Health & Fitness

Overlake Gave $30 Million In Charity Care In 2018

Overlake Medical Center provided nearly $29 million in charitable impact in the 2018 fiscal year.

BELLEVUE, WA - From Overlake Medical Center: Overlake Medical Center and Clinics today announced it provided $28,729,000 in charity care, Medicaid shortfall coverage and community benefit to Eastside patients in fiscal year 2018, which ended on June 30, 2018. This amounts reflects Overlake’s ongoing commitment to serving all patients, regardless of socio-economic situation or ability to pay. “I am 62 and this is the first time I have received any kind of assistance such as this and I am very grateful, this takes a huge concern off my shoulders,” wrote one Bellevue patient in a letter to Overlake’s financial services department.

Overlake reports that the cost of charity care provided was more than $7 million, representing medical bills
that were covered at no expense to the patient. Services ranged from primary care visits to coverage of
comprehensive cancer treatment for patients who could not afford it. “Overlake is proud to be a positive
contributor to the long-term health and vibrancy of the Eastside,” said Overlake President and CEO, J.
Michael Marsh. “These figures spotlight the commitment to our entire community which has been the core of
this organization since its founding in 1960.”

“I have always put my health last because of the monetary burden it has on my family, but today I am blessed
by one less doctor’s bill in the mail because of you,” wrote an Eastside mother of two who included rainbow
drawings from her young children. “You have warmed my heart, lightened my load, I can laugh a bit more and cry a bit less. I thank you for your part in my journey as a working wife, mom and woman.”

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In addition to direct charity care, offered on a sliding scale up to 400% of federal poverty limit, the Medicaid
shortfall-the discrepancy between the cost of providing care to patients and reimbursement by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services-totaled nearly $16 million. The value of community benefit activities was
$5.7 million, representing community outreach, partnerships with other health-related non-profits, and
educational events on topics including stroke awareness and fall prevention for seniors.

About Overlake Medical Center
Overlake Medical Center and Clinics is a nonprofit regional healthcare system based in Bellevue serving the
Eastside community since 1960. The health system includes a 349-bed hospital and a network of primary,
urgent and specialty care clinics located throughout the greater Eastside. Overlake offers comprehensive
advanced services including a dedicated Cancer Center, level III Trauma Center, Childbirth Center and level
III NICU, cardiac, neurosciences, orthopedic and mental health services. Committed to its mission of
compassionate care for every life we touch, Overlake provided $16 million in charity care over the last
three years and is consistently recognized regionally and nationally for its quality and employees who are
committed to going above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care and service. For more
information, visit overlakehospital.org.

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