St. Joe's Provided $29M in Free, Reduced Benefits Last Year

Presence St. Joseph Medical Center spent $29 million to provide free or reduced-cost medical benefits, underwrite Medicaid shortfalls and fund community programs in 2012, the hospital announced Monday.

In total, 77,681 people received some sort of help from the Joliet-based nonprofit medical facility last year, the new release said.

• $8.5 million in financial assistance – the cost of providing free or discounted health services for those who could not afford to pay and met the criteria for financial assistance.
• $18.5 million in Medicaid shortfall – the unpaid costs of public programs for those with low income or a disability.
• $2.3 million in community benefit services – programs and activities to improve community health, educate health professionals, conduct research studies, provide subsidized clinical services and support community organizations.

The hospital also assumed nearly $48 million in bad debt by covering the cost of services rendered for which the recipients made no payment and another $11 million in Medicare shortfall, the release said.

“Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center is committed to serving our community, supporting health and wellness for everyone,” Beth Hughes, president and CEO of Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, said in the statement.