Published on November 11, 2011

Mary Greeley Medical Center’s Community Benefit Impact Tops $20 Million

AMES, IA – Mary Greeley Medical Center provides more than $22 million in community benefits to Ames, Story County and central Iowa residents, according to a study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). 

The amount, based on 2010 statistics, includes a variety of free or discounted health services and programs, in-kind gifts, charity care, bad debt and unpaid costs for Medicaid and Medicare. In 2010, Mary Greeley Medical Center provided:

• $10.4 million in subsidized health services, including emergency and trauma services, and women’s and children’s health services including expectant parent classes and lactation consultations
• $1.8 million in charity care
• $1.7 million in health screenings, support groups and other community health care education programs and support services including the Speaking of Health programs, the annual Heart Symposium and volunteer medical support for such events as the Iowa Games and Iowa Special Olympics

“This level of community impact demonstrates Mary Greeley Medical Center’s commitment to improving the health of central Iowans,” says Brian Dieter, President and CEO. “We’re able to provide these programs and services thanks to smart fiscal management, the dedication of our medical staff and the generosity of our donors.”

The IHA report shows Iowa hospitals provided community benefits in 2010 valued at more than $1.3 billion. All 118 of Iowa’s community hospitals participated in the survey. Total uncompensated care in 2010, including charity care and bad debt, was valued at more than $850 million, an increase of $54 million (6.8 percent) over 2009. 

Meanwhile, Medicare and Medicaid, which represent about 60 percent of all hospital revenue in Iowa, created approximately $259 million in losses for the state’s hospitals during 2010. 

Mary Greeley Medical Center also had $5.2 million in unpaid Medicare and Medicaid costs, and $2.4 million in bad debt.