What is Allina Community Benefit?

Community benefit is a planned, coordinated and measured organizational approach to identify and respond to the health needs of our community.

"As a not-for profit organization, the health of the communities in which we operate is essential to Allina’s mission and strategy," says Penny Wheeler, MD, chief clinical officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics.

Allina's total 2009 investment was nearly $420 million, which is about 15 percent of Allina's total operating expense.

Of that total, $171 million provided community benefits to lessen the health care burden for people in the communities Allina serves. This includes charity care, which is caring for patients who are unable to pay, have no health insurance, or for whom government-sponsored Medicare and Medicaid programs do not cover the full cost of services.

This list gives a snapshot of Allina's community benefit contributions in 2009:

• $45.9 million = Costs in excess of Medicaid payments
• $37.3 million = Minnesota Care Tax
• $29.5 million = Cost providing charity care
• $18.9 million = Medicaid surcharge
• $16 million = Education and workforce development
• $7.4 million = Subsidized health services
• $6.2 million = Community services
• $4.2 million = Cash and in-kind donations
• $4.1 million = Research
• $0.8 million = Other community benefit costs

Allina also tracks other supported community contributions as defined by the Minnesota Hospital Association:

• $152.4 million = Costs in excess of Medicare payments
• $60.1 million = Other care provided without compensation
• $31.5 million = Discounts offered to uninsured patients
• $4.9 million = Taxes and fees