Ascension care delivery is evolving from treating people when they are sick to being a partner in the well-being of individuals – measuring the care we provide by the quality outcomes and experience to patients.
Over the past several years, Ascension has systematically been building capacity to manage the care of those we serve in a very different manner, shifting as we migrate from fee for service to fee for value. These changes along with ongoing uncertainty within the regulatory environment have resulted in expected shifts in volumes within our System.
With the start of fiscal year 2018, Ascension saw net patient service revenue on a same-facility basis increase $63.3 million or 1.2 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. Overall net patient service revenue decreased slightly by 0.6 percent as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the sale of Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin, effective June 30, 2017.
During that same period, Ascension increased its care of persons who are living in poverty and other community benefits by $32 million or 7 percent compared to the prior year. Traditional charity care increased $24 million (19 percent), primarily due to more patients qualifying. In addition, the unpaid cost of public programs for persons living in poverty increased $16 million (7.6 percent) primarily due to a decline in Medicaid reimbursement.
Ascension is driven by the changing consumer landscape to put our patients and their needs first. Providing care for all persons where, how and when they need it – that is the organization’s unique and special calling.
For the full Management’s Discussion and Analysis, click here.
