Accounting for charity care on a systemwide basis

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Public Health Policy
• Nonprofit Management

Background:

• The Daughters of Charity National Health System (DCNHS) recognized the need for a structured approach to charity care.
• Existing methods for serving the poor lacked systemwide consistency and accountability.
• Addressing long-term challenges in providing care for the sick poor was a priority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a systemwide model for delivering and documenting charity care.
• To enhance the capacity of DCNHS health-care ministries to serve the poor effectively.
• To ensure accountability and strategic planning for charity care at all levels.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a dedicated task force (Working Group on Care of the Poor).
• Identification and recommendation of advocacy and healthcare delivery models for the poor.
• Development of strategies for private sector involvement and documentation of charity care.
• Establishment of linkage models for collaborative charity care provision.

Main Results:

• A cohesive and workable set of goals and policies for charity care was established.
• Individual health-care ministries can now better meet local needs for the care of the sick poor.
• A method for reporting charity care in terms of money and services was developed, improving operational insights.

Conclusions:

• The DCNHS systemwide model effectively supports health-care ministries in providing consistent and accountable charity care.
• The developed framework enhances annual operational planning and reporting for charity care.
• This initiative ensures that charity care remains a central focus in all levels of strategic planning.