Florida Hospital invests $508 million in metro Orlando

Florida Hospital released its annual Community Benefit Report, which details the contributions the organization made in Central Florida through charity care, health research and its support of local charitable organizations.

In 2017, Florida Hospital provided $508 million in community benefit in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, $55 million more than in 2016.

When faith-based care, capital investments and other benefits are also added, Florida Hospital's total impact in Central Florida surpassed $830 million last year.

Other items detailed in the 2017 annual report:

• $166 million in charity care
• $15 million in cash and in-kind contributions
• $23 million in community health services
• $251 million in unpaid costs absorbed by the hospital from Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls
• 197,173 unique Medicaid and uninsured patients served

'For more than 100 years, we've been committed to providing our patients and entire community with care that is focused on the whole person ' mind, body and spirit,' said Daryl Tol, president and CEO of Florida Hospital and Central Florida Division ' Adventist Health System. 'Partnering with local organizations that share this commitment is key to bringing care and services to those who need it most, and to achieving our goal of making our community one of the healthiest in the nation.'

Items in the Community Benefit Report also include projects funded by the Community Health Impact Council, also known as CHIC. CHIC's primary goal is to address the needs of targeted populations, including the underserved and uninsured, while reducing preventable medical costs and increasing the overall health of the community. The CHIC board, comprised of local business and nonprofit executives, helps determines how and to whom Florida Hospital's funding will be allocated in the community. (To learn more, visit floridahospitalcares.org.)

The nonprofit Community Health Centers, which provides health care to uninsured, under-insured and under-served Central Floridians, received a CHIC grant for a project that monitors and ensures continuity of care for high-risk patients.

'It is an honor to partner with Florida Hospital on this initiative that connects patients directly in the hospital, identifying their medical needs and barriers to care, providing a seamless pathway into a primary care home,' said Margaret Brennan, president and CEO of Community Health Centers. 'With locations throughout Central Florida, this project will make a significant impact in our communities, offering an array of comprehensive medical services including pediatric and adult primary care, dental care, obstetrics and gynecology, optometry, behavioral health, chronic care management, on-site laboratory and pharmacy services.'