— in expenses
It is recognized that not all individuals possess the ability to purchase essential medical services. Further, we believe our purpose is to serve the community by providing healthcare services and education. Therefore, in keeping with our commitment to serving all members of the community, we provide:- free care and/or subsidized care- care to persons covered by governmental programs below cost- health activities and programs free-of-charge to the communitythe activities include wellness programs, community education programs, and special programs for the elderly, handicapped, and medically underserved.LMH served 7,667 inpatients and 825 newborns for a total of 31,305 patient days and provided services to 391,537 outpatients in 2024.additionally, LMH provides care to persons covered by governmental programs, below cost in many cases. To the extent reimbursement is below charges, LMH considers these amounts to be contractual adjustments, which will never be collected. The unreimbursed value of providing care to these patients amounted to $562,193,000 in 2024.uncompensated care is provided through many reduced-price services and free programs offered throughout the year based upon activities and services LMH believes will serve a bona fide community health need. The hospital routinely provides uncompensated care to patients who are unwilling or unable to pay their hospital bills. In 2024, LMH wrote off charges of approximately $33,028,000 in bad debts and $7,574,000 in charity care.LMHP provides healthcare services without regard to a patient's race, creed, gender, disability, ethnicity, age, religion, citizenship, national origin or sources of payment for care. Although reimbursement for services rendered is critical to the operation and stability of LMHP, it is recognized that not all individuals possess the ability to purchase essential medical services. Further, we believe our role is to serve all members of the community with respect to providing healthcare services and education. Therefore, in keeping with that commitment to serve all members of the community, we provided the community services and educational programs noted on the following pages, many of which were free of charge.additionally, LMHP provides care to persons covered by governmental programs, below cost in many cases. To the extent reimbursement is below charges, LMHP considers these amounts to be contractual adjustments, which will never be collected. The unreimbursed value of providing care to these patients amounted to $34,994,000 in charges in 2024.uncompensated care is provided through many reduced priced services and free programs offered throughout the year based upon activities and services LMHP believes will serve a bona fide community health need. LMHP routinely provides uncompensated care to patients who are unwilling or unable to pay their bills. In 2024, LMHP wrote off charges of approximately $4,397,000 of charges in bad debts and $769,000 of charges in charity care.