In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, Community Health Needs Assessments are essential for hospital systems aiming to understand and improve community health. At inHealth, we recognize that CHNAs serve both IRS compliance and the goal of fostering community wellbeing. That’s why we offer comprehensive CHNA services that maximize community impact through data-driven insights and collaborative approaches.
The Importance of CHNAs
CHNAs are critical tools for nonprofit hospitals, especially with the IRS ramping up enforcement efforts in 2024 around compliance with Section 501(r). The IRS is focusing on four key areas: community benefit compliance, financial assistance policies, billing practices, and limitations on charges. Ensuring your CHNA meets regulatory and community-focused goals is vital for your organization to avoid excise taxes, reputational harm, or even loss of tax-exempt status.
Why CHNA Compliance Matters
Noncompliance with IRS requirements can lead to significant penalties, including a $50,000 excise tax. inHealth is dedicated to guiding hospitals through these complexities, ensuring that your CHNA not only meets triennial compliance but also reflects real community impact, aligning your hospital’s strategies with public health goals.
How inHealth Can Support Your Mission
Data-Driven Insights
We provide a comprehensive understanding of your community’s health needs through a blend of quantitative and qualitative data. By identifying health disparities, we empower your team to make informed decisions that enhance population health management. This ensures alignment with the IRS’s focus on transparency and actual community benefit.
Action-Oriented Recommendations
Our CHNA services go beyond data collection; we offer clear, evidence-based strategies to help you address health disparities and improve outcomes. These strategies are designed to comply with IRS requirements while ensuring alignment with your hospital’s mission of community wellness.
Upholding Human Dignity and Social Justice
For Catholic hospital systems, our CHNA process reflects Catholic Social Teaching, prioritizing human dignity and social justice. We focus on the needs of vulnerable populations, aligning our efforts with your commitment to compassionate care. This approach not only satisfies the IRS’s heightened scrutiny but also ensures your community benefit compliance (501(r)(3)) aligns with your mission.
A Collaborative Approach
We believe in the power of local collaboration. Our team works closely with public health departments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, and community members to ensure that the CHNA reflects diverse voices and perspectives. This collaborative effort not only enhances the assessment but also fosters community solidarity—key elements for meeting IRS community benefit expectations.
Expert Guidance on IRS Compliance
At inHealth, we believe compliance is just the beginning—use it as an opportunity to drive meaningful, mission-focused change. Our expertise ensures that your CHNA not only meets all federal requirements but also advances health equity initiatives. We help you navigate the IRS’s focus on financial assistance policies (501(r)(4)), limitations on charges (501(r)(5)), and billing and collection practices (501(r)(6)), protecting your hospital from penalties and ensuring financial assistance is effectively communicated to your patients.
Invest in Your Community's Future
Partnering with inHealth means you’re not just fulfilling regulatory obligations; you’re investing in the health and vitality of your community in a meaningful, lasting way. With the IRS planning at least 35 audits of nonprofit hospitals in 2024, now is the time to ensure your CHNA serves your mission while safeguarding your organization against increased IRS scrutiny. Together, we can strengthen your community’s health and solidify your hospital’s standing as a trusted, mission-driven leader in healthcare.
We invite you to connect with us and explore how we can support your next CHNA. Let’s work together to ensure it serves your mission and drives positive change in your community.
