MDH Contributes $9 Million Annually in Community Benefits

MACOMB, IL. – During the most recent 2010-2011 fiscal year McDonough District Hospital provided approximately $9 million in contributed annual community benefits in programs and services to individuals receiving health care through MDH.

Information compiled at MDH follows the recently released Illinois Hospital Association (IHA) report of Illinois hospitals contributing community benefits of more than $4.6 billion in programs and services in their 2009-10 fiscal years, according to the fifth annual IHA report. Illinois Hospitals: Cornerstones of Health, Foundations of the Community focuses on how hospitals in Illinois respond to the evolving health care needs of patients in their communities as they strive to combat obesity and diabetes, lend a helping hand when needed, and enhance the services they provide in a multitude of ways.

“McDonough District Hospital serves the community in a variety of ways through providing care to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay as well as providing educational programs and screenings to improve the health of our community residents,” said President/CEO Kenny Boyd.

As a district not-for-profit public hospital MDH is not required to complete the Illinois Community Benefits Act reports, however the hospital has compiled data in several categories listed in the statewide report.

During the 2011 fiscal year MDH provided: $3,481,829 in health care services for patients who were expected to pay (bad debt) but did not pay and did not apply for any financial assistance; $2,114,806 in charges forgiven for those qualifying for financial assistance (charity care) and absorbed $3.4 million in costs because of underpayments by government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

In addition to the approximate $9 million in funds not received for services provided, the hospital offers a variety of free or reduced cost health and community benefit programs in Macomb, Bushnell, and other communities in and adjacent to McDonough County. Programs and screenings have included flu shot clinics, programs for seniors at local business locations, cancer education and screening programs through outreach services, blood glucose screenings at the annual Western Illinois University Farm Expo, Farm Safety day for fifth graders; hand washing clinics for kindergarten students, first aid, CPR, childbirth and other health courses and seminars. The hospital also uses private donations to provide financial assistance to breast cancer patients through Linda’s Fund, financial waivers for digital mammography and to support an Adult Day Health program for seniors.