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Schedule H, Part I, Line 3c
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THE HOSPITAL NETWORK OFFERS A VARIETY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO HELP UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED PATIENTS. THE HMH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES DEEPLY DISCOUNTED HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE. FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AND INSURANCE STATUS ARE USED IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. HMH ALSO FACILITATES THE NJ HOSPITAL CARE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CHARITY CARE), WHICH IF APPROVED WOULD PROVIDE CARE AT NO COST OR A PERCENTAGE OF COST. FACTORS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY INCLUDE: -ASSET LEVEL; -MEDICAL INDIGENCY; -INCOME LEVEL; -INSURANCE STATUS (INCLUDING UNDERINSURED); AND -RESIDENCY.
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Schedule H, Part I, Line 6a
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BAYSHORE MEDICAL CENTER, JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, OCEAN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, SOUTHERN OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER, RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER, OLD BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER, HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, HACKENSACKUMC AT PASCACK VALLEY, HACKENSACKUMC MOUNTAINSIDE, ANTHONY M. YELENCSICS COMMUNITY HOSP. (JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER), JFK JOHNSON REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, HMH CARRIER CLINIC, SHORE REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, AND THE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP FORM 990 ARE PART OF AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT PREPARED BY HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, INC., WHICH IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. AT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE CARE WE PROVIDE THROUGH OUR HOSPITALS AND PARTNER COMPANIES REACHES FAR BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR FACILITIES. OUR MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE IS AT THE HEART OF OUR CHARITABLE ROOTS. COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES WILL PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN KEEPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND KEEPING HEALTH CARE COSTS DOWN. HACKENSACK MERIDIAN REMAINS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING ITS MISSION. HACKENSACK MERIDIAN'S 2019 COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT CAN BE REQUESTED AT ANY ONE OF OUR FACILITIES.
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Schedule H, Part I, Line 7
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THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE SUBTRACTED FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN IS $280,815,914; THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE FOR BAYSHORE MEDICAL CENTER, JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, OCEAN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, SOUTHERN OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER, RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER, OLD BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, HMH CARRIER CLINIC, AND PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER ("HOSPITALS"). HOSPITALS USE WORKSHEET 2, RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST TO CHARGES, IN THE IRS FORM 990 SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS TO CALCULATE THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO. IN 2015, THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CLARIFIED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULE H THAT GROUP RETURNS ARE REQUIRED TO USE TOTAL EXPENSES AS REPORTED IN CORE FORM, PART IX, LINE 25 AS THE DENOMINATOR WHEN CALCULATING THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PERCENTAGE IN SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7. THE ORGANIZATION FEELS THIS RESULTS IN AN UNDERSTATEMENT OF ITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT PERCENTAGE AS THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED IN THE GROUP RETURN DO NOT CONTRIBUTE ANY EXPENSES TO THE NUMERATOR. THEREFORE, THE ORGANIZATION WAS CONSISTENT WITH PRIOR YEARS IN USING THE TOTAL HOSPITALS' EXPENSES IN THE DENOMINATOR TO CALCULATE THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PERCENTAGE IN SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7. THIS ALLOWS FOR A BETTER COMPARISON TO THE PRIOR YEARS AS THIS METHODOLOGY HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN USED IN THE CALCULATION AS WELL AS A MORE ACCURATE REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROVIDED BY THE HOSPITALS. AS PART OF THE HOSPITALS' MISSION SUPPORT, THE ORGANIZATIONS SUBSIDIZE THE LOSS OF ITS NON-PROFIT PHYSICIAN PRACTICES SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7I INCLUDES THIS MISSION SUPPORT AS PART OF THE HOSPITALS' SUBSIDIZED SERVICES.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 2
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ACCOUNTS THAT REACH THE END OF THE SELF-PAY BILLING CYCLE WITHOUT PAYMENTS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPROVAL ARE TRANSFERRED TO BAD DEBT. UNINSURED PATIENT CHARGES ARE DISCOUNTED. BALANCES AFTER INSURANCE, SUCH AS DEDUCTIBLES, CO-PAYS AND COINSURANCE, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT THROUGH THE HMH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 3
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THROUGH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, SELF-PAY PATIENTS ARE INTERVIEWED. THE AMOUNT REFLECTED ON LINE 3 REPRESENTS THOSE THAT ARE NOT COMPLIANT WITH DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND THOSE WHO CANNOT BE CONTACTED. NON-ELIGIBLE PATIENTS, DUE TO BEING OVER INCOME, ARE NOT INCLUDED ON LINE 3. BAD DEBT SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED HEALTH CARE SERVICES INDISCRIMINATELY TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE OR THE ABILITY TO PAY. THE METHODOLOGY USED BY THE ORGANIZATION TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF ITS BAD DEBT EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY WAS TO APPLY ITS COST TO CHARGE RATIO TO TOTAL SELF-PAY GROSS CHARGES. BAD DEBT SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED HEALTH CARE SERVICES INDISCRIMINATELY TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE OR THE ABILITY TO PAY.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 4
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THE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP FORM 990 FOR WHICH THIS SCHEDULE H IS BEING FILED RECEIVED AN AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT. THE BAD DEBT FOOTNOTES TO THESE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, INC. CAN BE FOUND ON PAGES 20 & 23.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 8
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THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT ITS MEDICARE SHORTFALL ARE COMMUNITY BENEFITS BECAUSE, AS A HOSPITAL, IT IS STEPPING UP TO CARRY THE BURDEN OF THE GOVERNMENT, BY PROMOTING HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND PROVIDING MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR ABILITY TO PAY.
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Schedule H, Part III, Question 9B
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BAYSHORE MEDICAL CENTER, JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER, RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, SOUTHERN OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER, AND RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER, JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, JFK JOHNSON REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER, HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER ------------------------------------------------------------------- THE POLICY ON BILLING AND COLLECTION ACTIONS OF THE ABOVE FACILITIES CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS ON THE COLLECTION PRACTICES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE KNOWN TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: CURRENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS THAT REACH THE END OF THE SELF-PAY DUNNING CYCLE FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS (WHICH CONSISTS OF FOUR STATEMENTS AND ONE LETTER OVER A PERIOD OF 120 DAYS, WITHOUT PAYMENT OR EVIDENCE OF CHARITY CARE ELIGIBILITY) ARE TRANSFERRED TO BAD DEBT AS STIPULATED IN PATIENT ACCOUNTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE SAME HOLDS FOR NON-MEDICARE PATIENTS BUT THE DUNNING CYCLE IS 62 DAYS. THE SYSTEM ENTITIES DO NOT ENGAGE IN EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION ACTIONS AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL PRIOR TO REASONABLE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-ELIGIBLE. FOR THESE PURPOSES, REASONABLE EFFORTS INCLUDE THE POSTING OF SIGNAGE AND NOTICES REGARDING THE SYSTEM'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE PROVISION OF A PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY AS PART OF THE HOSPITALS INTAKE PROCESS, THE INCLUSION OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON ALL BILLING STATEMENTS, COMMUNICATING IN PERSON AND BY TELEPHONE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE AND, IN CASES WHERE AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED, INFORMING THE PATIENT, IN WRITING, REGARDING THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE PATIENT'S ELIGIBILITY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL A SYSTEM ENTITY (EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANOTHER PERSON ON ITS BEHALF) UNDERTAKE ANY ECA DURING THE 120-DAY PERIOD FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE FIRST POST-DISCHARGE BILLING STATEMENT ISSUED TO THE PATIENT. A SYSTEM ENTITY MAY SATISFY THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S AGGREGATED OUTSTANDING BILLS AS LONG AS 120 DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE FIRST POST DISCHARGE STATEMENT FOR THE MOST RECENT EPISODE OF CARE INCLUDED IN THE AGGREGATED BILLS. AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 120 DAY PERIOD, IF A SYSTEM ENTITY INTENDS TO UNDERTAKE AN ECA, THE THIRD PARTY WILL PROVIDE THE PATIENT WITH A FINAL WRITTEN NOTICE STATING THE SPECIFIC ECAS THAT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IF PAYMENT IS NOT MADE OR A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION IS NOT SUBMITTED BEFORE A STATED DEADLINE, WHICH MUST BE AT LEAST 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE. THE 30-DAY NOTICE INCLUDES A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE SYSTEM'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. IN KEEPING WITH THE FOREGOING STANDARDS, ONCE A PATIENT ACCOUNT HAS COMPLETED THE SELF-PAY DUNNING CYCLE, THE SYSTEM ENTITY WILL FORWARD THE ACCOUNT TO A PRIMARY BAD DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY, WHICH WILL WORK THE ACCOUNT FOR 180 DAYS. ACCOUNTS THAT REMAIN UNPAID AT THE END OF 180-DAYS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REASSIGNED TO A SECONDARY AGENCY FOR AN ADDITIONAL 180-DAYS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AGENCIES CAN PURSUE LEGAL ACTION ON ACCOUNTS THROUGH DESIGNATED LEGAL AFFILIATES. ACCOUNTS THAT REMAIN UNPAID MAY BE REFERRED TO ATTORNEYS. SUCH ATTORNEYS MAY PROVIDE THE 30-DAY NOTICE (DESCRIBED ABOVE) ON BEHALF OF THE SYSTEM ENTITY AND, AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE STATED DEADLINE, MAY INITIATE ECAS ON BEHALF OF THE SYSTEM ENTITY. ECAS WILL INCLUDE JUDGMENTS AND LIENS. AS PART OF THE COURT PROCESS, A PATIENT MAY HAVE THEIR OUTSTANDING BALANCE REPORTED TO A CREDIT AGENCY. THIS IS THROUGH THE COURT ITSELF AND DOES NOT HAPPEN BY ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY HMH FACILITIES OR THEIR AGENTS. ECAS ARE SUSPENDED DURING THIS TIME IF THE PATIENT SUBMITS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. THE HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO ACCEPT AND PROCESS ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVICE.IF THE PATIENT QUALIFIES FOR CHARITY CARE OR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT, ANY AMOUNTS PREVIOUSLY PAID BY THE PATIENT IN EXCESS OF THEIR DISCOUNTED CHARGES WILL BE REFUNDED AND ANY EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN WILL BE REVERSED. HMH CARRIER CLINIC --------------- SUMMARY OF BILLING AND COLLECTION PROCEDURES THE HOSPITAL WILL MAKE DILIGENT EFFORT TO DETERMINE THE PATIENT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, THE DAY OF ADMISSION OR WITHIN FEW DAYS OF ADMISSION. ESTIMATED AMOUNT DUE WILL BE BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE BENEFIT AND MAY INCLUDE DEDUCTIBLE, CO-PAY AND CO-INSURANCE. THE HOSPITAL WILL MAKE ITS BEST EFFORT TO ADVISE ALL PATIENTS AND/OR FAMILIES OF ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, COVERAGE LIMITATION, DISCUSS PAYMENT OPTIONS AND AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. PATIENT STATEMENTS WILL INCLUDE NOTICES AS REQUIRED TO INFORM PATIENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND MEANS TO ACCESS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE HOSPITAL WIDELY PUBLICIZES ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INCLUDING WHO TO CONTACT. GENERALLY, A PATIENT AND/OR GUARANTOR WILL HAVE A SELF-PAY RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE COVERAGE BUT IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT DEDUCTIBLE NOT MET AND PATIENT HAS CO-INSURANCE AND/OR DAILY COPAY, THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE, HOWEVER HMH CARRIER CLINIC IS OUT OF NETWORK AND PATIENT DOES NOT HAVE OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS, THE PATIENT HAS NO INSURANCE AND WHEN ASKED DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE BUT NO BENEFITS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE, AND HAS OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS WITH HIGH COINSURANCE, THE PATIENT HAS EXHAUSTED AVAILABLE BENEFITS, BENEFIT YEAR, CALENDAR YEAR, AND/OR LIFETIME MAXIMUM FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH MEDICARE PATIENTS WHO HAVE USED THEIR 190 LIFETIME PSYCHIATRIC BENEFIT OR LESS FREQUENTLY MAXED THEIR BENEFIT PERIOD. THE HOSPITAL WILL MAKE DILIGENT EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY PATIENTS WHO MAY BE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE. THE PSR (PATIENT SERVICES REP) WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO THESE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING GUIDANCE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER SOURCES OF COVERAGE SUCH AS FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. IF ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, PSR MAY EXTEND DISCOUNTS OR OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO PATIENT IF THEY QUALIFY UNDER THE HOSPITAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. THE PATIENT HAS A NUMBER OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING THE OBLIGATION TO SUBMIT ALL NECESSARY AND ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION. THE HOSPITAL WIDELY PUBLICIZES INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INCLUDING WHERE TO GO FOR ASSISTANCE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SERVICES WHICH ARE SEPARATELY BILLED BY OTHER OUTSIDE PROVIDERS, SUCH AS PHYSICIANS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY (FAP). CARRIER CLINIC UTILIZES ARCADIA RECOVERY FOR COLLECTION OF ALL PATIENT BALANCES AFTER INSURANCE PAYMENTS AND UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS. THE TOTAL BILLING CYCLE IS 120 DAYS BEFORE THE BALANCE IS SENT TO COLLECTION. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS (EXCEPT FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS) ACCOUNT MAY BE REFERRED TO BAD DEBT (BD) PRIOR TO 120TH DAY. THE HOSPITAL WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION BEFORE ACCOUNT IS REFERRED TO A COLLECTION AGENCY. STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS WITH DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS ENCOURAGING THEM TO COMPLY WITH PAYMENT PLANS IN ORDER TO PREVENT REFERRAL TO OUTSIDE COLLECTION AGENCY. ARCADIA WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND PAYMENT OPTIONS TO PATIENTS INFORMING THEM OF THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE DUE. THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS WILL BE REFERRED TO COLLECTION AGENCY WHEN ALL AVAILABLE EFFORTS WERE EXHAUSTED: DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS WITH NO PAYMENT ACTIVITY, ACCOUNTS WITH NO PAYMENT ACTIVITY AND INELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ACCOUNTS GRANTED % DISCOUNTS UNDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT NO LONGER COOPERATING TO PAY REMAINING BALANCE, ACCOUNTS WERE PATIENTS HAVE MADE NO ARRANGEMENTS TO RESOLVE THEIR OUTSTANDING BALANCE, ACCOUNTS WITH RETURNED MAIL AND NO OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION. ACCOUNTS THAT CANNOT BE COLLECTED AFTER A SERIES OF LETTERS AND CALLS WILL BE REFERRED TO A COLLECTION AGENCY FOR FURTHER COLLECTION ACTION (121ST DAY OR LATER, ALL MEDICARE PATIENTS AND 120 DAYS OR LESS FOR NON-MEDICARE PATIENTS). BAD DEBT REFERRAL PRIOR TO 120TH DAY IS ACCOUNTS CLASSIFIED AS SKIP WHEN RETURNED BY THE USPS AS NOT DELIVERABLE. MEDICARE ACCOUNTS ARE NOT REFERRED TO BAD DEBT REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION UNTIL 121ST DAY FROM THE FIRST STATEMENT DATE. HMH CARRIER CLINIC AND COLLECTION AGENCY EFFORTS DO NOT INCLUDE EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION MEASURES.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 2
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IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION REPORTED IN SCHEDULE H, PART V, SECTION B, QUESTIONS 1 THROUGH 12, THE ORGANIZATIONS ASSESS THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AS FOLLOWS: 1. ACCESS TO CARE/SERVICES IS ASSESSED REGULARLY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE NETWORK ADEQUACY RELATIVE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL MANPOWER AND SITES OF SERVICE; 2. UTILIZATION IS TRACKED BY HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH ("HMH") OPERATIONAL LEADERS RELATIVE TO CAPACITY AND ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE DEMAND. WHERE POTENTIAL CAPACITY AND THROUGHPUT CONCERNS ARE IDENTIFIED, FURTHER ASSESSMENTS ARE PERFORMED AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS ARE IDENTIFIED; AND 3. FOR KEY SERVICES, HMH HAS DEVELOPED CARE TRANSFORMATION SERVICE TEAMS TO ACCESS SERVICE-SPECIFIC NEEDS AND DEVELOP PLANS TO ADDRESS.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 3
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IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(R)(4) THE HOSPITALS INFORM AND EDUCATE PATIENTS AND PERSONS WHO MAY BE BILLED FOR PATIENT CARE ABOUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY WIDELY PUBLICIZING VARIOUS DOCUMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE WIDELY PUBLICIZED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: - THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY ("FAP"), APPLICATION AND PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY ("PLS") ARE ALL AVAILABLE ON-LINE; - PAPER COPIES OF THE FAP, APPLICATION AND PLS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY MAIL, WITHOUT CHARGE, AND ARE PROVIDED IN VARIOUS AREAS THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITALS INCLUDING MAIN REGISTRATION DESK, EMERGENCY ROOM, AND PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT; - ALL PATIENTS ARE OFFERED A COPY OF THE PLS AS PART OF THE PATIENT ACCESS/INTAKE PROCESS; - SIGNS OR DISPLAYS ARE POSTED IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS INCLUDING MAIN REGISTRATION DESK, EMERGENCY ROOM, AND PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFICES THAT NOTIFY AND INFORM PATIENTS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; AND - THE FAP, APPLICATIONS AND PLS ARE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND IN THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE OF POPULATIONS WITH LIMITED PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH ("LEP") THAT CONSTITUTE THE LESSER OF 1,000 INDIVIDUALS OR 5% OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED BY THE HOSPITALS' PRIMARY SERVICE AREAS. TRANSLATED VERSIONS FAP ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST IN PERSON AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE AND ON THE HOSPITAL WEBSITES.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 4
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THE 15 HOSPITALS INCLUDED IN THIS FORM 990, SCHEDULE H SERVE THE COMMUNITIES OF MONMOUTH, OCEAN, MIDDLESEX, HUDSON, BERGEN, AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BY COUNTY IS BASED ON RECENT CENSUS ESTIMATES: MONMOUTH COUNTY ------------------------- POPULATION, 2021: 645,354 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 4.9% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 20.8% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 18.7% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 6.2% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $ 103,523 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 74.9% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 7.3% ASIAN: 5.7% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 11.4% OTHER: 0.7% OCEAN COUNTY ----------------- POPULATION, 2021: 648,998 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 7.2% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 24.8% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 22.4% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 10.5% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $72,679 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 83.7% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 3.8% ASIAN: 2.0% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 9.8% OTHER: 0.7% MIDDLESEX COUNTY ---------------------- POPULATION, 2021: 860,807 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 5.4% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 21.6% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 15.9% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 7.4% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $91,731 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 39.9% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 12.5% ASIAN: 25.7% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 22.7% OTHER: 0.9% HUDSON COUNTY --------------------- POPULATION, 2021: 702,463 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 6.5% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 20.4% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 12.6% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 13.1% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $75,062 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 28.4% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 15.2% ASIAN: 16.8% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 42.5% OTHER: 1.5% BERGEN COUNTY -------------------- POPULATION, 2021: 953,819 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 5.0% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 21.0% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 17.8% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 6.4% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $104,623 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 53.6% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 7.6% ASIAN: 17.4% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 22.0% OTHER: 0.7% SOMERSET COUNTY -------------------- POPULATION, 2021: 345,647 UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 4.8% UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2021: 21.3% 65 YEARS OLD AND OVER, 2021: 16.7% PERSONS IN POVERTY, 2016-2020: 4.8% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, 2016-2020: $116,510 RACIAL COMPOSITION, 2021: WHITE: 52.8% AFRICAN AMERICAN: 10.8% ASIAN: 20.1% HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN: 15.8% OTHER: 0.5%
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 5
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Project "SPEAR-IT" We are proud to partner with United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC) to provide much-needed support for youth to help them to grow and thrive. As part of their education work, UWMOC developed the Youth Vocational Training initiative in 2019 to address the gap in exposure and awareness to a diverse array of career pathways, including vocational fields. Through that process, United Way partnered with Toms River High School South to create Project SPEARIT - a pre-apprenticeship program for freshmen who may be interested in pursuing vocational and technical careers. Students in Project SPEAR-IT are exposed to a variety of skills, including electric, woodworking and even plumbing. The culmination of their learning experience is demonstrated through this year's capstone project where students put their skills to the test to build nine lifeguard stands for Ortley Beach, which will be delivered to the town just in time for the summer. Even throughout the pandemic, the program's virtual classes had a 98-percent attendance rate and kept students engaged. Project "HEAL" Project HEAL (Help, Empower, and Lead) is a community-based program dedicated to providing assistance, resources, and tools for those affected by violence to change and improve their lives. The program provides services for victims of any type of violence (i.e. gang related, community violence, domestic violence, human trafficking). Since the launch of Project HEAL in early 2021, more than 175 clients have been aided through counseling, emergency financial assistance, legal advice, transportation assistance and more and more than 600 individual and group counseling sessions have been provided. Wyckoff Family YMCA Partnership In 2019 we launched a partnership with the Wyckoff Family YMCA to provide health and wellness education services to members and area residents. They are our mission partners in bettering the community in northern Bergen County. The partnership is going strong, and we provide multiple services to them and their 13,000+ members throughout every season including "Ask the Nurse," behavioral health and aging seminars and cooking demonstrations with adults and children. We also support their summer camp programs, reaching more than 1,000 kids. Hospital at Home In early 2022, we launched Hospital At Home at JFK University Medical Center, a program that delivers high-quality acute care in the home of a Medicare patient and may ultimately be scalable to the larger patient population. The program is created through a Medicare waiver, which permits hospitals to provide acute care at home to Medicare patients. Patients are selected based on factors that include diagnoses that often result in frequent and costly readmissions to hospitals: uncomplicated congestive heart failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cellulitis. Through this program, the following services are delivered in the home: two nursing visits daily; medications delivered to the home including infusions; rehab visits as needed; remote patient monitoring which includes pulse ox, blood pressure, heart rate, weight and temperature. Nutritious meals and home health support are also provided as needed. Research shows that these programs are at least as safe as inpatient care and result in improved clinical outcomes, higher rates of patient satisfaction and reduced health care costs. Patients have indicated that they want to receive care at home, especially during the pandemic. According to a recent survey, 85 percent of adults say it should be a high priority for the government to expand Medicare coverage for at-home health care. Ultimately, we plan to expand the program to other hospitals once the pilot is proven successful and include patients who are not covered by Medicare. Unite Us There's no path to improve health care without significant investment in social determinants of health strategies. Health care must move from acute episodic care to an integrated and coordinated system focused on prevention and better care management. The pandemic was especially cruel to Americans with diabetes, obesity, and other chronic and costly illnesses. It impacted communities of color much more dramatically than white communities. That's why we are partnering with Unite Us (formerly Now Pow), a digital platform that has helped us screen more than 400,000 people who may be at high-risk, with more than 813,000 referrals connecting people directly to social services for rental assistance, groceries and more.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 6
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HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, INC. ("HMH") IS THE TAX-EXEMPT PARENT OF HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH ("NETWORK"). THIS INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE DELIVERY NETWORK CONSISTS OF A GROUP OF AFFILIATED HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS. THE SOLE MEMBER OR STOCKHOLDER OF EACH ENTITY IS EITHER HMH OR ANOTHER NETWORK AFFILIATE CONTROLLED BY HMH. THE NETWORK IS AN INTEGRATED NETWORK OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY. HMH IS AN ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AS TAX-EXEMPT PURSUANT TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 501(C)(3) AND AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION PURSUANT TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 509(A)(3). AS THE CENTRAL ORGANIZATION IN THE GROUP RULING OF THE TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP TAX RETURN, HMH STRIVES TO CONTINUALLY DEVELOP AND OPERATE A MULTI-HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE NETWORK WHICH PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE SPECTRUM OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY. HMH ENSURES THAT ITS NETWORK PROVIDES MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR ABILITY TO PAY. NO INDIVIDUALS ARE DENIED NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE, TREATMENT OR SERVICES. THE NETWORK'S ACTIVE HOSPITALS INCLUDE: - HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, - JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, - RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER, - OCEAN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, - SOUTHERN OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER, - BAYSHORE MEDICAL CENTER, - K.HOVNANIAN CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, - RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER, - PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER, - HMH CARRIER CLINIC, - JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, - MOUNTAINSIDE MEDICAL CENTER, AND - PASCACK VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER EACH OF THESE HOSPITALS OPERATES CONSISTENTLY WITH THE CRITERIA OUTLINED IN IRS REVENUE RULING 69-545. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE R FOR A LISTING OF ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS. QUALITY, SAFETY AND CONSISTENCY ARE AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE BRING TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY AND TO THOSE WHO TRAVEL HERE FOR OUR CARE AND SERVICES. THE PHYSICIANS AND CAREGIVERS FROM HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH ARE AMONG THE FINEST IN THE NATION - STREAMLINING CARE, PUTTING THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS INTO THE CARE THEY PROVIDE, OFFERING PATIENTS MORE OPTIONS AND DISCOVERING AND INNOVATING FOR TOMORROW. HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH COMBINES THE EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION OF ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS WITH THE CONVENIENCE AND COMPASSION OF COMMUNITY-BASED CARE AND SERVICES. THE NETWORK CONSISTS OF 13 HOSPITALS, INCLUDING TWO ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS, TWO CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS, NINE ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS, PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, MORE THAN 120 AMBULATORY CARE CENTERS, SURGERY CENTERS, HOME HEALTH SERVICES, LONG-TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES, AMBULANCE SERVICES, LIFESAVING AIR MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTERS, REHABILITATION CENTERS AND URGENT CARE AND AFTER-HOURS CENTERS. HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH ALSO TRAINS TOMORROW'S DOCTORS AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND CONDUCTS SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH THAT RESULTS IN NEW WAYS OF PREVENTING AND TREATING DISEASE. HIGH ON THE LIST OF MILESTONES WILL BE THE OPENING IN JULY 2018 OF HACKENSACK MERIDIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY, THE ONLY PRIVATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN NEW JERSEY, TO FURTHER PUNCTUATE HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH'S FOCUS ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WILL OFFER A UNIQUE APPROACH IN WHICH STUDENTS FROM NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES WILL TAKE CLASSES WITH FUTURE DOCTORS TO PRODUCE TEAM-BASED CARE THAT PROVIDES MORE COLLABORATIVE CARE AND BETTER OUTCOMES. BY COMBINING AND SHARING RESOURCES AND IDENTIFYING EFFICIENCIES, HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH IS PROVIDING PATIENTS WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY CARE AT THE MOST APPROPRIATE COST, MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE LARGER COMMUNITIES IT SERVES AND ENHANCING ITS ABILITY TO BE INNOVATIVE IN THE DELIVERY OF CARE.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Question 7
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NOT APPLICABLE. THE ENTITY AND RELATED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS ARE LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY. NO COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS FILED WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH PREPARES AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT WHICH IT MAKES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
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