Concord Hospital provides more than $36 million in community benefit programs and services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Andy Morse
(603) 227-7000, ext. 2342
amorse@crhc.org


CONCORD, NH – In fiscal year (FY) 2009, Concord Hospital provided more than $36 million in community benefit health programs and services including over $12 million in financial assistance for low income, underinsured, or uninsured patients.

As a not-for-profit, charitable organization, Concord Hospital develops and implements an annual community benefits plan to meet the broad healthcare needs of patients. The 2008 Capital Region Health Needs Assessment that is conducted every five years is utilized to determine upcoming program priorities for addressing identified health needs. Each year, Concord Hospital demonstrates its long-term commitment and responsiveness to the health needs of the communities it serves by providing the equivalent of millions of dollars in direct patient care, subsidized programs and services, and community outreach.

“Patient financial assistance unequivocally remains one of the most critical needs during this difficult economic time,” said Michael Green, president and CEO of Concord Hospital. “The number of patients requesting financial assistance continues to rise due to unemployment and lack of insurance. In consonance with our not-for-profit charitable mission, Concord Hospital continues to meet the health needs of all individuals we serve, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.”

In FY 2009, Concord Hospital provided $14.2 million in subsidized health services, $12.4 million in financial assistance, $5.8 million in health professions education, and $1.7 million in community health services. Some highlights include:

• Providing $11,230,928 in financial assistance to 3,259 hospital patients, as well as $497,377 in financial assistance to 1,457 Family Health Center patients and $368,166 to 1,226 patients at Concord Hospital Medical Group practices;


• Providing $301,177 in dental care to 812 patients at the Concord Hospital Family Health Center Dental Clinic in Concord;


• Placing nearly 1,800 people who were without primary care access with area primary care physicians;


• Providing assistance to 2,091 patients in gaining access to 12,078 needed medications valued at $5.1 million through various pharmaceutical company programs;


• Valuable medical care experience through the Concord Hospital Forrest D. McKerley Simulation and Education Center;


• Subsidizing $3,363,901 for Family Health Centers operations to ensure primary care, behavioral health, dental care is available to the most vulnerable residents of our region;


• Investing $312,717 for 99 patients in clinical research trials so patients receive quality, expert health care close to home and receive care and treatment that potentially may help others who may face a similar diagnosis in the future;


• Contributing $429,035 to Concord Hospital programs and services and Capital Region Health Care affiliates, as well as other community organizations;


• Investing $562,072 in emergency preparedness to ensure Concord Hospital and its community is prepared for any eventuality.

• Expanding the financial assistance counseling in the Concord Hospital Emergency Department;


• Providing area businesses with health and wellness information and programming to support their employees’ health;


• Connecting community residents without primary care physicians with a practice through the Physician Referral Telephone Line;


• Encouraging graduates of the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency based at Concord Hospital Family Health Center (the only family medicine program in the state) to remain in the area following completion of their clinical training period;


• Launching an Acute Care for the Elderly pilot program for hospitalized elders, designed to minimize functional decline and restore quality of life and independence upon discharge;


• Piloting a comprehensive pediatric obesity program based at Concord Hospital Cholesterol Treatment Center;


• Increasing funding to support behavioral health services in Concord Hospital Emergency Department;


• Preparing for and addressing all H1N1 eventualities;


• Increasing Concord Hospital financial assistance to low income, underinsured, and uninsured patients by 20 percent.