PART I, LINE 3C:
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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.
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PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F):
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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.
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PART I, LINE 7:
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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.
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PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 2:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 4:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 8:
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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.
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PART III, LINE 9B:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 2:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 3:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 4:
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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.
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PART VI, LINE 5:
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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.
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SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS NOT PART OF AN AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
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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.
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