News Release: April 16, 2008

Presbyterian Healthcare Services announced today it provided more than $24.9 million in free medical care in 2008 to patients unable to pay for their medical services. In 2008, Presbyterian also provided an additional $52 million in uncompensated care to patients where reimbursement is generally less than the cost of rendering the services.

Charity and uncompensated care figures are cited at the cost of care.

“Now more than ever, we know that families in New Mexico are feeling the extra burden during this stressful economic time and that they have new concerns, including paying for healthcare services,” said Jim Hinton, president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. “As a not-for-profit healthcare system, providing free care to patients who can’t afford is at the core of our service to New Mexico.”

Presbyterian provides free medically necessary services for patients with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Presbyterian also provides sliding-scale discounts on medically necessary services for patients with income between 200 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

In addition, Presbyterian provides a 15 percent discount on billed charges for self-pay patients without 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.

We also invite you to view Presbyterian's Annuel Report to the Community here.