September 2024

Community Benefit 101
Oct. 15-17, 2024
2 to 5 p.m. ET each day

Join CHA and leaders from the Catholic health ministry for a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of community benefit, including:

• Accurately counting and reporting community benefit efforts.
• Developing community health improvement strategies focused on equity and partnerships.
• Meeting 501(r) requirements for community health needs assessments and implementation strategies.

Popular Resources

Catholic Health Care Community Benefit Fact Sheet, 2024 

Community Benefit Categories Reference Guide 

Featured Question from the What Counts Hotline
Screening for Social Needs

Screening for social needs will be required for all adult patients ages 18-64 beginning January 2024. What costs related to screening and referrals may be reported as community benefit? 

Recommendation: We recommend that expenses related to screening of social needs and referrals for identified social needs be reported as community benefit. 
The 2023 IRS instructions for community health improvement services (reported on Schedule H, Part I, line 7e) were updated by the IRS to include language that activities not be reported as community health improvement services if they are required for licensure or accreditation, "except when responding to a community health need, enhancing public health, or relieving the burden of government to improve health." 

Note: The information provided above does not constitute legal or tax advice. The information is provided for informational/educational purposes only. Please consult with counsel regarding your organization's particular circumstances. 

Quick Links for What Counts

What Counts Q&A: Health Care Support Services 
Screening and Referrals for Health-Related Social Needs 
Community Benefit Accounting Resources

Community Health Improvement in Action
Featured Stories from the Catholic Health Ministry

CHRISTUS hospital joins with nonprofit to offer remote food locker for people in need 

SSM Health uses screenings to connect maternal care patients to social services 

How Local Partnerships Can Improve Maternal and Infant Health, Address Structural Barriers 

Find additional articles on community benefit news and programs from across the ministry in Catholic Health World and Health Progress.

What We Are Reading

Community Benefit and Tax Exemption 

Reimagining Charity Care |HFMA, April 2024 (login required) 

The importance of a hospital community benefit policy | Crowe, July 2024 

Andrew Donahue: An open letter to Congress on nonprofit hospital finances | HFMA, April 2024 (login required) 

Community Health Improvement 

Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents |U.S. Public Health Service, August 2024 

Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory 2024 | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investment: 2024 Update | Build Healthy Places Network 

Health Equity 

CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022-2032 | Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services 

Disparities Impact Statement | CMS Office of Minority Health, August 2024 

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