TRI-COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INC

TRI-COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC. ("TRI-COUNTY") PROVIDES INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, AND EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE HEALTH OF LOW-INCOME PATIENTS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL AND PROVIDES INPATIENT ACUTE CARE AND SWING BED SERVICES, ALONG WITH AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS OPEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PER DAY, AND OTHER OUTPATIENT SERVICES. VISITING SPECIALISTS FROM AN AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION, GUNDERSEN CLINIC, LTD., PERFORM OUTPATIENT GASTROENTEROLOGY, ORTHOPEDIC, AND OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL PROCEDURES AT THE FACILITY AS WELL. TRI-COUNTY ALSO OPERATES AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, THREE RURAL HEALTH CLINICS, AND AN AMBULANCE SERVICE. THE CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL HAD 556 INPATIENT ACUTE DAYS, 109 RESPITE DAYS, 3915 SWING BED DAYS, 713 SURGICAL OPERATIONS, AND 7695 ER VISITS IN THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION OF TRI-COUNTY, CARE IS PROVIDED TO PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, INCLUDING PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE EITHER UNDERINSURED OR CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE RESOURCES. HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS UNDER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, SUCH AS MEDICAID HOSPITAL SERVICES, ARE ALSO CONSIDERED PART OF TRI-COUNTY'S BENEFIT PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY, SINCE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SUCH SERVICES ARE REIMBURSED AT AMOUNTS LESS THAN THE COSTS OF PROVIDING CARE.PATIENTS WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR CHARITY CARE, GENERALLY BASED ON FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, ARE PROVIDED CARE AT A SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED RATE, DETERMINED BASED ON QUALIFYING CRITERIA AS DEFINED IN TRI-COUNTY'S CHARITY CARE POLICY, AND FROM APPLICATIONS COMPLETED BY PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE AMOUNT OF HOSPITAL AND CLINIC CHARGES FOREGONE FOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FURNISHED UNDER THIS POLICY DURING 2024 TOTALED $588,446. IN ADDITION, DISCOUNTS TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES AMOUNTED TO $4,496,639.BENEFITS FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY ALSO INCLUDE UNPAID COSTS OF TREATING THE ELDERLY, HEALTH SCREENINGS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGH SEMINARS AND CLASSES, AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES.