FACILITIES: NGMC GREATER BRASELTON SERVICE AREA (GBSA), NGMC PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (PSA), NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA 400 (SSA 400), AND NGMC SECONDARY SERVICE AREA NORTH (SSA NORTH). BASED ON RESULTS OF THE 2022 CHNA, THE FOLLOWING THREE PRIORITIES WERE ADOPTED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND REPRESENT THOSE ON WHICH WE CAN HAVE THE MOST IMPACT BASED ON PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA: -BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH (ALL NGMC SERVICE AREAS) -ACCESS TO CARE (ALL NGMC SERVICE AREAS) -HEALTHY BEHAVIORS (ALL NGMC SERVICE AREAS)FOR DETAILS ON HOW NGMC IS ADDRESSING THE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN ITS MOST RECENTLY CONDUCTED CHNA, GO TO: WWW.NGHS.COM/COMMUNITY-BENEFIT-RESOURCES, GO TO INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES, AND CLICK ON 2023-2025 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.THE HEALTH NEEDS THE SYSTEM CHOSE NOT TO ADDRESS THROUGH THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING, BROKEN DOWN BY SERVICE AREA: -NGMC PSA: FOOD ACCESS AND NUTRITION, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, SOCIAL ISOLATION. -NGMC GBSA: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, INJURY AND DEATH, VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE, INCOME, EDUCATION, ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE, CANCER, TRANSPORTATION. -NGMC SSA NORTH: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, INCOME, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE, EDUCATION, ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE, EMPLOYMENT, CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE, SOCIAL ISOLATION, CANCER, COPD AND RESPIRATORY DISEASE, INJURY, AND DEATH. -NGMC SSA 400: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, SMOKING, VIOLENCE/CHILD ABUSE, INCOME, ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE, SOCIAL ISOLATION, CANCER, TRANSPORTATION.EVEN SO, NGMC DOES ACTIVELY WORK ON THESE ISSUES. FOR INSTANCE, ACCESS TO CARE IS A PRIORITY ACROSS THE REGION AND WHILE TRANSPORTATION WAS NOT SINGLED OUT AS A PRIORITY, WE CONSIDER TRANSPORTATION TO BE A KEY COMPONENT TO ACCESSING CARE. WHILE TRANSPORTATION ON ITS OWN DID NOT MAKE THE HEALTH PRIORITY LIST, IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE CONSIDERED IN ACCESS TO CARE ISSUES. WHILE CANCER WAS NOT CHOSEN AS A COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY, NGMC ALREADY HAS AN INTERNAL EMPHASIS ON THIS HEALTH ISSUE AND WILL REPORT ITS ACTIVITY VIA THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT.

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J: PATIENTS MAY SUBMIT A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION VIA OUR ONLINE PATIENT PORTAL OR APP VERSION OF MYCHART.

PART I, LINE 3C:
PATIENTS WHO ARE DETERMINED TO BE INDIGENT, DETERMINED BY CRITERIA-BASED METHODS, SUCH AS PROPENSITY TO PAY OR HEALTH SCORES, PARTICIPATION IN LOW INCOME GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, ETC. MAY BE PRESUMPTIVELY ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE, PROVIDING THEY COOPERATE WITH SCREENING FOR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES (E.G. MEDICAID OR DISABILITY), AS APPLICABLE.

PART I, LINE 6A:
THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS PUBLISHED BY NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM AND INCLUDES PROGRAMS FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS AFFILIATES, INCLUDING NGMC BARROW AND NGMC LUMPKIN. THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE (WWW.NGHS.COM) AND IS ALSO PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN ITS MAGAZINE, COMMUNICARE.

PART I, LINE 7:
CHARITY CARE COST WAS CALCULATED APPLYING SEPARATE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIOS (CCR) TO THE SKILLED NURSING FACILITY (SNF) AND TO THE REMAINING PATIENT CHARGES FROM ALL OTHER HOSPITAL-BASED ACTIVITIES. THE CCR FOR THE SNF WAS COMPUTED USING THE TOTAL SNF OPERATING EXPENSES DIVIDED BY THE TOTAL SNF GROSS CHARGES. THE CCR FOR THE REMAINING PATIENT CHARGES WAS COMPUTED PURSUANT TO WORKSHEET 2 IN THE SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS.THE CCR FOR THE UNREIMBURSED MEDICAID SERVICES WAS COMPUTED USING A CCR COMPUTED PURSUANT TO WORKSHEET 2 IN THE SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS. OTHER MEANS TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAM COST WAS DERIVED FROM INTERNAL TRENDSTAR SYSTEM DATA WHICH COMPUTED COST AT THE PATIENT DETAIL LEVEL.

PART I, LINE 7G:
SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES WERE FOR INPATIENT MEDICINE, NICU AND LAURELWOOD (MENTAL HEALTH). NO COSTS WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PHYSICIANS.

PART I, LN 7 COL(F):
THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24, COLUMN A, BUT SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $93,217,242. THE ESTIMATED PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS IS REPORTED AS A DEDUCTION FROM PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE.

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
"IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT MANY FACTORS COMBINE TO AFFECT THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. WHETHER PEOPLE ARE HEALTHY OR NOT IS DETERMINED BY THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT, ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. TO A LARGE EXTENT, FACTORS SUCH AS WHERE WE LIVE, THE STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, GENETICS, OUR INCOME AND EDUCATION LEVEL, AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALL HAVE CONSIDERABLE IMPACTS ON HEALTH. THE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH INCLUDE THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND A PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIORS. ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT RELATE INCLUDE EDUCATION, CULTURE, INCOME AND SOCIAL STATUS, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKING CONDITIONS, SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS, GENETICS, HEALTH SERVICES, AND GENDER. IF COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE ADEQUATE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, INCOME, A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, AND SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL NETWORKS, THEY WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO MAKE HEALTHIER BEHAVIOR CHOICES AND BE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES. THEREFORE, NGMC AS AN ORGANIZATION MUST CONSIDER THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH STATUS AS PART OF PREVENTATIVE CARE. A FEW OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN PART II INCLUDE:COMMUNITY SUPPORT: THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, NGMC REMAINED AT THE FOREFRONT OF COVID-19 INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION. DAILY STATISTICS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE HOSPITAL'S OWN WEBSITE, KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ON CONFIRMED POSITIVE PATIENTS IN OUR CARE, PERCENTAGE OF POSITIVE PATIENTS NOT FULLY VACCINATED, AND AVERAGE AGE OF POSITIVE PATIENTS. THIS INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE AT NGHS.COM/COVID-DATA AND UPDATED AT REGULAR INTERVALS ADDITIONALLY, NGMC REGULARLY PUBLISHED TIPS ON WAYS TO AVOID COVID-19 AND INFORMATION ON VACCINE DISTRIBUTION. IN FY22, NGMC GAINESVILLE WAS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP 24 HOSPITALS FOR PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL COVID-19 CARE DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC BY HEALTHGRADES, A THIRD-PARTY ONLINE RESOURCE FOR COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS. THE LIST WAS CHOSEN BY ANALYZING CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) DATA FROM JANUARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF 2020.COALITION BUILDING: SAFE KIDS NORTHEAST GEORGIA, LED BY NGMC, IS PART OF SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE, THE FIRST AND ONLY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED SOLELY TO PREVENTING UNINTENTIONAL CHILDHOOD INJURY, THE NATION'S NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN AGES 19 AND UNDER. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS CAR SEATS, BIKE HELMETS, AND LIFE JACKETS TO AREA CHILDREN IN NEED. WORKING WITH A COALITION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, AREA SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND OTHERS, SAFE KIDS PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PROGRAMS THAT TEACH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS HOW TO AVOID ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. NGMC PROVIDED EVENTS THAT REACHED AN ESTIMATED 2,700 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, TEACHERS, AND CAREGIVERS. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, SAFETY ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES NEEDING THEM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THIS SUPPORT IS $21,068 IN FY22.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: NGMC CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A ""PIPELINE"" TO HELP GET MORE QUALIFIED PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HEALTHCARE POSITIONS AND HELP PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO STUDENTS. TRAINING AND EDUCATION ARE PROVIDED THROUGH VARIOUS AVENUES, FROM JOB SHADOWING TO THE NURSE EXTERN PROGRAM AND PHARMACY RESIDENCY PROGRAM, AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT TO FOOTHILLS AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTERS (AHEC). IN THE HALL COUNTY HONORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORK IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ONE CLASS PERIOD IN THEIR DAY AND ROTATE THROUGH MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS. IN FY22, 17 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED REPRESENTING AREA HIGH SCHOOLS."

PART III, LINE 2:
PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE REDUCED BY AN ESTIMATED ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS. IN EVALUATING THE COLLECTABILITY OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER ANALYZES ITS PAST HISTORY AND IDENTIFIES TRENDS FOR EACH OF ITS MAJOR PAYER SOURCES OF REVENUE TO ESTIMATE THE APPROPRIATE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS AND PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS. MANAGEMENT REGULARLY REVIEWS DATA ABOUT THESE MAJOR PAYER SOURCES OF REVENUE IN EVALUATING THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE ESTIMATED ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS.

PART III, LINE 4:
BAD DEBT EXPENSE REPORTED ON LINE 2 REPRESENTS GROSS CHARGES WRITTEN OFF DURING THE FISCAL YEAR NET OF ANY RECOVERIES. BAD DEBTS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE FOOTNOTES AS A COMPONENT OF NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE, BUT DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN FOOTNOTE.

PART III, LINE 8:
THE MEDICARE COSTS SHOWN ON LINE 6 WERE COMPUTED USING THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO REFLECTED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MEDICARE COST REPORT.

PART III, LINE 9B:
EACH BILLING CYCLE FOR THE FIRST 120 DAYS STATEMENTS CONTAIN CONTACT INFORMATION. A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY IS PROVIDED AT DAY 90. FOR DAYS 121-180 TWO BAD DEBT COLLECTION LETTERS ARE SENT WITH CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION. DURING THE 180 DAYS PRIOR TO PLACEMENT WITH AN EXTERNAL COLLECTION AGENCY, REGULAR CALLS ARE MADE THAT INCLUDE NOTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AND HOW TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.DURING THE FIRST 60 DAYS OF PLACEMENT WITH EXTERNAL COLLECTION VENDORS NO REPORTING TO CREDIT BUREAUS MAY TAKE PLACE AND VENDOR PROVIDES ALL PATIENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST FINANICAL ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATION INCLUDING RETURNING THE ACCOUNT TO US.

PART VI, LINE 2:
ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS, NGMC SEEKS A VARIETY OF DATA SOURCES AND RELIABLE INDICATORS TO HELP IDENTIFY AND WORK TO IMPROVE ON HEALTH INEQUITIES IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. A LISTING OF THE RESOURCES IS LISTED BELOW: -AS PART OF THE HALL COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION, WE REVIEW INFORMATION FROM KIDS COUNT, WHICH PROVIDES KEY INDICATORS OF CHILD WELL-BEING. -NGMC IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHICH THROUGH VISION 3030, FOCUSES ON THE CREATION OF A CULTURE OF COMMUNITY WELLNESS, THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING, THE BUILDING OF AN ECONOMY AROUND EMERGING LIFE SCIENCES, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF INNOVATIVE GROWTH/INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL INTEGRATION. -NGMC HAS PARTNERED WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO FORM THE HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE CONSORTIUM. THIS GROUP HAS WORKED WITH A LOCAL UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP AN ONGOING DATABASE OF FIVE DATA ELEMENTS THAT WILL GIVE THE COMMUNITY UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING ITS RESIDENTS. THE FIVE DATA ELEMENTS COLLECTED ARE: BMI (HEIGHT/WEIGHT), A1C, BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL, LDL, AND MICROALBUMIN. THIS GIVES US INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING HEALTH ISSUES: OBESITY, DIABETES, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, AND HYPERTENSION. THE GROUP HAS COLLECTED DATA ON BOTH ADULTS, AS WELL AS PEDIATRIC PATIENTS. -WE REGULARLY MONITOR THE COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS PUBLISHED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION (WWW.COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG/ABOUT-PROJECT), AS WELL AS CDC WONDER AND OTHER PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. -NGMC ANNUALLY REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF CHNA OUTCOMES AND ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDES QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON IDENTIFIED HEALTH NEEDS. NGMC CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN LIFE-SAVING HEART AND VASCULAR CARE BY BECOMING THE FIRST HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE STATE WITH HOSPITALS DESIGNATED AS EMERGENCY CARDIAC CARE CENTERS BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (DPH), WHICH THE SYSTEM MAINTAINED IN FY22. THIS ACHIEVEMENT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE WALLS OF OUR SYSTEM-CONNECTING FIRST RESPONDERS, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND CARDIOLOGISTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO ENSURE EACH PATIENT RECEIVES THE LEVEL OF CARE THEY NEED.THE GEORGIA DPH USES A THREE-LEVEL DESIGNATION SYSTEM TO RANK THE CAPABILITIES OF EACH FACILITY: -NGMC GAINESVILLE RECEIVED LEVEL 1 DESIGNATION (HOSPITALS PERFORM OPEN HEART SURGERY AND INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC CATHETERIZATIONS). -NGMC BRASELTON RECEIVED LEVEL 2 DESIGNATION (HOSPITALS PERFORM INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC CATHETERIZATIONS). -NGMC BARROW AND NGMC LUMPKIN BOTH RECEIVED LEVEL 3 DESIGNATION (HOSPITALS STABILIZE PATIENTS UNTIL THEY ARE TRANSPORTED TO A LEVEL 1 OR LEVEL 2 CENTER).

PART VI, LINE 3:
EDUCATION BEGINS WITH OUR PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY PROVIDED AT REGISTRATION. SIGNS ARE PROMINENTLY POSTED AT CHECK IN, REGISTRATION & WAITING AREAS AND BUSINESS CARDS & FLIERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. REGISTRARS PROVIDE COPIES OF OUR APPLICATION UPON REQUEST. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVES PROVIDE BEDSIDE SCREENING IN THE EMERGENCY AND TO UNINSURED BEDDED PATIENTS DURING STAFFED HOURS OR VIA FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS IF A BEDDED PATIENT IS DICHARGED PRIOR TO SCREENING. OUR NGHS WEBSITE INCLUDES OUR PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY, POLICY AND APPLICATIONS IN ENGLISH & SPANISH. OUR PATIENT PORTAL, MYCHART, INCLUDES A SELF-SERVICE ONLINE APPLICATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ASSISTANCE. OUR PATIENT BILLING CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM IS TRAINED TO PROVIDE DETAILED SUPPORT TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE A HIGH BALANCE OR EXPRESS DIFFICULTY IN AFFORDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. ALL PATIENTS SCREENED BY A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE OR WHO SUBMIT AN FA APPLICATION MAY RECEIVE COUNSELING RE: GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY MAY QUALIFY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICAID & DISABILITY.

PART VI, LINE 4:
"POPULATION: FROM 2010 TO 2021, THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S TOTAL SERVICE AREA (""TSA"") POPULATION GREW AN ESTIMATED 1.8% PER YEAR ON AVERAGE COMPARED TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA AT 1.0% AND THE US AT 0.6%. POPULATION FOR THE TSA IN 2021 IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1,102,741 REPRESENTING A TOTAL GROWTH RATE OF 21.6% SINCE 2010, COMPARED TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA'S GROWTH (11.1%) AND THE US (7.3%) OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD. THE TSA'S POPULATION GROWTH RATE IS PROJECTED TO OUTPACE GEORGIA AND THE US THROUGH AT LEAST 2023, THUS CONTINUING TO DRIVE ABOVE AVERAGE DEMAND FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES. SOURCES: US CENSUS BUREAU; ESRI, INC.HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND HOME VALUES: MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR THE TSA IS CURRENTLY $64,179 COMPARED TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA AT $65,060. THE MEDIAN HOME VALUE FOR THE TSA IS CURRENTLY $215,800 COMPARED TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA AT $206,700. SOURCE: US CENSUS BUREAUEMPLOYMENT: THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE NGHS TOTAL SERVICE AREA WAS 2.7% IN 2021 COMPARED WITH THE STATE OF GEORGIA AT 3.9% AND THE U.S. AT 5.3%. FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 11 YEARS, THE TSA HAS CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCED AN ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BELOW THOSE OF GEORGIA AND THE U.S. SOURCE: US BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS; ESRI, INC."

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
GA

PART VI, LINE 5:
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMPRISED OF 15 MEMBERS AND REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY SERVED BY THE ORGANIZATION. BOARD MEMBERS PROVIDE LEADERSHIP THAT SUPPORTS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. PRACTITIONERS AT NGMC ENTITIES UNDERGO EXTENSIVE ONBOARDING PRIOR TO BEING AFFILIATED WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEM, SECURING STANDARD OF CARE AND SAFETY TO OUR COMMUNITY. THE MEDICAL CENTER CONDUCTS PHYSICIAN MANPOWER STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS NEEDED BY SPECIALTY TO MEET COMMUNITY NEED. INFORMATION FROM THESE STUDIES IS USED TO HELP GUIDE DECISIONS FOR PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT. ALL REVENUES MORE THAN EXPENSES ARE REINVESTED INTO HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND NO PROFITS ACCRUE TO INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS. THE MEDICAL CENTER'S POLICY ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CHARITY CARE POLICY) HELPS ENSURE ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME PATIENTS, I.E., PATIENTS WITH A FAMILY INCOME OF UP TO AND INCLUDING/EQUAL TO 150 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES QUALIFY FOR A 100 PERCENT CHARITY ADJUSTMENT, WHICH MEANS THAT THEIR QUALIFYING SERVICES ARE FREE. ADDITIONALLY, PATIENTS WITH A FAMILY INCOME OF 151 TO 300 PERCENT QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTED CARE ON A SLIDING SCALE, WITH THE MOST THAT A PATIENT WOULD PAY IS THE MEDICARE RATE.

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"NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER (NGMC) IS AN AFFILIATE OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM. OTHER AFFILIATES ALONG WITH NGMC GAINESVILLE AND BRASELTON INCLUDE NGMC BARROW, NGMC LUMPKIN, NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP, THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION, NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH PARTNERS, RIVER PLACE MEDICAL OFFICE PLAZA I, AND GEORGIA HEART INSTITUTE, LLC. THE MISSION OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER AND ALL RELATED AFFILIATES IS TO ""IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IN ALL WE DO."" AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL, NGMC TREATS PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY AND IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF HALL COUNTY AND THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE FOR THE PROVISION OF CHARITABLE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES ACUTE AND SPECIALTY INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES FOR A REGIONAL COMMUNITY OF OVER 18 COUNTIES AND RECEIVES NO LOCAL TAX SUPPORT FROM ANY OF THOSE COUNTIES FOR OPERATIONS OR INDIGENT CARE. THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION HELPS SUPPORT THE MISSION OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM THROUGH FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE SERVICES OFFERED AT NGMC, AS WELL HEALTH-FOCUSED SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH PARTNERS WORKS TO BUILD COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HOSPITALS, PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYERS, AND THE EMPLOYEES THEY REPRESENT THROUGH INSURANCE PRODUCTS THAT HELP SUPPORT PATIENT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.RIVER PLACE MEDICAL OFFICE PLAZA 1 IS A MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING THAT IS HOME TO AN URGENT CARE CENTER, IMAGING CENTER, OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION CENTER, FULL-SERVICE LAB AND MANY PRIVATE PHYSICIAN PRACTICES REPRESENTING MORE THAN 20 MEDICAL SPECIALTIES, IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION SERVED BY NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM. NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP IS A MULTI-SPECIALTY GROUP WITH MORE THAN 400 PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND OTHER CLINICAL STAFF PROVIDING HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT 65 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA, WHICH FURTHER IMPROVES THE COMMUNITY'S ACCESS TO CARE FOR THE REGION OF 19 COUNTIES.NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM VOLUNTEERS AND AUXILIANS ARE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WHO GIVE OF THEMSELVES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THE MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY IS COMMITTED TO INVOLVING DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM. VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE TIME AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE ASSISTING WITH NON-MEDICAL DUTIES AS THEY PROVIDE COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO PATIENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND VISITORS.THE AFFILIATION BETWEEN NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER'S HEART AND VASCULAR SERVICES AND GEORGIA HEART INSTITUTE OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER ENSURES PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE LATEST CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY AND RECEIVE TOP QUALITY CARE FROM TOP PHYSICIANS. THIS GROUP HAS SEVERAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF GEORGIA AND PROVIDES ALL CARDIOVASCULAR SUBSPECIALTY CARE, INCLUDING GENERAL, INVASIVE, AND INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, AND WOMEN'S CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH PROGRAMS."