Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| (A)
Northeast Georgia Medical Center |
581694098 | 3 | Yes | 0 | 0 | |
| Total 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
||||
| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Part IV, Section d, Line 3 | Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. exercises a substantial degree of direction over the policies, programs, and activities, to include the investments of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc. by appointing the members of its board of trustees. |
| Part IV, Section E, Line 3a | Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. has the power to regularly appoint the members of the board of trustees of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc. |
| Part IV, Section E, Line 3b | Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. exercises a substantial degree of direction over the policies, programs, and activities of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc. by appointing the members of its board of trustees. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a, Program Service Accomplishments: | Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) provides a comprehensive range of acute care and specialty services through two campuses: a 100-bed hospital in Braselton and a 557-bed regional referral hospital in Gainesville. NGMC serves the area's low-income, uninsured, underinsured and other vulnerable populations. NGMC Gainesville serves as the regional safety net hospital, with approximately half of its patients coming from outside of Hall County. As a not-for-profit hospital, NGMC reinvests all funds in excess of operating expenses into healthcare services for the community. The Medical Center receives no tax revenue from Hall or other counties served, and services are funded by revenue generated from operations. Located in Georgia's fastest growing region, the 66-year-old hospital has expanded considerably in recent years to meet demand, investing a quarter of a billion dollars to update its aging plant in Gainesville and another $200 million-plus to build the new NGMC Braselton campus and expanding its services to include obstetrics and radiation therapy. NGMC Gainesville is rated as the #1 hospital in Georgia and #2 in the Nation for Overall Hospital Care (according to the 2015 study by CareChex) and among only twenty large community hospitals named to Truven Healthcare's list of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals. NGMC provided charity care to Hall County residents at a cost of $17.2 million in 2016 with another $13.8 million provided to regional residents outside Hall County. NGMC receives no local tax revenue from Hall County (or any counties served in Region 2) to support operations or care provided to indigent residents, unlike a number of not-for-profit hospitals. The Medical Center's charity care policy provides financial assistance up to 300% of the poverty level, double the amount generally provided by other hospitals across the State. The hospital is a key participant and fiscal sponsor in programs aimed at treating low-income and uninsured patients, including the Good News Clinics, the largest free health care clinic in Georgia, and Health Access Initiative (HAI), a local service that matches financially eligible patients to specialty physicians and provides access to care, among other services. Additionally: - Since 2000, NGMC has provided nearly three times the amount of indigent and charity care set forth in requirements by the Georgia Department of Community Health for successful passage of a certificate of need for new services, and, unlike many Georgia not-for-for profit hospitals held to the same requirements, NGMC does not receive tax funding from its local county to help fund indigent care to area residents. - NGMC is the primary hospital for low-income patients in Gainesville-Hall County and throughout the region in counties such as Banks, Dawson, and White, where many key medical specialties are not available. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | NGMC is number 11 in top hospitals for net uncompensated care ($42.3 M) provided in Georgia based on State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 Indigent Care Trust Fund (ICTF) Total Hospital Specific Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Limits; many of the hospitals on the list received local tax dollars, while NGMC did not. NGMC serves as a financial engine for the local economy. In 2015 (latest numbers available), the hospital surpassed the $1 billion mark in local and state economic impact for the sixth consecutive year, according to a report by the Georgia Hospital Association, which applied an economic multiplier to the hospital's direct expenditures to account for the "ripple" effect the hospital's spending has on other sectors of the local and state economies. The report found that through its economic impact, the hospital sustained nearly 12,000 full-time jobs throughout the region and the state in 2015. Under the Internal Revenue Code, a tax-exempt organization, classified as a 501(c)(3) charity, is required to: have a mission that will benefit its community; reinvest all surplus funds in the organization in a way that benefits the community; compensate executives, contractors and other employees in accordance to fair market value; remain accountable to the community; refrain from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates and/or lobby as a substantial part of its activities; and, remain financially accountable to the community by not allowing any portion of its net earnings to benefit any private shareholder or individual. As a not-for-profit hospital, NGMC carries additional responsibilities, as established by the IRS in 1965: - Operate a full-time emergency room that is available to all people, regardless of their ability to pay; - NGMC operates the 2nd busiest ER in Georgia (according to the 2015 Annual Hospital Questionnaire Survey). In FY16, more than 20% of all NGMC's emergency room visits were made by self-pay patients. - Provide non-emergency services to anyone able to pay; - Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. (NGHS) provides high quality, advanced specialty and primary healthcare services to the Northeast Georgia community, serving almost 900,000 people in more than 15 counties. In FY16, NGMC's payor mix was 58% Medicare/Medicaid, 33% commercial insurance and 9% self-pay. - Participate in Medicaid and Medicare programs; - 58% of patients served by NGMC in FY16 were Medicaid and Medicare patients. - Create a governing board that is representative of the community it serves; - More than 80 community members are actively involved in governance through NGHS, NGMC and other subsidiary boards and committees. - Allow medical staff privileges to any professional who is qualified and applies; - NGMC has a medical staff of more than 700 physicians representing numerous advanced specialties such as gynecologic oncology, electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, critical care medicine, surgical trauma, neonatology and perinatology. - Reinvest surplus funds in operations. - As not-for-profit organizations, the revenue generated by NGMC and its parent organization, NGHS, above operating expenses is reinvested into the community. Examples include construction of new medical facilities, such as the new hospital in Braselton offering 24/7 emergency room services not previously available to local residents; investments in advanced medical technology such as robotic surgical systems and state of the art radiation therapy equipment; and development of the only Level 2 Trauma Center in northeast Georgia. - NGMC participates in the Indigent Care Trust Fund (ICTF), a 20-year-old program that expands Medicaid eligibility and services, supports rural health care facilities that serve the medically indigent and funds primary health care programs for medically indigent Georgians. Georgia's Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program is funded through the ICTF, and assists hospitals and other health providers that care for high proportions of Medicaid, uninsured and/or low-income patients. In 2016, NGMC received $4.8 million in net funds allocated through the Medicaid DSH ICTF program to partially offset a financial loss of $42.3 million in costs the Medical Center incurred treating uninsured and Medicaid patients. In addition, NGMC received $3.9 million in net funds allocated through the Medicaid Upper Payment Limit (UPL) program to adjust Medicaid payments upward to match Medicare payment levels. NGMC values cooperative efforts with community organizations and other healthcare providers to improve the health status of area residents. NGMC demonstrates this through many partnerships ranging from serving as lead agency of the Safe Kids Coalition of Gainesville-Hall County, to partnering with other organizations such as Good News Clinics and the Public Health Department to reach at-risk populations in need of healthcare. In FY16, over $6 million was provided in community benefit programs/outreach. Community education was provided through free community lectures, various support groups and the semi-annual health magazine, Communicare. NGMC also offered several community education seminars in 2016 on topics ranging from health and nutrition to women's health education and more. What Drives NGMC's Community Health Improvement Activities? NGMC, with input from the community, completed a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in 2016. The assessment focused mainly on the needs of the community's most vulnerable populations, particularly those with low-incomes who are uninsured. Input from the community was gathered through focus groups and interviews. Focus group participants and interviewees included community leaders, public health experts, and those representing the needs of minority, underserved, and indigent populations. Input was also received from an internal NGMC board level workgroup and senior leadership who validated, refined, and expanded the list of health needs NGMC will address. The study culminated in the identification of the following 5 priority health needs across the region: Septicemia, Access to Care, Diabetes, Cancer, and Injury. Go to www.nghs.com/community-benefit-library#chna for more information and full reports. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | The following contains highlights of community benefit activities provided by NGMC in FY16, often partnering with other organizations and individuals in the community: Partnering to Reach the Uninsured: NGMC works cooperatively with other area healthcare providers to care for all area residents, particularly the indigent population. Partners include, but are not limited to, NGMC, the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Primary Care Clinic at Hall County Health Department, the Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, The Longstreet Clinic, Good News Clinics (indigent clinic), Medlink (federally qualified health center), as well as physicians. Good News Clinics (GNC): NGMC provides funding to GNC that helps provide medications, medical supplies and other support for GNC - the largest free clinic in Georgia. Founded in 1992, GNC is a Christian ministry that provides medical and dental care to the indigent and uninsured population at no charge. Forty-six physicians, 12 mid-level providers and 44 dentists volunteer to treat patients at GNC. In addition, 340 specialist physicians volunteer to treat patients in their offices through referrals from GNC, NGPG Primary Care Clinic at the Hall County Health Department and physicians in Hall County. In FY16, over $500,000 was donated to help GNC provide care to indigent patients who were at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and did not qualify for other programs. Clinical professionals from NGMC staff a Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic at GNC, as well as a cardiology clinic. This project has been extremely successful, holding a 30-day hospital readmissions rate of zero in 2016. Additional health screenings are provided to vulnerable populations at GNC such as prostate screenings. Other services provided include a seizure clinic and diabetes education and management, and there is a registered dietician on staff who helps patients with lifestyle modifications required for management of Heart Failure, Diabetes and weight loss. NGPG Primary Care Clinic at the Hall County Health Department: NGMC funds and staffs a primary care clinic at the Hall County Health Department to improve access to primary healthcare services for low-income people in our community. In FY16, NGMC contributed over $1,000,000 to fund this clinic. Prenatal Care Program at the Health Department: NGMC partners with The Longstreet Clinic to improve birth outcomes by increasing early prenatal care for low-income, uninsured and under-insured pregnant women via the Health Department's primary care clinic. Yearly cost to NGMC is approximately $200,000. Indigent Patient Fund: At NGMC, financial assistance is provided for indigent patients to obtain urgently needed discharge medications and transportation. Individuals eligible for these funds are patients whose needs cannot be met through primary insurance, their own personal funds, government programs or other charitable services. This helps to ensure medication compliance and maximize conditions for recovery and recuperation. The Medical Center Foundation provides funding for this. Charity Care: NGMC's charity care policy removes barriers for low-income populations within our service area beginning with free, medically necessary care for patients whose gross family income is 0 to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) adjusted for family size. Further, patients from our service area, whose FPL is from 151 to 300%, may qualify for an adjustment equivalent to the hospital's Medicare reimbursement rate plus an additional 40% discount to the Medicare reimbursement rate. Total Charity Care Cost for FY16: $31 million - $17.2 million for Hall County; $13.8 million for regional residents NGMC Volunteers: In FY16, 722 NGMC volunteers contributed 70,690 volunteer hours, equivalent to 42 full time employees and a value of $1.6 million to the organization. While these figures are not included in the quantitative portion of the community benefit report, they show the depth of support the community gives NGMC. 138 teens participated in the Teen Volunteer Program in 2016. The teens represented 28 different schools within the area. Encouraging Medical Volunteering: NGMC provides information at physician orientation to encourage physicians to step up to volunteer opportunities through local free clinics (GNC in Gainesville and Helping Hand Clinic in Cleveland) as well as Health Access. NGPG also encourages physicians to give their time volunteering at these locations. Through various physician leadership councils, NGMC's Cancer Services Program encourages its physicians to actively participate in community outreach, including educational seminars, screenings, cancer prevention opportunities and other outreach with the purpose of improving patient care, quality, access and programmatic excellence of cancer services within the community. Financial Navigators: NGMC has financial assistance counselors who help patients become insured, be it through Medicaid, PeachCare or other programs. This team focuses on being advocates for uninsured and under-insured patients, aiding them in finding viable means to access care. They find the best solutions for helping patients apply for Medicaid or disability, accessing healthcare exchanges or processing charity applications when appropriate. Patient Navigators: NGMC also has a cancer patient navigation program. This program provides cancer patients with guidance throughout their cancer journey, and they are seen as a "living resource directory" for patients. Partnering in the Community NGMC is actively involved in Vision 2030 (www.Vision2030.org). This community-wide program is sponsored by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and participation is open to everyone in the community. An NGMC employee currently chairs on the board of Vision 2030 which focuses on the creation of a culture of community wellness, the support and maintenance of lifelong learning, the building of an economy around emerging life sciences, the encouragement of innovative growth/infrastructure development, and the promotion of cultural integration. NGMC is also an active partner on other chamber committees such as the Healthcare Committee and the Health Initiative Consortium. NGMC is also a partner in HALLmark, which is a community investment plan that addresses economic development, education, government and community development through partnership. Members of NGMC's bariatric service line also serve on Hall County School System's Wellness Council. A NGMC representative serves on Hall County Family Connection (HCFC). HCFC adopted Teen Pregnancy Prevention and community-wide resource mapping in partnership with United Way as its two focus areas for the next two years. HCFC is a collaborative which serves as the local decision-making body, bringing community partners together to develop, implement and evaluate plans that address the serious challenges facing the children and families in our county. Its vision is that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential for good health, be secure from abuse and neglect and become a literate, productive, economically self-sufficient member of our community. The mission of HCFC is to identify and monitor areas of community concern and to mobilize the community and its resources in a common effort to develop solutions. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | The Medical Center Foundation (MCF) Raises Funds to Benefit the Community. The MCF is the fundraising arm of NGMC and raises funds to improve the health of the community. The Foundation's operating expenses are supported by NGMC so that donated funds can be used to support NGMC projects and community health improvement initiatives. Following are items of interest to note: - Since 1997, approximately $3.5 million has been raised for community health improvement projects through The Medical Center Open. - The 2015 Medical Center Open Golf Tournament raised $281,881 for the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation's 'Think About It' Campaign, and 100% of proceeds will benefit the campaign's Project DAN (Deaths Avoided by Naloxone), which is designed to reduce widespread drug abuse and specifically reduce deaths from opioid overdose. - Through the employee giving club known as W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Targeting Community Healthcare), members have donated more than $7.8 million to support the Healthy Journey Campaign since the program's inception in 1999. Investing in Our Youth Safe Kids Coalition Works to Keep Kids Safe: The Gainesville-Hall County Safe Kids Coalition, led by NGMC, is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury, which is the nation's number one killer of children ages 14 and under. This program provides affordable safety equipment such as car seats, bike helmets, and life jackets to area children in need. Working with a coalition made up of law enforcement, area schools, community volunteers and others, Safe Kids provides educational materials and programs that teach children and their parents how to avoid accidents and injuries. Safe Kids continued the work of injury prevention for families in the Hall County community in 2016 thanks to the support of MCF and the Healthy Journey Campaign. In FY16, members of the Gainesville-Hall County Safe Kids Coalition provided over 300 programs and events that reached an estimated 50,000 children and their family members, teachers and caregivers. Through these programs, over 5,000 safety devices were distributed to families who were in need of them. Education and Support for Seniors Getting Older and Better Workshop: Over 300 people participated in the Getting Older and Better Workshop held in September at both Gainesville and Braselton locations. This event was sponsored by The Medical Center Auxiliary, provided by NGMC and featured the topic, "Joint Health and Falls Prevention." Featured speakers were Gregory Woods, M.D., from NGPG, Jeffery Garrett, M.D. from The Longstreet Clinic, and Donna Lee, Outreach Coordinator from NGMC Trauma Services. NGMC has provided a significant donation for a non-profit, volunteer run transportation program serving Hall County senior adults, called iTNLanier, which is being spearheaded by the Wisdom Project. The service provides personal, cost effective transport services to the elderly. iTNLanier is a pre-affiliate of iTNAmerica, a national organization with 27 chapters providing thousands of rides daily to senior citizens. Support of Community Efforts to Improve Health NGMC employees are very active in the community, volunteering at GNC, in their churches on mission trips and for community agencies such as the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity. When it comes to supporting MCF's employee giving club, W.A.T.C.H., over 3,400 employees donated about $550,000 in 2016. Relay for Life, American Heart Walk, and March for Babies: NGMC employees turned out in full force for community events such as the American Heart Walk, March of Dimes' WalkAmerica and American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, averaging participation of 200 employees per event. Blood Drives: In FY16, NGMC hosted 25 drives, resulting in 437 donors and over 359 pints of blood. Employees Lead the Way, United Way Pacesetter & More: NGHS employees contributed over $100,000 to United Way as a Pacesetter Company. Two NGMC employees serve on the United Way Board. Training and Education for Healthcare Professionals: NGMC continues to serve as a "pipeline" to help get more qualified people interested in healthcare positions and help provide training and education to students. This training and education is done through a variety of avenues from job shadowing to the nurse extern program and pharmacy residency program as well as significant support to Foothills Area Health Education Centers. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | NGMC Provides Health Information & Support: The Fraser Resource Center and Health Sciences Library at NGMC serves the health information needs of the community. The library is located on the Medical Center campus in Gainesville. Consumers, patients and their family members have access to credible resources relating to medical symptoms, conditions and treatments both at the library and also via links on NGMC's website (www.nghs.com/library). The Resource Center encourages visitors to make healthy choices and become active, informed partners in their healthcare. In keeping with guidelines for community benefit reporting, NGMC did not include quantitative data on the following programs/projects, but it does meet health needs in the community identified via the 2016 (the most recent) CHNA and warrant inclusion in this summary. Patient-Centered Medical Neighborhood: NGHS has been selected as one of 15 communities in the nation to establish a patient-centered medical neighborhood (PCMN) as part of a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Innovation Challenge Grant. The PCMN builds on the concept of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) by connecting acute-care hospitals, specialty and sub-specialty practices and other community health resources with primary care providers in order to drive higher quality, provide more affordable care and ensure a positive patient experience. The first step in this three-year project was to build strong medical home practices. Partnering with NGPG and other community practices, this project is designed to provide more individualized care to patients. A medical home is a concept of care - not a building, a house or a hospital. The goal of the medical home model is to better coordinate care through primary care practices with hospitals, medical specialties and other community health services to support a more fully-integrated approach to care. Being cared for in a Patient Centered Medical Home means NGPG's healthcare providers will work with patients to help understand their total healthcare needs and connect them with community and other resources to help meet their individualized needs. A partnership is developed between the patient, the personal primary care physician and other members of the healthcare team, and there is a key focus on encouraging patients to participate in their care. SANE program: NGMC provides a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program which provides nurses special training in rape crisis, trial time with a District Attorney and training with law enforcement and a pediatrician's office. NGMC employs nurses who have specialized training to complete the Sexual Assault Nurse Exam and provide specialized care for patients who are victims of sexual assault. This program is not a requirement of hospitals and is also not provided at all hospitals throughout the state. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | Organization Overview NGHS is a not-for-profit community health system dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of the people of Northeast Georgia. Through the services of a medical staff of more than 600 physicians, the residents of northeast Georgia enjoy access to the state's finest and most comprehensive medical services. The Health System offers a full range of healthcare services through NGMC with two hospital campuses, one in Braselton and one in Gainesville. NGMC is rated among the top 10% in the nation, by CareChex. CareChex also recognizes NGMC as Georgia's #1 hospital for heart care, women's care and pulmonary care. NGMC also provides long term care through two centers in Gainesville and mental health and substance abuse treatment through a freestanding inpatient center. The Health System's services extend throughout the Northeast Georgia region through urgent care centers, outpatient rehabilitation centers offering physical, speech and occupational therapy, a satellite cancer treatment center and several multi-specialty medical office buildings. Through NGPG, residents in Northeast Georgia have close access to primary care as well as a host of medical specialties through more than 250 providers at more than 50 locations. Led by volunteer boards made up of community leaders, the Health System serves almost 800,000 people in more than 13 counties across Northeast Georgia. As a not-for-profit health system, all revenue generated above operating expenses is returned to the community through improved services and innovative programs. NGMC's Charity Care Policy supports the provision of care for indigent patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Special Notes NGMC uses the precepts outlined in "A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit," provided by the Catholic Health Association of The United States and VHA, Inc. The guide's purpose is to help not-for-profit mission-driven healthcare organizations develop, enhance and report on their community benefit programs. Community Benefit Definition: Program or activity must address a demonstrated community need, and seek to address at least one of the following community benefit objectives: - improve access - enhance population health - advance generalizable knowledge - relieve government burden to improve health The program or activity must: - primarily benefit the community rather than the organization - result in measurable expense to the organization If the program or activity is provided primarily for marketing purposes, standard practice expected of all hospitals (such as activities required for accreditation, licensure, or to participate in Medicare) or is primarily for employees (not including interns, residents and fellows) and/or affiliated physicians, it is not community benefit. For more information, contact Christy Moore, Manager, Community Health Improvement, at (770) 219-8097 or go to www.nghs.com. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11 | Information for the Form 990 was provided to an independent certified public accountant for preparation of the return. After the return was prepared, it was reviewed by senior financial management. The 990 is made available to members of the board prior to filing. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c | Board members are required to complete a conflict of interest questionnaire annually. Employees attest to their understanding and reporting/disclosure requirements at hire and annually. Compliance is monitored continuously throughout the year by the board. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 | The compensation committee of the Northeast Georgia Health System Board (NGHS Board) has developed and installed compensation policies and procedures that seek to further the purpose of NGHS and affiliates and the importance of these policies to attract and retain key employees. The compensation committee is composed of voting directors who are not employees of NGHS. All decisions of the compensation committee are reviewed and ratified by the NGHS Board. The committee's methodology and approach incorporates both qualitative and quantitative considerations, which are reflected in the committee's determinations concerning key employee compensation and the specific components thereof. The compensation decisions of the committee are described below as to each of the three categories. Base Salary Annual base salaries are set at market competitive levels with healthcare systems of a similar size and complexity from throughout the country. Specifically, the committee considers peer group comparisons from survey data for other health systems, recommendations from an independent compensation consultant, recommendations on ranges and placement from the CEO, and individual performance assessments for each position. In each instance the committee members reach a consensus based on the combination of available information, and the committee sets a base salary level for each key employee. Performance Based Variable Compensation Numerous performance goals are quantitative in nature, resulting in a performance based variable compensation component that is weighted toward attaining NGHS Board-approved goals and objectives. Annual goals and objectives are established through a formal planning process involving board and community members. The board approves these goals and objectives at the beginning of each year. Officers and key employees receive cash awards as a formula driven percentage of base salary levels based on achievement and predetermined individual objectives. Benefits and Retention Programs Benefit categories and amounts are determined by a comparison process similar to determining base salaries with positions and organizations similar to NGHS. Included in benefits are retirement programs to enhance retention and progress toward long-term goals within NGHS' mission. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 | Financial statements and statistics are filed quarterly with Digital Assurance Certification, LLC (DAC Bond). DAC Bond serves as a disclosure dissemination agent for issuers of municipal bonds electronically posting and transmitting information to repositories and investors. All other items are available upon request. |
| Form 990, Part XI, line 9: | Intercompany Forgiveness 7,336,001. Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment -17,796,150. Partnership Income Not on Books -254,699. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |