[Vision2020] Gritman's Community Service

[Janesta Carcich]

Greetings,

Those are impressive numbers, and even more impressive
are the programs Gritman has in our community, as well
as the outlying areas. Gritman has always given my
family and myself outstanding care! 

I am curious,  of the 11 million dollars listed as
un-reimbursed, how much of that is a contractual write
off to Medicare/Medicaid, and/or commercial health
insurances, and how much is written off to those with
no insurance, or considered indigent?

Have spent over 3 weeks, four years ago, in the "Hotel
Gritman" due to bi-lateral knee surgery, I want to
share with the community the outstanding medical care
I received. When I had a question regarding in part of
my care, I was given clear and concise answers. My
physical therapist, JoAnna Alford was an angel.
Literally, teaching me to walk again. I refer to
Gritman with fondness when I say "Hotel Gritman", as
the food was delicious!

In closing, I hope no one thinks my question regarding
the write-offs is meant with disrespectful. I just get
a bit miffed with Medicare/Medicaid pays such a minute
portion of a bill. 
Insurances are doing much the same... then the person
with NO insurance is left paying the full billable
amount.

Barbara, perhaps you can also answer another question
for me. If a private pay patient pays the bill in full
within a certain time limit... say the time it takes
an insurance company to pay... does that patient get a
discount? I know some hospitals offer this as an
incentive.

Thank you very much for your information! 

Janesta

--- Barbara Richardson Crouch <edc at moscow.com> wrote:

> Mark and Community,
> 
> I have reviewed Gritman's Form 990 from the year
> 2003 (the latest 
> available).  And I think it is important for the
> community to know the 
> exact amount of Griitman's Community Contributions. 
> In 2003 Gritman 
> provided $11,699,750.02 in direct patient care that
> was not reimbursed.  
> Gritman absorbs these costs for the community.  In
> addition to this 
> amount, Gritman provided another $1,223,791 to
> promote health care in the 
> community by providing services such as Gritman
> Adult Day Health, CPR 
> classes, smoking cessation clases, etc.
> 
> As a community board member, I have been very
> impressed with Gritman's 
> concern for the cost of health care.  I know the
> baord does everything in 
> their power to ensure that our community receives
> the best health care at 
> the best price.  The costs associated with Health
> Care are a concern 
> nationwide.  Moscow is no exception.  But because
> Gritman and its Board of 
> Directors have been fiscally repsonsible and carry a
> fund balance, they 
> are able to keep the increases to a minimum.  As a
> not-for-profit, it is 
> imperative that reserves be maintained to ensure the
> long-term viability 
> of the organization.
> 
> As for Donovan's comments.  Gritman did not play a
> role in the University 
> requiring health insurance for its students.  We all
> know that one injury 
> or illness can create thousands of dollars in
> medical bills.  If a student 
> is not insured, they run the risk of ruining their
> credit for many years, 
> plus the rest of the community pays for their health
> care.  I know that 
> college is expensive, however, when I attended the
> University of 
> Mississippi in the early 1980's I paid more per
> semester than resident 
> students pay in fees today at the Univeristy of
> Idaho!   
> 
> Barbara
> 
> ---------------------------------------------
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> 
>
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