NOVI, Mich., Dec. 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Trinity Health's 44 hospitals contributed $401.0 million in free or discounted health services across seven states during fiscal year 2005, an increase of 4.2 percent over the previous year.
Charity care at cost -- defined as the cost of free services given to uninsured patients who can't afford to pay -- increased 22 percent over last year, from $55.8 million to $71.3 million. The $15.5 million increase was due in part to focused attention across all Trinity Health facilities to improve the communication of charity care options.
"The free care and health programming we provide is a critical safety net for uninsured patients and our communities," said Joseph Swedish, President and CEO, Trinity Health. "As a system of Catholic hospitals, we are pleased to advance our mission through our many community health activities. Still, we are very concerned about the growing number of uninsured patients in our country. It is a national problem that we as a society must solve together."
Trinity Health takes seriously its stewardship commitment to reinvesting income to the benefit of its communities. In fact, for every $1.00 Trinity Health made through operations last year, it contributed $1.46 to Community Benefit Ministry (excluding Medicare) activities.
A total of 1,505 programs in fiscal 2005 focused on key gaps in health care services, with special emphasis on eliminating disparities in access and outcomes for those who lack insurance or the ability to pay for care.
These community programs align with Trinity Health's prioritized populations that need services such as primary care, mental health and substance recovery, HIV/AIDS prevention, education and support, and chronic disease management.
Measured according to standards set by the Catholic Health Association, Community Benefit Ministry takes the form of charity care, community health services, financial contributions, and health education:
-- Ministry for the uninsured - $201.9 million (includes charity care
at cost)
-- Ministry for the broader community - $62.9 million
-- Unpaid cost of Medicare - $136.2 million.
In addition to its ministry to the community, Trinity Health reinvests other income (primarily from investments) toward targeted operational initiatives that improve and expand hospital services to the general community, with a focus on:
-- Compassionate, safe, effective and efficient care to patients;
-- Patient-centered treatment using advanced technology and
information systems
-- Competitive salaries and benefits for associates.
Trinity Health's growing commitment to Community Benefit Ministry was supported by stable operating performance across the system. Trinity Health reported audited operating income of $181.6 million during fiscal 2005, compared to $140.3 million during the same period last year.
Based in Novi, Mich., Trinity Health is the fourth-largest Catholic health system based on total revenue. Sponsored by Catholic Health Ministries, the system operates 44 hospitals (29 owned, 15 managed), outpatient facilities, long-term care facilities, home health offices and hospice programs. Trinity Health also owns Care Choices, a health maintenance organization, and Preferred Choices, a preferred provider organization. Employing approximately 44,000 full-time staff, Trinity Health reported $5.7 billion in unrestricted revenue in FY2005.
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