You were already aware of the IRS requirements in Form 990-H, that non-profits should base their ongoing operational focus on the results of a community needs assessment. We now see this absolutely required in the recently-passed Senate Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It is almost a given that this language will survive into a final bill. Are you prepared?
Allen Allen & Eliot, Inc. has been assisting hospitals with Community Health Needs Analyses since 1995, and can help you.
The PPACA requires all tax-exempt hospitals to do a Community Health Needs Analysis every 3 years, to involve both the public and the major stakeholders of the process of healthcare in that analysis, to make the results available to the public, and to adopt an implementation strategy to meet the identified needs. The IRS will be required to evaluate both your analysis and your strategy of response.
You will need to adopt a systematic, proactive approach to this new requirement.
A properly constructed and conducted Community Health Needs Analysis will not only protect your 501(c)(3) status, but give you real-time strategic and market data not available anywhere else. Your community will tell you what they think of you, and your competition - all you have to do is ask correctly.
Give us a call, or e-mail us today, to discuss how Allen Allen & Eliot, Inc. can work for you.