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Union County Hospital Authority

Union General Hospital
130 Hospital Circle Suite B
Blairsville, GA 30512
Bed count45Medicare provider number110051Member of the Council of Teaching HospitalsNOChildren's hospitalNO
EIN: 586025393
Display data for year:
Community Benefit Spending- 2021
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
0.66%
Spending by Community Benefit Category- 2021
(as % of total functional expenses)
* = CBI denoted preventative categories
Community Benefit Spending Compared to Functional Expenses, 2010-2021
Additional data

Community Benefit Expenditures: 2021

  • All tax-exempt organizations file a Form 990 with the IRS for every tax year. If the tax-exempt organization operates one or more hospital facilities during the tax year, the organization must attach a Schedule H to Form 990. On Part I of Schedule H, the organization records the expenditures it made during the tax year for various types of community benefits; 9 types are shown on this web tool. By default, this web tool presents community benefit expenditures as a percentage of the organization’s functional expenses, which it reports on Form 990, Part IX, Line 25, Column A. (The more commonly heard term, ‘total operating expenses’, which organizations report to CMS, is generally about 90% of the ‘functional expenses’). The user may change the default to see the dollar expenditures.

    • Operating expenses$ 100,835,846
      Total amount spent on community benefits
      as % of operating expenses
      $ 662,468
      0.66 %
  • Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
      • Financial Assistance at cost
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 652,791
        0.65 %
        Medicaid
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Costs of other means-tested government programs
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Health professions education
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Subsidized health services
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Research
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Community health improvement services and community benefit operations*
        as % of operating expenses
        Note: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.
        $ 9,677
        0.01 %
        Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
        Community building*
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 0
        0 %
    • * = CBI denoted preventative categories
    • Community building activities details:
        • Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities?Not available
          Number of activities or programs (optional)0
          Physical improvements and housing0
          Economic development0
          Community support0
          Environmental improvements0
          Leadership development and training for community members0
          Coalition building0
          Community health improvement advocacy0
          Workforce development0
          Other0
          Persons served (optional)0
          Physical improvements and housing0
          Economic development0
          Community support0
          Environmental improvements0
          Leadership development and training for community members0
          Coalition building0
          Community health improvement advocacy0
          Workforce development0
          Other0
          Community building expense
          as % of operating expenses
          $ 0
          0 %
          Physical improvements and housing
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Economic development
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Community support
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Environmental improvements
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Leadership development and training for community members
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Coalition building
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Community health improvement advocacy
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Workforce development
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Other
          as % of community building expenses
          $ 0
          Direct offsetting revenue$ 0
          Physical improvements and housing$ 0
          Economic development$ 0
          Community support$ 0
          Environmental improvements$ 0
          Leadership development and training for community members$ 0
          Coalition building$ 0
          Community health improvement advocacy$ 0
          Workforce development$ 0
          Other$ 0

    Other Useful Tax-exempt Hospital Information: 2021

    • In addition to community benefit and community building expenditures, the Schedule H worksheet includes sections on what percentage of bad debt can be attributable to patients eligible for financial assistance, and questions on the tax-exempt hospital's debt collection policy. When searching a specific tax-exempt hospital in this web tool, Section II provides information about bad debt and the financial assistance policy, and whether the state in which the tax-exempt hospital resides has expanded Medicaid coverage under the federal ACA.

      • Of the tax-exempt hospital’s overall operating expenses, amount reported as bad debt
        as % of operating expenses
        $ 6,047,536
        6.00 %
        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
        $ 1,052,271
        17.40 %
    • 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 agencyNot 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?NO
    • 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?YES
    • 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

    This section presents qualitative information submitted by the hospital, verbatim from the 990H record.
    • Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
      Description of the organization's program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are required to report the amount of grants and allocations to others, the total expenses, and revenue, if any, for each program service reported.
    • 4A (Expenses $ 82378572 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 108625728)
      "UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL (UGH) IS A 501(C)(3) HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION THAT TAKES A PROACTIVE APPROACH DESIGNED TO MEET COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS AND MEET ITS TAX-EXEMPT REQUIREMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE AND PROMOTING WELLNESS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS MISSION STATEMENT AND POLICIES SUPPORTING SAME. THE VISION IS TO BE THE ""FIRST CHOICE"" PROVIDER OF COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE AREA. WE VALUE OUR PATIENTS AND BELIEVE THEY ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY. WE SHALL ALWAYS SEEK TO MEET THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE VALUE OUR MEDICAL STAFF AND WILL SEEK WAYS TO HELP THEM IMPROVE PROFESSIONALLY AND FACILITATE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. WE VALUE OUR EMPLOYEES AND SHALL TREAT EACH OTHER WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS, RESPECT, AND INTEGRITY. WE SHALL WORK AS A TEAM TO DO OUR BEST TO PROMOTE OUR MISSION AND FULFILL OUR VISION. WE VALUE OUR COMMUNITY AND ARE COMMITTED TO THE TREATMENT AND CARE OF OUR PATIENTS AND PROMOTION OF WELLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL CONFRONT ALL ETHICAL AND MORAL HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES NECESSARY TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY. UGH IS THE ONLY ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL IN UNION COUNTY, GEORGIA. UGH IS LICENSED FOR 45 ACUTE AND INTENSIVE CARE MEDICAL/SURGICAL BEDS FOR SHORT- TERM INPATIENT CARE. THE BEDS ALSO QUALIFY FOR ""SWING BED"" STATUS FOR SHORT-TERM SKILLED NURSING CARE. OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDE RADIOLOGY, LABORATORY AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, SURGICAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICES, AND 24/7 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. UGH (ALONG WITH UNION GENERAL AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC., A CONTROLLED TAX-EXEMPT ENTITY) ALSO OPERATES THE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE, ONE OF THE VERY FEW HOSPITALS DOING SO IN GEORGIA. THIS INCLUDES THE WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR ITS EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS, MEDICAL AND OTHER SUPPLIES, ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE FOR EMERGENCY TRANSPORT VEHICLES, AND FACILITIES FOR BASE OPERATIONS. DUE TO THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA, THE TWISTING MOUNTAIN ROADS ATTRACT BICYCLISTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS THROUGHOUT THE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL SEASONS. THESE ACTIVITIES SOMETIMES RESULT IN MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, SOME VERY SERIOUS, TO WHICH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OF UGH MUST RESPOND. UGH PROVIDES NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORT UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION TO ROUTINE SCHEDULED DOCTOR AND OTHER MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. UGH PROVIDES ITS HELIPAD TO SUPPORT AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES. THE UNION COUNTY NURSING HOME (UCNH) IS THE ONLY NURSING FACILITY IN THE COUNTY PROVIDING SKILLED AND INTERMEDIATE LEVELS OF LONG-TERM CARE. UCNH IS LICENSED FOR 150 BEDS AND CONSISTENTLY HAS A WAITING LIST FOR ADMISSIONS. A MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF UCNH ARE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES. THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES WELLNESS IN THE COMMUNITY BY SPONSORING HEALTH FAIRS, DIABETES AWARENESS CLINICS, AN AFFORDABLE FITNESS CENTER, AND EDUCATIONAL AND TESTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FOR HOUSING FOR PATIENT'S FAMILIES WHEN PATIENTS ARE HOSPITALIZED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THROUGH ITS GLENDA GOOCH HOUSE."
      Facility Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
      FACILITY 1, UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL - PART V, LINE 3E
      THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRIORITIZED THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS: 1) OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY 2) CHILD NUTRITION 3) CANCER 4) DIABETES/METABOLIC DISEASE 5) MENTAL HEALTH
      FACILITY 1, UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL - PART V, LINE 5
      THE HOSPITAL COLLABORATED WITH GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY TO ENLIST COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) TO ASSIST WITH DESIGN AND DISTRIBUTION OF A HEALTH NEEDS SURVEY. TWO COMMUNITY MEETINGS WERE SCHEDULED AND HELD REMOTELY USING ZOOM TECHNOLOGY WITH THE CAC DUE TO COVID-19. APPROXIMATELY 250 SURVEYS WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND 4 KEY STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED.
      FACILITY 1, UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL - PART V, LINE 11
      THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED IN 2018 IDENTIFIED THESE SPECIFIC NEEDS THAT ARE ADDRESSED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY REPORT: 1) OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY 2) CHILD NUTRITION 3) CANCER 4) DIABETES 5) MENTAL HEALTH THE HOSPITAL ADDRESSES THE IDENTIFIED NEEDS IN SOME MANNER FROM COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PROVIDERS TO CLINICAL OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY EDUCATION. THE CURRENT CHNA AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES, AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUS CHNA (WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN 2018) ARE AVAILABLE ON THE HOSPITAL'S WEBSITE AT: HTTP://WWW.UNIONGENERALHEALTHSYSTEM.COM/COMMUNITY-HEALTH/.
      FACILITY 1, UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL - PART V, LINE 16J
      A NOTICE IS RUN ANNUALLY IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FREE AND DISCOUNTED CARE FOR PATIENTS THAT QUALIFY UNDER THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. COMPLETE URL FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND ACTION PLANS (IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY REPORTS) - HTTP://WWW.UNIONGENERALHEALTHSYSTEM.COM/COMMUNITY-HEALTH/ COMPLETE URL - FAP, FAP SUMMARY AND APPLICATION - HTTP://WWW.UNIONGENERALHEALTHSYSTEM.COM/PATIENTS/BUSINESS-DEPARTMENT
      Supplemental Information
      Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
      SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7
      "THE DATA REPORTED IN THIS AREA IS REPORTED AS INSTRUCTED BY CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S ""A GUIDE FOR PLANNING AND REPORTING COMMUNITY BENEFITS, 2008"". THE COSTS FOR PART I, LINES 7A AND 7B WERE CALCULATED USING THE RATIO OF COSTS TO CHARGES USING WORKSHEET 2 IN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO FORM 990 SCHEDULE H."
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 2
      AMOUNTS INCLUDED ON PART III LINE 2 REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF CHARGES CONSIDERED UNCOLLECTIBLE. PURSUANT TO ASU NO. 2014-09 (TOPIC 606) DISCUSSED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW, THE AMOUNT IDENTIFIED AS BAD DEBT ON SCHEDULE H, PART II, LINE 2 PRIMARILY REPRESENTS AMOUNTS ESTIMATED AT THE TRANSACTION DATE THAT ARE CONSIDERED A PRICE CONCESSION.
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 3
      BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS FOUND THAT THERE IS A PORTION OF BAD DEBT THAT IS GENERALLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARITY CARE. BASED ON ECONOMIC CENSUS RECORDS, 17.4% OF PERSONS ARE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL, WE ESTIMATE THAT 17.4% IF THE BAD DEBT AMOUNT ON LINE 2 WOULD BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THOSE PATIENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY HAD THEY COMPLETED AN APPLICATION.
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 4
      IN MAY 2014, THE FASB ISSUED ASU NO. 2014-09, REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (TOPIC 606), WHICH IS A NEW COMPREHENSIVE REVENUE RECOGNITION STANDARD. THE CORE PRINCIPLE OF THE REVENUE MODEL IS THAT AN ENTITY RECOGNIZES REVENUE TO DEPICT THE TRANSFER OF PROMISED GOODS OR SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS IN AN AMOUNT THAT REFLECTS THE CONSIDERATION TO WHICH THE ENTITY EXPECTS TO BE ENTITLED IN EXCHANGE FOR THOSE GOODS OR SERVICES. THE CORPORATION ADOPTED ASU NO. 2014-09 ON MAY 1, 2020 USING THE FULL RETROSPECTIVE METHOD OF TRANSITION WITH PRACTICAL EXPEDIENTS IN FASB ASC 606-10-65-1(F) WITH NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. THE CORPORATION PERFORMED AN ANALYSIS OF REVENUE STREAMS AND TRANSACTIONS UNDER ASU NO. 2014-09. IN PARTICULAR, FOR NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE, THE CORPORATION PERFORMED AN ANALYSIS INTO THE APPLICATION OF THE PORTFOLIO APPROACH AS A PRACTICAL EXPEDIENT TO GROUP PATIENT CONTRACTS WITH SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS, SUCH THAT REVENUE FOR A GIVEN PORTFOLIO WOULD NOT BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT THAN IF IT WERE EVALUATED ON A CONTRACT-BY-CONTRACT BASIS. UPON ADOPTION, THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED AS PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS (REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 4 MILLION FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2020) AND PRESENTED AS A REDUCTION TO NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE ON THE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS IS NOW TREATED AS A PRICE CONCESSION THAT REDUCES THE TRANSACTION PRICE, WHICH IS REPORTED AS NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE. CHANGES IN CREDIT ISSUES NOT ASSESSED AT THE DATE OF SERVICE, ARE RECOGNIZED AS BAD DEBT EXPENSE AND INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OPERATING EXPENSES ON THE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS. THE NEW STANDARD ALSO REQUIRES ENHANCED DISCLOSURES RELATED TO THE DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE AND SIGNIFICANT JUDGMENTS MADE IN MEASUREMENT AND RECOGNITION. THE ADOPTION OF THIS GUIDANCE DID NOT MATERIALLY IMPACT TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES, EXCESS REVENUES (EXPENSES), OR NET ASSETS. SEE FOOTNOTE 3 IN THE ATTACHED AUDITED STATEMENTS FOR A DISCUSSION OF CHARITY CARE AND UNINSURED DISCOUNTS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 8
      MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS ARE COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH COST REPORTING METHODOLOGIES UTILIZED ON THE MEDICARE COST REPORT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELATED REGULATIONS. INDIRECT COSTS ARE ALLOCATED TO DIRECT SERVICE AREAS USING THE MOST APPROPRIATE STATISTICAL BASIS.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 2
      THE ORGANIZATION PERIODICALLY SOLICITS FEEDBACK FROM THE MEDICAL STAFF AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS. THE LOCAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE SURVEYS THE COMMUNITY AND THIS INFORMATION IS PASSED TO THE HOSPITAL THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF NURSING. IN ADDITION, THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 3
      THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES A NOTICE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION, AN AGENT INFORMS THE ACCOUNT GUARANTOR OF THE AVAILABILITY OF INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE. ACCOUNT COLLECTORS ALSO INFORM THE GUARANTOR OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE POLICIES. THE FAP, THE PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY AND THE APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE POLICY IS OFFERED TO ALL PATIENTS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE. SIGNAGE IN KEY AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL NOTIFY PATIENTS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 4
      "UNION GENERAL HOSPITAL (""UGH"") SERVES A GENERALLY RURAL MOUNTAINOUS AREA AND IS THE SOLE HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTY. UNION COUNTY IS DEEMED A MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA (MUA) BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH. UGH IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS SISTER HOSPITAL, CHATUGE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, ARE THE ONLY TAX-EXEMPT, NON-PROFIT HOSPITALS WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE EIGHT-COUNTY AREA OF THE NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA MOUNTAINS. DUE TO THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND BEING BOUNDED BY THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, UNION COUNTY HAS SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE COMMUNITIES FOUND IN GEORGIA. ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE CAN BE MORE THAN AN HOUR AWAY IN SOME CASES."
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 7
      GEORGIA
      SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 9B
      ONCE A PATIENT IS APPROVED FOR INDIGENT CARE (100% WRITE OFF) THE ACCOUNT(S) IS (ARE) RECLASSIFIED TO INDIGENT CARE AND NO FURTHER COLLECTION ACTIVITY IS CONDUCTED. FOR PATIENTS APPROVED FOR CHARITY CARE (REDUCED CHARGE), THE ACCOUNT GUARANTOR WILL RECEIVE STATEMENTS AND PHONE CALLS TO COLLECT ANY REMAINING BALANCE DUE. PATIENTS WILL RECEIVE THREE (3) STATEMENTS, ONE (1) NOTICE LETTER AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS REQUESTING PAYMENT IN FULL OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS BE MADE. STATEMENTS 1. INITIAL A. PATIENTS WILL NORMALLY RECEIVE A STATEMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS OF DISCHARGE AS AN INPATIENT OR TREATMENT AS AN OUTPATIENT (EXCLUDING RECURRING VISITS). B. RECURRING VISIT PATIENTS WILL NORMALLY RECEIVE A BILL FOR SERVICES RENDERED FOR THE PRIOR MONTH WITHIN ONE MONTH. 2. SUBSEQUENT STATEMENTS A. THE SECOND STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL STATEMENT. B. THE THIRD STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL STATEMENT. C. THE NOTICE LETTER WILL BE ISSUED NINETY (90) DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL STATEMENT REQUESTING PAYMENT IN FULL UPON RECEIPT. THIS LETTER WILL NOTIFY THE PATIENT THEIR ACCOUNT WILL BE REFLECTED AS A BAD DEBT AND REFERRED TO AN OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCY IF PAYMENT IN FULL IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS OF THE STATEMENT DATE. THE NOTIFICATION WILL SPECIFY ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS THAT MAY BE UNDERTAKEN IF THE PATIENT DOES NOT MAKE FULL PAYMENT OR COMPLETE A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. D. ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL STATEMENT THESE ACCOUNTS WILL BE WRITTEN OFF AS A BAD DEBT ADJUSTMENT AND SENT TO AN OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCY. 3. ALL STATEMENTS WILL INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT INFORMS THE RECIPIENT ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND INCLUDES A TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THE WEBSITE ADDRESS TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PHONE CALLS THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL STATEMENT, THE PATIENT MAY BEGIN TO RECEIVE MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS REQUESTING PAYMENT IN FULL OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS BE MADE. THE PATIENT WILL BE INFORMED THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE AVAILABLE AND OFFERED A COPY OF THE PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE FAP. USE OF OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCY WHEN A PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR FAIL TO PAY THE PATIENT LIABILITY, THE ACCOUNT WILL BE REFERRED TO AN OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCY. REASONABLE EFFORTS - THE BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE FACILITY HAS MADE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PATIENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTION (ECA). EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS (ECAS) - THE PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR SHALL BE PROVIDED AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS WRITTEN NOTICE PRIOR TO ANY ECAS BEING TAKEN. THE WRITTEN NOTICE WILL INCLUDE A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, NOTIFICATION OF ANY ECAS THAT MAYBE INITIATED AGAINST THE PATIENT AND /OR GUARANTOR, AND THE DATE AFTER WHICH ANY ECAS WILL BE INITIATED. ORAL NOTIFICATION TO THE PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR WILL BE ATTEMPTED VIA A PHONE CALL PRIOR TO ANY ECAS BEING INITIATED. THE ORAL NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM THE PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AND HOW TO OBTAIN HELP WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCESS. ECAS MAY NOT COMMENCE PRIOR DURING THE NOTIFICATION PERIOD. THE NOTIFICATION PERIOD ENDS ON THE 120TH DAY AFTER THE FACILITY ISSUES THE FIRST POST-DISCHARGE BILLING STATEMENT TO THE PATIENT. IF, BY THE END OF THIS 120-DAY PERIOD THE PATIENT HAS NOT SUBMITTED A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION, THE FACILITY MAY BEGIN COLLECTION ACTIONS AGAINST THE PATIENT. THE APPLICATION PERIOD DURING WHICH FACILITY WILL ACCEPT AND PROCESS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION ENDS ON THE 240TH DAY AFTER THE FACILITY ISSUES THE FIRST POST-DISCHARGE BILLING STATEMENT TO THE PATIENT. LEGAL ACTIONS LEGAL ACTIONS MAY BE INITIATED AGAINST THE PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR WHO DEFAULT ON PAYMENT TO THE FACILITY. THESE LEGAL ACTIONS MAY INCLUDE: - PLACING A LIEN ON AN INDIVIDUALS PROPERTY EXCEPT FOR ANY LIEN THE FACILITY IS ENTITLED TO ASSERT UNDER STATE LAW ON THE PROCEEDS OF A JUDGMENT, SETTLEMENT, ORE COMPROMISE OWED TO AN INDIVIDUAL AS A RESULT OF PERSONAL INJURIES FOR WHICH CARE WAS PROVIDED; - FORECLOSING ON AN INDIVIDUALS REAL PROPERTY; - ATTACHING OR SEIZING AN INDIVIDUALS BANK ACCOUNT OR ANY OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY; - COMMENCING A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL; AND - GARNISHING AN INDIVIDUALS WAGES. ALL LEGAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY ANY COLLECTION AGENCY ON BEHALF OF THE FACILITY SHALL HAVE HAD PRIOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL FROM THE FACILITY. THE FACILITY OR ANY COLLECTIONS AGENCY WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE FACILITY SHALL NOT PURSUE ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGMENT LIEN, WHETHER BY SHERIFFS LEVY AND SALE OR OTHERWISE, ON A PRIMARY RESIDENCE, PURSUE AN INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING AGAINST A PATIENT AND /OR GUARANTOR, OR TAKE ANY ACTION THAT WOULD CAUSE A BENCH WARRANT (AN ORDER ISSUED BY A JUDGE OR COURT FOR THE ARREST OF A PERSON) TO BE ISSUED. HOWEVER, THE FACILITY MAY PURSUE APPROPRIATE COURT ORDERS, INCLUDING CONTEMPT OF COURT, FOR A PATIENT/JUDGMENT DEBTOR FAILING TO RESPOND TO POST-JUDGMENT DISCOVERY AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
      SCHEDULE H, PART VI, LINE 5
      THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING HEALTH FAIRS THAT PROVIDE FREE OR REDUCED-COST HEALTH SCREENINGS AND LAB TESTS TO AREA BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH THE HOSPITAL; BY PROMOTING A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS AT ALL FACILITIES; BY DIABETIC EDUCATION CLASSES; BY DISTRIBUTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PUBLICATIONS AND NOTICES THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL AND OTHER FACILITIES; AND BY PROVIDING INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL HAS A STRONG OUTPATIENT REHAB FACILITY THAT ALLOWS PATIENTS TO RECEIVE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION IN THE COMMUNITY; THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A WELLNESS CENTER THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDES EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUCTION, PERSONAL TRAINERS, AN OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOL WITH WATER AEROBIC CLASSES, AND TWO TENNIS COURTS, ONE RACQUETBALL COURT, AND A COMMUNITY SWIM TEAM OPEN TO YOUTH BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL. SURPLUS FUNDS ARE USED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADDITION, IMPROVEMENT, OR REPLACEMENT OF CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. THE HOSPITAL PARTICIPATES IN THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS, OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICAL CARE TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND IT HAS AN OPEN MEDICAL STAFF.