Hospital gave $11.1 million to community in 2004

Carson-Tahoe Hospital provided $11.1 million to benefit the community in 2004, the most recent numbers available from the hospital. The largest chunk of money went toward medical care of poor and underinsured.

The hospital provided $8.6 million toward health services for the indigent and underinsured, said Ed Epperson, Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare chief executive officer and president.

In fiscal year 2005 the hospital took a $7 million tax deduction for medial care it spent on charity cases, compared to $4.9 million the prior year, which is an increase of 43 percent.

Mary Woods, Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare director of business development, said federal guidelines determine the poverty level.

"There is a process patients go through to see if they are eligible to be considered for charity care," she said. "Some patients can pay a portion of the care."

The hospital provided $1.5 million toward community health services. That included the flu shot campaigns, the Mental Health Coalition and the MOMs program, which is a program for low-income pregnant women who do not have insurance. This also includes the cost of awareness campaigns for breast cancer, heart disease and free prostrate screenings.

Educational alliances with Western Nevada Community College and the University of Nevada, Reno totaled $577,000. Workforce enhancement came to $289,000.

Statistics for 2005 will be released in June.

The hospital also spent $91,000 on property tax in 2004. Epperson noted that this will increase now that the $132 million regional medical center, 1600 Medical Parkway, is completed and operational. The hospital spent $67 million to construct the hospital, a total of 710,000 of worker hours. Materials cost $24 million and the cost of equipment was $13 million.

According to a 2004 state report from the Division of Healthcare Financing and Policy, Carson-Tahoe Hospital had less expensive billed charges, operating revenue and operating expenses than the larger hospitals in Sparks and Reno.

St. Mary's, in Reno, admitted about 12,000 patients. Its occupancy rate was 45 percent for the year. Adjusted per patient, billed charges were $32,800. Operating revenue was $10,400 and operating expense was $11,000 per admission.

Carson-Tahoe admitted 8,520 patients. Its occupancy rate in 2004 was 60 percent. Adjusted per patient, billed charges were about $20,000. Operating revenue was $8,400 and operating expense was $8,000 per patient. Epperson said this state data showed Carson-Tahoe Hospital's affordability.

-- Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.