News Release: June 1, 2010

Presbyterian Healthcare Services announced today it provided more than $20 million in free medical care in 2009 to patients unable to afford their medical services. Presbyterian also gave an additional $42 million in medical care where the payment received was less than the cost of the service provided.

These figures are at the cost of providing services.

“As a not-for-profit healthcare system, more than ever before, providing necessary care to patients who can’t afford it is at the core of our service to New Mexico,” said Jim Hinton, president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

Presbyterian provides free medically necessary services for patients at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and also provides sliding-scale discounts on medically necessary services for patients with incomes between 200 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Additionally, Presbyterian provides a 25 percent discount on billed charges for self-pay patients who do not have health insurance.

Presbyterian commits significant time and resources to critical services that meet unfilled community needs. Many of these activities are sponsored with the knowledge that they will not be self-supporting or financially viable. Such programs include health screenings, cancer support groups, hospice programs, free transportation, funding for homeless healthcare programs and free flu vaccines.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities we serve. Presbyterian was founded in New Mexico in 1908, and is the state’s only private, not-for-profit healthcare system and its largest provider of care. Presbyterian offers eight hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Presbyterian is the second largest private employer in New Mexico with more than 9,000 respected employees and growing.