Feasibility of Durable Medical Equipment

Focus and Framing

Overview

Community Health Systems, Inc. is a nonprofit healthcare organization that is committed to providing comprehensive primary health care to citizens of southern West Virginia. The organization was established in 1967 as a demonstration health care project. The organization first was established in leased space from a local nonprofit hospital in Beckley, West Virginia. The organization then moved its corporate office in 1977 to 252 Rural Acres Drive in Beckley, West Virginia and operates from that location today. The company has grown over the years and has 9 locations, 33 providers, and over 150 employees Of the 9 locations, the majority are in the Beckley area and the others are in close proximity. The following clinics are located in Beckley, West Virginia: Rural Acres Clinic, Carriage Drive Clinic, Access Health Stanford, CHS Associates, and CHS Professional Medical Ultrasonic's. The remaining locations are Glade Crest Clinic in Daniels, WV, Clear Fork Clinic in Colcord, WV, Marsh Fork Clinic in Arnett, WV, and Glen Rogers/Ravencliff Clinic in Ravencliff, WV. The organization offers primary health care services including:

1. Family Practice

2. Pediatrics

3. Internal Medicine

4. OB/GYN

5. Ultrasonic's

6. Laboratory

7. Pharmacy

8. Billing

9. Administrative

The pharmacy is a 340(b) provider of prescription drugs. This means that the pharmacy provides customers the lowest possible price on prescription drugs at the same rate the federal government is allowed to purchase the products. According to Charles Hunt CEO of the organization, in 2005, Community Health Systems, Inc rendered services to 34,998 users accounting for 112,467 patient encounters (C. Hunt, personal communication, May 28, 2006). Community Health Systems, Inc. insurance and programs offered to customers are Medicaid, Family Planning, Cancer Control, Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicare, United Mine Workers Association, Sliding Fee Scale, Patient in Need, and Discounted Pharmaceuticals.