Community Health Needs Assessment for 501(c)(3) Hospitals

Colorado STRIDES assists rural nonprofit hospitals meet the new IRS requirements for a Community Health Needs Assessment with this program by providing a complete package of services and technical assistance to gather input from the communities they serve. Specifically, this assessment gathers and provides a community forum for discussing the economic impact of healthcare on the service area, hospital utilization, official health and health outcomes data, and the population’s perceptions of their health and healthcare needs and concerns. This data, in turn, assists hospital leadership with meeting IRS tax filing requirements for nonprofits, making decisions, planning strategically, and partnering with community members to build synergies that enhance the healthcare – and health – in their medical service area. At each step, the value the hospital adds to the community is spotlighted, making this process a valuable public relations tool as well.

This 4-meeting process offers the hospital a valuable service and a number of valuable products, including:

• Technical assistance and expertise throughout the process
• Meeting facilitation
• Focus group facilitation, if appropriate
• Agendas & PowerPoint presentations for each meeting
• Assistance with creating Hospital Services and Community Benefits Summary
• Community Health Survey Questionnaire
• Assistance with drafting hospital’s response to community input
• Press releases associated with each meeting
• Assistance with Hospital Services and Community Benefits Summary
• Demographic and Economic Data Reports
• Report on Economic Impact of Hospital
• Health Indicator and Health Outcome Data Report
• Community Health Survey Questionnaire
• Community Health Survey Questionnaire Summary
• SWOT Analysis

While this process, which is based on a national model developed by the National Center for Rural Health Works, can be tailored to some degree by the hospital, the four meetings are generally held four to six weeks apart. The strength of this approach lies in the close collaboration between Colorado STRIDES and the local hospital. In addition to meeting IRS requirements, we work with hospitals each step of the way to nurture relationships with other healthcare providers, organizations, and residents within the medical service area; to explore public relations opportunities; and to underscore the value of the hospital to the community.

Costs of services vary, depending on services requested, population, size and geography of community, and scholarship availability.

To invite Colorado STRIDES to facilitate a Community Health Needs Assessment for your 501c3 hospital, click here.

Resources for 501(c)(3) Hospitals

• PPACA Requirements Associated with Financial, Billing, and Collecting Policies (PDF)
• STRIDES Program Flyer

Contact

Please contact Clint Cresawn at 720.248.2745, or ccr@coruralhealth.org for any Colorado STRIDES questions.

Colorado STRIDES was developed in partnership with the Colorado AHEC System and is funded though The Colorado Health Foundation.