Hospital Sisters Health System Self Insurance Trust Fund

“HOSPITAL SISTERS HEALTH SYSTEM SELF INSURANCE TRUST FUND IS AN AFFILIATE OF HOSPITAL SISTERS HEALTH SYSTEM(HSHS), A HEALTH CARE MINISTRY THAT INCLUDES 15 HOSPITALS, NUMEROUS COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND CLINICS, AND HUNDREDS OF PHYSICIAN PARTNERS ACROSS ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. The mission of HSHS is "to reveal and embody Christ's healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry." We live our mission by providing holistic healing to all who seek our care, as well as through Community Benefit. In tandem with others in the communities we serve, our Community Benefit initiatives are strategically increasing access to care, improving the health status of residents, and increasing medical education and knowledge. In FY2017, our hospitals responded to the top needs identified in each of their most recent Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs). The information gathered from these assessments was used to develop or enhance Community Benefit programs and services to best address community health needs. Among the priority needs identified in the most recent CHNA process were access to care; alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse; chronic disease prevention and management; nutrition/wellness; mental health; and oral health. HSHS hospitals are proactively addressing these and other needs through patient, provider and community education, preventative screenings, self-management classes, and new or enhanced clinical services. In FY2017, HSHS collectively provided $197.6 million in Community Benefit (9.2% of total hospital expenses). This amount included $26.0 million provided for Financial Assistance (a.k.a. Charity Care) and $128.6 million for unreimbursed care provided as part of the Medicaid program. In addition, HSHS hospitals committed significant resources to treat Medicare patients. The cost of providing services to primarily elderly beneficiaries of the Medicare program - in excess of governmental and managed care contract payments - was $205.9 million. HSHS hospitals also recorded $40.9 million in uncollectible accounts. While HSHS does not count the latter two amounts as Community Benefit, they nonetheless reflect our commitment to serving all persons in need of care. In addition to the dollars invested in our Community Benefit programs, HSHS continues to reinvest any surplus revenue from operations and investments into new medical technology, facility infrastructure and health care services in our communities. By doing so, we ensure our ability to meet the ongoing demand for high quality, efficient and easily accessible health care. Improve access to health care As a Franciscan health care ministry, HSHS is deeply committed to serving those who are most in need with a special focus on the poor and vulnerable. We not only provide care to every patient who walks through our doors, but also reach out beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics to care for those in our communities. Our efforts to ensure residents in the communities we serve receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right setting involve collaborating with others to achieve this goal. Across our two-state System, there are numerous examples of partnerships with departments of public health, other health care facilities and community and social service organizations to enhance access to care for those in need. In FY2017, HSHS and our 15 hospitals dedicated Community Benefit resources to educate uninsured persons about enrollment opportunities in affordable health care coverage and to facilitate the enrollment process. Studies have shown that people without insurance are more likely to postpone care and develop more severe and expensive conditions than their insured counterparts. It is for this reason that the Catholic Church, Catholic health care and HSHS have long promoted "coverage and access for all." HSHS and our 15 hospitals in partnership with local health departments, social service agencies and other h”

“HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville, Illinois increases access to mammograms, diagnostic screenings and breast cancer treatments for women through the hospital's Pink Ribbon Program and Vicky Wagner Breast Cancer Assistance Fund. The Pink Ribbon Program covers the costs of mammograms or diagnostic screenings for women living in rural areas who are under or uninsured. The Vicky Wagner Breast Cancer Assistance Fund assists women living in Shelby County who are receiving treatment for breast cancer with out of pocket expenses such as wigs, transportation to treatment appointments, child care, meals or other expenses that insurance doesn't cover. In southwest Illinois, HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland provides enhanced offerings for senior population based on their CHNA. "Senior Renewal" is an outpatient counseling program for senior adults who may be facing emotional and physical problems unique to the aging process such as feelings of loneliness, isolation and anxiety. Clients receive a comprehensive level of treatment without inpatient hospitalization through counseling strategies and education. In addition, St. Joseph's Hospital is the lead collaborator in the Highland Area Meals on Wheels Program. In April 1977, the hospital partnered with the now defunct Highland Area Council of Churches to introduce the Meals on Wheels program. Today, St. Joseph's partners with the civic organization Highland Area Meals on Wheels Program to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to the elderly, those who are recuperating from illness or hospital stays, or anyone wishing to participate in the program within a 15-mile radius (cumulative population 20,000+) of the hospital. Annually, approximately 16,896 meals are delivered in eight communities. In addition to programs designed to increase access to care, HSHS makes sure that those who need financial assistance receive it. HSHS's Financial Assistance (Charity Care) policy was modified to offer a 45 percent self-pay discount to all patients who register without insurance. HSHS Financial Assistance programs have a sliding scale, in some instances providing up to a 55 percent reduction off billed charges if an uninsured patient's family income level is determined to be above 500 percent but equal to our less than 600 percent of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. HSHS hospitals waive all charges for patients below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Levels. Counselors are available in our hospitals to explain our financial assistance policy to patients, provide them with assistance in filling out a simple application form, or help them enroll in publicly funded health care programs. Enhance community health As part of our mission to embody Christ's healing love for all people, we understand that we have a responsibility to improve the overall quality of life in our communities by supporting initiatives that promote health and wellness. We recognize we are most successful when we work together with a wide array of public and private organizations that share our commitment to improving lives. By doing so, we maximize our efforts and reduce the duplication of services. To ensure the health care needs of all are being met, HSHS hospitals also understand we need to listen closely to the residents of the communities we serve. In turn, 13 HSHS hospitals conducted Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) in FY2015. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, who affiliated with HSHS in September 2015, and HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, Illinois, who affiliated with HSHS in May 2016, both completed their CHNAs in FY2014. HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville, Illinois who affiliated with HSHS in January 2017, conducted its most recent CHNA in FY2016. HSHS hospitals are using the information gathered from their most recent CHNAs to develop new, and enhance existing, programs and services that best address the needs of the community. Priority health care needs”

“In FY2017, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan supported a case manager position to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services at Lakeshore Community Health Care (LCHC) in Sheboygan. First year funding by the hospital in FY2016 was used to create the position. In FY2018, the position will be solely funded by LCHC. SBIRT is an evidence-based practice designed to identify, reduce and prevent problematic use, abuse and dependence on drugs and alcohol. The creation of the SBIRT case manager position stems from Healthy Sheboygan County's 2020 Community Health Implementation Plan which was created following the Community Health Needs Assessment in 2014. Studies show that excessive use of alcohol and other drugs contributes to more than 70 diseases and leads to expensive, long-term health problems. Through early intervention, provided by the SBIRT case manager, the plan is to reduce costs and decrease the severity of drug and alcohol abuse. Advance medical knowledge HSHS works to advance medical knowledge by supporting research initiatives and educational opportunities. In FY2017, HSHS hospitals and affiliated physician groups contributed more than $21.5 million toward research and health professions education. Highlights of this commitment include subsidizing medical school residency programs, offering ongoing medical education to physicians and clinicians, and providing job shadowing programs for high school students. In southern Illinois, HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese, hosted members of the Health Occupations Students of America onsite to learn about job opportunities in health care from health care professionals. St. Joseph's also provided clinical experience for Kaskaskia College students enrolled in nursing, physical therapy and radiology programs. Pharmacy students have also completed their clinical training at St. Joseph's Hospital. In FY2017, the program served more than 200 students. In FY2017, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay invested more than $636,000 to provide onsite training and education of nurses and allied health professionals. In addition, the hospitals have been collaborating with the Medical College of Wisconsin to establish a community medical education program in Green Bay and to provide financial support to offset operating costs in FY2017. Also in eastern Wisconsin, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls provided training for local paramedics and emergency response personnel through the hospital's EMS liaison program. Mission-driven and strategically implemented Community Benefit is an integral part of Hospital Sisters Health System's Mission. Our commitment to Community Benefit arises from our Catholic identity, Mission and Core Values shared by 14,000 colleagues across Illinois and Wisconsin. Through our work to improve access to health care services, enhance community health, advance medical knowledge, and relieve or reduce the burden of government, we believe we have made a positive difference in the quality of lives of tens of thousands of people in Illinois and Wisconsin in FY2017. As a Catholic health care ministry, HSHS is concerned with the dignity of all persons, the common good, and the stewardship of resources. We advocate for health care for all and work to improve social conditions that lead to improved health and well-being. We engage partners in our communities to improve health and quality of life and to reduce duplication. Working side- by-side with many faith communities, HSHS remains dedicated to our common purpose of compassionate care for all people.”