Minnesota hospitals report on community benefits

Minnesota hospitals and health systems contributed nearly $4.2 billion in programs and services to benefit the health of their communities in 2013, a 5.4% increase from 2012, according to a new report by the Minnesota Hospital Association. The total includes $2 billion in government underpayments for treating Medicare and Medicaid patients; and $573 million in uncompensated care, a 20% increase since 2009; among other community benefits. “Hospitals and health systems remain hopeful that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s insurance coverage requirements, including MNsure, will help stabilize uncompensated care growth as formerly uninsured patients become insured either in state public programs or new commercial health plan options,” said MHA President and CEO Lawrence Massa.