Salem Health West Valley

Programs: Salem health west valley is a critical access hospital serving the rural polk county region with a population of 98,000. Services include: diagnostic imaging procedures 19,274, emergency department visits 14,742, inpatient admissions 137, laboratory tests/draws 125,901, surgeries 720.

salem health west valley provides healthcare to people in our community regardless of their ability to pay. In the 12 months ended 6/30/17, the cost of services provided as a community benefit totaled $2,097,883. This figure consisted of $388,577 in costs to provide charity care to individuals who cannot afford to pay and $1,709,306 in underpayment by medicaid as the amount paid under the program was less than the cost to provide the services. Salem health west valley does not pursue legal action for non-payment of bills against charity care patients who have demonstrated that they have neither sufficient income nor assets to meet their financial obligations.

salem health west valley actively participates in community health improvement services. In the 12 months ended 6/30/17, salem health west valley gave $186,557 for unfunded or underfunded health services, including improving access to care through physician recruiting, community health education and prevention programs. The hospital has an active speakers bureau providing free health lectures to community groups. Health screenings, support groups and education classes are offered on an on-going basis. Salem health west valley subsidizes the cost of providing services to the community at a financial loss in the amount of over $1,018,795. Salem health west valley provides cash and in-kind donations to community programs, the largest of which is the connections van which provides transportation services to patients needing medical services.