Christus Health Central Louisiana

SUPPORTING THE HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES OF THE SPONSORING CONGREGATIONS IN EXTENDING THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST IN COMFORMITY WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

COMMITMENT TO BENEFITING OUR COMMUNITIES - PATIENT CARE SERVICES CHRISTUS HEALTH WAS FORMED IN 1999 WHEN THE SISTERS OF CHARITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD OF HOUSTON, AND THE INCARNATE WORD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD OF SAN ANTONIO, BROUGHT THEIR HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES TOGETHER. IN 2016 ANOTHER SPONSORING CONGREGATION, THE SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, WAS ADDED. BISHOP CLAUDE MARIE DUBIS FOUNDED BOTH CONGREGATIONS 150 YEARS AGO, AND HIS ORIGINAL CALL TO THE SISTERS CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE CHRISTUS HEALTH TO FULFILL ITS MISSION OF EXTENDING THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO REACH OUT TO THOSE IN NEED IN THE MORE THAN 60 COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. THE VISION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, A CATHOLIC, FAITH-BASED HEALTH MINISTRY, IS TO BE A LEADER, A PARTNER AND AN 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. THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA REGION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS THROUGH SERVICES PROVIDED AT CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL IN ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, A 293-BED FACILITY; AND CHRISTUS COUSHATTA HEALTH CARE CENTER IN COUSHATTA, LOUISIANA, A 25-BED, CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL. CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA ALSO OWNS PARTS OF CHRISTUS CABRINI SURGERY CENTER, LLC, CHRISTUS DUBUIS HOSPITAL OF ALEXANDRIA; CHRISTUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ST. FRANCES CABRINI; AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA SURGICAL HOSPITAL. EACH FACILITY IN THIS REGION SHARES THE ONE OBJECTIVE OF LEADING THE WAY TOWARD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES. CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL SERVES RAPIDES AND NINE SURROUNDING CIVIL PARISHES, WHICH HAVE A TOTAL POPULATION OF MORE THAN 375,000, OF WHICH MORE THAN 18.7 PERCENT LIVE AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. IN FY 2021 ALONE, THE HOSPITAL ADMITTED 11,126 PATIENTS AND TREATED 168,375 PATIENTS IN ITS OUTPATIENT FACILITIES. THE HOSPITAL PERFORMED 2,107 INPATIENT SURGERIES AND 2,582 OUTPATIENT SURGERIES. IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL PROVIDED EMERGENCY SERVICES TO 45,682 INDIVIDUALS. CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI IS CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S LEADER IN CARDIAC SERVICES, OFFERING A COMPLETE RANGE OF CARDIAC DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES INCLUDING CTA, CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY. THE HOSPITAL ALSO HOUSES THE REGION'S ONLY PEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTER. CHRISTUS CABRINI CANCER CENTER OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE IN A HOSPITAL SETTING. PROTOCOLS FROM MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND FROM THE TULANE UNIVERSITY CANCER CENTER ARE AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS. CHRISTUS COUSHATTA HEALTH CARE CENTER IS LOCATED IN RED RIVER PARISH, ECONOMICALLY THE POOREST IN LOUISIANA. IN FY 2021, THE HOSPITAL ADMITTED 536 PATIENTS AND TREATED 21,507 PATIENTS IN ITS OUTPATIENT FACILITIES. IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL PROVIDED EMERGENCY SERVICES TO 4,972 INDIVIDUALS. THIS HOSPITAL OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDING MINOR SURGERY; DAY SURGERY; CARDIOLOGY; DIABETES CARE; RESPIRATORY THERAPY; RADIOLOGY; PHYSICAL THERAPY; ONCOLOGY; GYNECOLOGY; EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT SERVICES; OPHTHALMOLOGY; HEMATOLOGY; INFUSION THERAPY; AND ADULT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DESIGNATED CHRISTUS COUSHATTA HEALTH CARE CENTER A CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL DUE TO THE STRATEGIC LOCATION OF ITS EMERGENCY ROOM, WHICH REDUCES THE TRANSPORTATION TIME PATIENTS WOULD HAVE TO SPEND TRAVELING TO NATCHITOCHES OR SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, FOR TREATMENT. BOTH CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL AND CHRISTUS COUSHATTA HEALTH CARE CENTER PROVIDE 24-HOUR EMERGENCY ROOMS OPEN TO ALL NEEDING EMERGENT CARE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THE CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA REGION ALSO SPONSORS MANY LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. THESE INCLUDE 17 SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN FIVE CIVIL PARISHES AROUND CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL, A DENTAL CLINIC AT CHRISTUS COUSHATTA HEALTH CARE CENTER, AND RURAL HEALTH CLINICS IN RINGGOLD AND COUSHATTA. AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND AS PART OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, A REGIONAL GOVERNING BOARD COMPRISED LARGELY OF INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HELPS GOVERN CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE REGION HAS AN OPEN MEDICAL STAFF COMPRISED OF QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WHO WORK WITH ITS THREE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE CARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. THESE PHYSICIANS RECEIVE THEIR PRIVILEGES ONLY AFTER A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE CREDENTIALING PROCESS. TOUCHING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE HELPS CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA STAND APART AND PROVIDES FURTHER MOTIVATION TO SERVE THE MEDICALLY NEEDY IN ALL OF THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING ITS THREE FACILITIES. WHETHER THE ISSUE IS THE LIFE OF A CHILD HOPING FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE, THE LIFE OF A MAN IN NEED OF A CRITICAL HEART SURGERY, OR THE LIFE OF A WOMAN ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO HER FIRST CHILD, CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES WORK TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE REGARDLESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO PAY. MOREOVER, THE CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA PROVIDES ITS SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE, OR NATIONALITY. THE THREE HIGHEST COST COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL ARE 1) SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS (SBHC), WHICH PROVIDE PRIMARY/PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS LOCATED IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE SBHC'S PROVIDE A UNIQUE BLEND OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION SERVICES; 2) ELIGIBILITY VENDORS WHICH ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH ENROLLMENT IN PUBLIC PROGRAMS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES. THEY PROVIDE EDUCATION AND ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE TO THE UNINSURED POPULATION IDENTIFIED AT THE HOSPITAL; 3) CABRINI CLINICAL NURSES AND NURSE SUPERVISORS PROVIDE SUPERVISION, MENTORING, AND PRECEPTING AND ROTATION OF LSU-A NURSING STUDENTS FOR THEIR CLINICAL STUDIES. BY COLLABORATING WITH CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, COMMUNITIES AND OTHER HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS, CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S THREE FACILITIES HAVE STRENGTHENED THEIR ROLES AS MAJOR PROVIDERS OF COMPREHENSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE SERVICES. THESE PARTNERSHIPS HAVE EXTENDED THE REGION'S CAPACITY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF THE FACILITIES' DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO REGULARLY REACH BEYOND TRADITIONAL WALLS TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES BECOME HEALTHIER. THESE ACTIVITIES FOSTER STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND THEREBY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MISSION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH. FURTHERMORE, TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, CHRISTUS HEALTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA PARTICIPATES IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, SUCH AS MEDICAID, MEDICARE, CHAMPUS, AND TRICARE. IN ADDITION, THE REGION PROVIDES DISCOUNTED SERVICES TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE OR WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS.

OTHER GOVERNMENT SPONSORED 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 AND TRICARE. THE NON-REIMBURSED COSTS OF THESE SERVICES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN REPORTS PREPARED FOLLOWING CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES. CHRISTUS HEATH 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 PER CASE, CALCULATED BASED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC-RELATED GROUP (DRG) INTO WHICH THE PATIENT IS CATEGORIZED. OUTPATIENT SERVICES ARE REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE BASED ON ITS FEE SCHEDULE. 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 BENEFIT REPORTING - CHARITY CARE AND MEDICAID CHRISTUS ADHERES TO THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S GUIDE FOR PLANNING AND REPORTING COMMUNITY BENEFIT (2016) AND COMPLIES WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING. COMMUNITY BENEFIT, REPORTED AS UNPAID COSTS, INCLUDES BOTH CHARITY CARE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. TO THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES, CHRISTUS HEALTH IS AN INSTITUTION OF PURELY PUBLIC CHARITY; THUS, THE MOST TANGIBLE EXPRESSION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE IS THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY. CHARITY CARE FALLS INTO TWO CATEGORIES: CHARITY CARE AND UNPAID GOVERNMENT INDIGENT CARE. IN KEEPING WITH THE MISSION, VALUES, AND VISION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CHARITY CARE SERVICES IN A MANNER THAT RESPECTS THE DIGNITY OF THE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. CHARITY CARE IS DEFINED AS SERVICES PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT A CHARGE LESS THAN THE USUAL CHARGE FOR SUCH SERVICES. THE DETERMINATION AS TO THE AMOUNT OF THE CHARGE, IF ANY, IS ACCORDING TO A PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY AS DETERMINED BY ESTABLISHED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS WHOSE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES PLACE THEM AT OR UNDER 300 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL), SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION OF PAYMENT. UNINSURED PATIENTS WHOSE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES PLACE THEM BETWEEN 300 AND 400 PERCENT OF FPL ARE CHARGED BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE, AND THOSE ABOVE 400 PERCENT RECEIVE DISCOUNTS BASED ON THE UNINSURED FEE SCHEDULE. NO PATIENT IS REFUSED NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY. CHRISTUS HEALTH IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE STATES OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA MEDICAID PROGRAMS. THOSE PROGRAMS SEEK TO PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE EVALUATION OF BOTH ASSETS AND INCOME.