Minnesota\'s Hospitals Provided $3.9 Billion In Community Benefits In 2012

Minnesota's hospitals contributed $3.9 billion in community benefits to the state's 5.4 million residents in 2011, according to data provided by the Minnesota Hospital Association.

A large bulk of that figure consisted of uncompensated care and shortfalls from government payers, which totaled $2.2 billion. The payment shortfalls totaled $1.7 billion and were connected primarily to the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

That total dollar amount of community benefits was about 10% higher than in 2011. That included a 16.9% increase in care provided at a financial loss.

Charity care, which totaled $521 million, is up nearly 10% from 2008, which is when the Great Recession took hold and led to millions losing health insurance coverage nationwide.

“Hospitals and health systems are hopeful that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s insurance coverage requirements, including MNsure, will help stabilize uncompensated care growth as formerly uninsured patients become insured either in state public programs or new commercial health plan options,” said MHA Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Mass

MNSure, the states's health insurance exchange, has enrolled about 117,00 residents so far. That's below the original projections, primarily due to glitches in the exchange's enrollment software.

Another $543 million was devoted to medical research. A total $415.7 million was provided for community health initiatives such as immunization screenings and health fairs. And $406 million was devoted to healthcare workforce development, including the training of doctors and nurses.