What is a hospital community benefit?

In Connecticut, a hospital community benefit is any voluntary program or activity by a hospital to:

• Promote preventive health care
• Protect health and safety
• Improve health equity and reduce health disparities
• Reduce the cost and economic burden of poor health
• Improve health for all populations in the hospital’s service areas

Examples include:

• Providing free or discounted care: This may include services for uninsured or underinsured patients, health screenings, and educational programs.
• Addressing health disparities: Hospitals may focus on specific populations facing health challenges, such as low-income families, minorities, or the elderly.
• Partnering with community organizations: Hospitals collaborate with local groups to address broader health concerns, like promoting healthy lifestyles or preventing chronic diseases.

Hospitals provide these programs to:

• Help create a healthier environment for everyone in Connecticut
• Maintain non-profit status by fulfilling their charitable mission

All for-profit and nonprofit hospitals report their community benefit activities to the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) every year. This encourages hospitals to prioritize community needs.