FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lisa Huddleston or Colleen O’Toole
(513) 531-0200

DATE: November 18, 2009

MILLIONS IN AREA HOSPITAL DOLLARS BEING DIRECTED

TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE;

NUMBERS UP 15% OVER PREVIOUS YEAR

In the midst of the economic downturn, Greater Cincinnati hospitals are continuing to provide an important safety net for those who need hospital care but are unable to pay for it. A study released today shows 26 area hospitals provided more than $276 million in uncompensated care in 2008, a 15% increase over 2007 numbers.

The survey reports uncompensated care at cost. The totals are above and beyond Hamilton County tax levy funds, other public assistance funds and contractual adjustments, and represent a significant and sizable investment by hospitals to serving the community.

“This care that hospitals provide at no or reduced cost is a critical safety net for people who need hospital care but cannot afford to pay, especially in today’s distressed economic environment,” said Colleen O’Toole, PhD, Health Council president. “The numbers clearly show the strong commitment local hospitals have to their charitable missions.”

“In this tough economic downturn, people struggle to pay for basic everyday needs, such as housing, food and gas,” noted O’Toole. “This makes the safety net even more important for those with unexpected medical bills,” she said. “Even those who may have partial insurance coverage are struggling. Hospitals are working hard to identify anyone who might be in need to make sure they get help.”

The study shows the 10 hospitals in Hamilton County provided $160,169,995 in uncompensated care in 2008, a nearly 13% jump over 2007. In Butler and Warren counties, four hospitals located there saw their uncompensated care totals hit $38,149,121, a 28% increase over the previous twelve months. Northern Kentucky’s five acute-care hospitals also saw a rise, from $42,790,266 in 2007 to $50,053,513 this past year. Seven additional hospitals in suburban and outlying areas of the Tristate comprised the balance ($27,726,135) of the area’s uncompensated care total in 2008.

Factors driving the increases include:

• Expanded eligibility - Hospital charity care policies now include income levels at a higher percentage above federal poverty levels. For example, while policies from hospital to hospital vary, a family of four with a household income of $80,000 would in some instances meet the requirements to receive discounted care.
• Increases in the numbers of people who are uninsured - Approximately 11-15% of Greater Cincinnatians are uninsured according to recent reports.
• Increases in the numbers of those who are employed and have insurance, but who still face hospital costs beyond their means, including co-pays and deductibles.

The $276,098,764 in uncompensated care covers a wide variety of hospital services for medically indigent patients, including emergency department care.

“Many hospital patients locally and nationally lack health insurance or other means to pay for needed care, and these numbers are growing,” O’Toole said. “Hospitals do have a commitment to care for all members of the community regardless of ability to pay,” she added. “Still, the steep increases in free care are among the indicators that the current health care system is broken and in need of significant reform.”

According to Health Council data, in 2008 approximately half of the Tristate’s acute care hospitals reported operating losses. In addition, the operating margin (2007 median) for area acute care hospitals is 2.8%, compared to the national average of 4% for similar facilities.

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Participating Hospitals

HAMILTON COUNTY

Bethesda North Hospital

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Deaconess Hospital of Cincinnati

Good Samaritan Hospital

Mercy Hospital Anderson

Mercy Hospital Mt. Airy

Mercy Hospital Western Hills

The Christ Hospital

The Jewish Hospital

The University Hospital

BUTLER/WARREN COUNTIES

Atrium Medical Center

McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital

Mercy Hospital Fairfield

The Fort Hamilton Hospital

NORTHERN KENTUCKY

St. Elizabeth Medical Center North

St. Elizabeth Medical Center South

St. Elizabeth Medical Center Grant County

St. Luke Hospital East

St. Luke Hospital West

OTHER SUBURBAN AND OUTLYING

Adams County Regional Medical Center

Brown County General Hospital

Clinton Memorial Hospital

Dearborn County Hospital

Highland District Hospital

Margaret Mary Community Hospital

Mercy Hospital Clermont