When we introduced our STEP (Sensitive Times Economic Program) a few months ago, we knew we were doing a very good thing for our community.  We knew that we were (and are) in the middle of very tough economic times.  Rather than waiting for a governmental solution to health care, KHC stepped up to the plate by making it possible for our communities to avoid missing or putting off necessary health care for financial reasons.

We also broke typical health care patient financial service traditions by aggressively marketing our financial assistance program to our communities.  We also implemented a web-based application process, where patients can confidentially apply for financial assistance on our website (http://knoxvillehospital.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=104).  Traditional health care financial assistance programs tend to be “hidden” in the back business office, can be difficult to access, and confusing to patients.

To support this marketing initiative, we have wonderful people working at KHC to help our patients navigate through the process.  Our excellent customer service team of Amy Vroegh, Lynda Graves, Stacey Hall, Carol Kozak, and Liz Mitchell are lead by Nancy Swim and Holly Johnson.  They do a wonderful job of working with our patients and helping them with their financial assistance applications, insurance, and various billing/collection concerns.  As with anything, the success of a program is only as good as the people that work with it on a daily basis – and we are very fortunate to have a great team doing this.

Now for the great news!  During the first three months (May-July 2009) that STEP has been in existence, we have been able to help 37 families with their hospital/clinic bills.  These 37 families have received financial assistance from KHC totaling $74,475!!  This averages out to a little over $2,000 per family!  Given these tough economic times, we know that this is very important to these family’s household budgets and we feel very fortunate to be able to help them!

One of the great components of the STEP program is that these 37 families only have to apply for financial assistance one time per year.  This component is a very important part of the program, in that it allows these families to fully utilize any and all KHC providers and services without having to worry about the financial consequences.

In summary, many thanks to our great staff that is involved in making the STEP program a success and modeling our “Committed to You!” approach on a daily basis!  We hope that this program continues to grow and that we will be able to help many more families in the future!

We recently visited with Steve Woodhouse (editor of the Knoxville Journal Express) to discuss various health care issues.  We appreciate Steve taking the time that he did researching the many issues that currently surround health care.  We also appreciate Steve devoting an entire page of his newspaper to this topic.

With health care and health care reform in the forefront of much of the news these days, it is very important to be as informed as possible about the myriad of issues.  Steve did a great job of taking the time to try to understand the issues as well as talk with some of the leaders of his local hospital.

There are many opinions, thoughts, plans and ideas out there these days for health care and health care reform.  I attempt to strongly urge any and all politicians that I have contact with to go visit with their local hospital administrative teams, as Steve did.  We appreciate Steve and the fine work that he did in researching and publishing the below article.

http://www.journalexpress.net/features/local_story_183151851.html?keyword=topstory

The Iowa Hospital Association has developed a blog to help us stay abreast of health care reform issues that affect us.  The following is an exerpt from the IHA Federal Report, which can be read in its entirety at www.ihaonline.org:

“IHA is interested in what people have to say about the ongoing debate in Washington on health care reform. 

Because the information about reform has been coming in a deluge, IHA is also posting up-to-date information on the IHA Policy Blog to help hospital advocates and others stay on top of the issues.  

Just this week, IHA posted its “Health Care Reform Principles” outlining recommendations from the hospital perspective that Congress should consider while working on health care reform legislation this year. 

As part of the new social media ventures that IHA is undertaking, readers are encouraged to not only read the blog, but also provide comments, alternatives, suggestions or other insight onto the topics.

 IHA is looking forward to hearing from hospital advocates, leaders and other citizens of the blogosphere as the health care reform debate continues to heat up.”

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics understands that these are tough economic times for everyone.  As a committed member of the community, we have implemented our new – “Sensitive Times Economic Program” (STEP) for all healthcare services received at the hospital and our clinics.

Step makes it possible for you to avoid having to miss important doctor visits and put off necessary healthcare. 

You will receive the same outstanding, quality care that Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is known for, while receiving a discount on your patient portion of our bill.

- STEP qualifications are simple -
Individuals earning an annual gross income of less than $32,490
Families of 4 earning an annual gross income of less than $66,150

Join us in taking a STEP in the right direction
by contacting our Customer Service Department
at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics
(641) 842-1423 or (641) 842-1410
for information regarding the STEP application process

Same day appointments are always available at ALL Knoxville
Hospital & Clinics locations.

Don’t Put Off Your Healthcare… We Are Here…
Committed to You… During These Tough Economic Times!

GOAL: We will meet the targets set in the KH&C Strategic Financial Plan.
MEASUREMENT: All indicators are noted in the Strategic Financial Plan.

OBJECTIVES

• Continue to improve and streamline billing and admitting processes
• Increase and maximize net revenue to meet or exceed projections in the financial plan
• Improve non-operating income
• Improve cash flow
• Control expenses