C H Wilkinson Physician Network

C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK EXTENDS THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST BY PROVIDING A RANGE OF QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES IN CONFORMITY WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

COMMITMENT TO BENEFITING OUR COMMUNITIES - PATIENT CARE SERVICES C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK IS PART OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, WHICH FORMED IN 1999 TO STRENGTHEN THE 153-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 IS CHALLENGED TO REACH OUT TO, AND BEYOND, THE MORE THAN 60 COMMUNITIES WE SERVE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. THE VISION OF C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK, AS A CATHOLIC, FAITH-BASED 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. C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK RESPONDS TO HEALTH CARE NEEDS THROUGH SERVICES PROVIDED AT NUMEROUS HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, AS WELL AS DOZENS OF HEALTH CARE CLINICS, PHYSICIANS' OFFICES, OUTPATIENT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. ALTHOUGH PROGRAMS MAY DIFFER FROM FACILITY TO FACILITY, 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. C. H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK OPERATES UNDER THE NAME OF CHRISTUS PROVIDER NETWORK AS A FAITH-BASED PHYSICIAN EMPLOYMENT AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION EMPLOYING FAMILY PRACTICE, PEDIATRIC AND OBSTETRICAL/GYNECOLOGICAL PHYSICIANS, INTENSIVISTS, SPECIALISTS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ALONE, WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE MANY INDIVIDUALS IN VARIOUS WAYS, INCLUDING MORE THAN 500,000 PATIENTS THROUGHOUT OUR CLINICS IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. TOUCHING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AROUND US IS WHAT MAKES C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK STAND APART. ALLOWING OTHERS TO TOUCH US GIVES US 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 TO HER FIRST CHILD, C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES WORK TO 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, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN A BLESSING BY HELPING C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK FURTHER CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED. FURTHERMORE, INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICES WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT 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 PUBLICS 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 DISCOUNTED SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE OR WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS. C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. IT CONDUCTS ITS ACTIVITIES AND SERVES ITS HEALTH CARE PURPOSE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, GENDER, ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK SUPPORTS MANY LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES BY OPERATING PRIMARY CARE, SPECIALTY CLINICS AND RURAL HEALTH CLINICS. AS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK SHARES THE DEEP-ROOTED MISSION OF EXTENDING THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST. THE FOCUS OF C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK'S CLINICS IS ON DELIVERING EXCELLENT, SERVICE-ORIENTED HEALTH CARE IN A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT. THE FOUNDATION OF C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK'S CARE IS PRIMARY CARE AND FAMILY MEDICINE, WHICH PROVIDES CONTINUING AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES--FROM INFANTS TO THE ELDERLY--FOR ALL MEDICAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF DISEASES SUCH AS DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS. C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN CHRISTUS HEALTH'S DELIVERY NETWORK TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION OF PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO ALL OF ITS COMMUNITY MEMBERS. C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK CLINICS ARE THE ACCESS POINT TO PRIMARY CARE HEALTH SERVICES, AND IN MANY AREAS, ASSURE THAT THE CHRISTUS VISION OF CREATING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES IS FULFILLED. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND AS PART OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, A PHYSICIAN GOVERNING BOARD COMPRISED SOLELY OF LICENSED PHYSICIANS WHO REPRESENT THE AREAS WE SERVE GUIDES C.H. WILKINSON PHYSICIAN NETWORK. WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE A MEDICAL STAFF COMPRISED OF QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WHO WORK WITH US TO PROVIDE CARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WHO ARE GRANTED PRIVILEGES TO SERVE WITH US MUST UNDERGO A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE CREDENTIALING PROCESS.

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, 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 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 BENEFIT REPORTING - CHARITY CARE AND MEDICAID CHRISTUS ADHERES TO THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S A GUIDE FOR PLANNING AND REPORTING COMMUNITY BENEFIT (2008), 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. THIS FALLS INTO TWO CATEGORIES: CHARITY CARE AND UNPAID GOVERNMENT INDIGENT CARE. IN KEEPING WITH THE MISSION, VALUES, AND VISION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, CHRISTUS HEALTH PROVIDES CHARITY CARE SERVICES IN A MANNER THAT RESPECTS THE DIGNITY OF THE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. CHARITY CARE IS PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT A CHARGE THAT IS LESS THAN THE USUAL CHARGE FOR SUCH SERVICES. THE DETERMINATION AS TO THE AMOUNT TO BE CHARGED, IF ANY, IS MADE ACCORDING TO A PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY AS DETERMINED BY THE ESTABLISHED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS WHOSE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES PLACE THEM AT OR UNDER 200 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL), SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION OF PAYMENT. UNINSURED PATIENTS, WHOSE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES PLACE THEM BETWEEN 200 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. 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.