Christus Health

Programs: Commitment to benefiting our communities christus health was formed in 1999 to strengthen the 152 year-old faith-based health care ministries of the congregations of the sisters of charity of the incarnate word of houston and san antonio. Founded with the mission "to extend the healing ministry of jesus christ," christus health reaches out to, and beyond, the more than 60 communities we serve to help those in need. The vision of christus health as a catholic, faith-based ministry, is to be a leader, a partner and advocate in the creation of innovative health and wellness solutions that improve the lives of individuals and communities so that all may experience god's healing presence and love. Christus health responds to health care needs through services provided in 350 facilities, including 60 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers and dozens of other health ministries and ventures. Christus services are found in 60 cities in texas, arkansas, iowa, louisiana, georgia and new mexico in the u. S. , chihuahua, coahuila, nuevo len, puebla, san luis, potosi and tamaulipas in mexico and in chile. While specific programs and services differ from facility to facility to meet community needs, each of our health care entities has the same objective -- to fulfill our mission of extending the healing ministry of jesus christ, which includes leading the way to a healthier community. Christus health provides various administrative services to the christus regions, including employee benefits, welfare benefits, collection services, computer services, insurance, equipment maintenance and other business office services. Combined, the christus health service area comprises a population of approximately 13,500,000. In fiscal year 2017 alone, we were privileged to serve many members of our communities in various ways, including 1,056,123 visits to our emergency departments; 67,319 inpatient surgery procedures; 111,384 outpatient surgery procedures; 224,194 patients admitted to our hospitals for care; and 2,721,916 patients who received outpatient care at our facilities. Touching the lives of the people around us is what makes christus health stand apart. Allowing others to touch us gives christus health a vision for the medically needy in each of the communities we serve. Whether it is the life of a child expecting a future filled with miracles, the life of a man in need of a critical heart surgery, or the life of a woman about to give birth, christus health's hospitals, clinics and various other health care services provide the best care possible regardless of an individual's ability to pay. By collaborating with communities, churches, businesses and other health care organizations, christus health's various entities have strengthened their roles as major providers of comprehensive and accessible health care services. These partnerships within the community have been a blessing by helping christus care for those in need. Furthermore, investment in community services would not be possible without our dedicated employees and volunteers. They help to build strong relationships between the hospitals and other health care ministries and the communities, nurturing christus' mission to meet the needs of and make a difference in the lives of others. Our employees work both inside and outside the walls of our health care facilities and are committed to reaching beyond the traditional hospital walls to help our communities maintain good health. Understanding the need to provide access to health care to as much of our public as possible, christus health participates in government-sponsored health care programs including medicaid, medicare, champus, tricare and others. In addition, we offer specific programs to provide a discount on important services provided to those in need who do not have medical insurance or who do not participate in government-sponsored programs. Christus health provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We conduct our activities and provide health care without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, orientation, disability, age or national origin. Particular health care services vary by market and are based on the needs of each particular community. Our services range from the most sophisticated research and breakthrough medical technology services to much-needed primary care. Each of our acute care hospitals provides an emergency room that is open to serve all those in need of emergent care, regardless of their ability to pay. Christus also supports many local community health services. In addition, many of our hospitals are engaged in research and clinical trials to advance care and provide cures for certain diseases, and some christus hospitals host graduate medical education programs that train future health care providers and leaders including nurses, physicians and various allied health professionals. As a not-for-profit organization, a governing board comprised largely of independent professionals who help shape the strategies and policies of our health system guides christus health. In addition, a board of independent community members representing the area we serve governs each of our health care entities. We are privileged to have open medical staffs in each of our hospitals and clinics comprised of qualified physicians who work with us to provide care to our communities. All qualified physicians who are granted privileges to serve in our hospitals must undergo a thorough and comprehensive credentialing process.

other government services in addition to the provision of charity care and other community services, christus health provides services to persons covered under government-sponsored programs including medicare, department of defense (dod) and tricare. The unreimbursed costs of these services are reported to the state of texas but are not included in reports prepared following catholic health association guidelines. Christus health provides services to persons covered under the federal medicare program, and in fact, this is the largest single payor classification of patients served by this health system. The payment rate for inpatient services is on a per-case rate, calculated based on the diagnostic-related group (drg) into which the patient is categorized. Outpatient services are reimbursed by medicare based on their fee schedule. Christus health dba us family health plan also provides the uniform medical benefit for approximately 15,000 military family members under contract with the dod. Under this program, comprehensive medical services are provided to families of active duty military personnel and to retirees and their families in all age categories including those over age 65. Christus health also participates in the tricare standard program, and many of our hospitals contract with the managed care support contractor for the south region to provide services under the provision of tricare prime.

community services for the broader community the greatest share of these expenses is for educating health professionals. Helping to prepare future health care professionals is a distinguishing characteristic of not-for-profit health care and constitutes a significant community benefit. Christus health also used cash donations as a vehicle to help our communities. We made cash donations in addition to grants awarded through the christus fund to support causes like the fight against cancer, provision of a continuum of care for the elderly and those with hiv/aids and for many other equally worthy purposes. During fy 2017, christus health advocated for improving public policies, working to establish, and in some instances augment, grassroots advocacy and greater access to health care services for the constituents we serve.