IRS finalizes Form 990, new Schedule H

The Internal Revenue Service released its final Form 990 and new Schedule H, which tax-exempt hospitals must use to demonstrate compliance with the community benefit standard.

After receiving hundreds of comments from the hospital community and Congress, IRS elected to include Medicare underpayment and patient bad debt on the community benefit reporting form; restored community building programs as a reportable benefit; removed the “burdensome” billing information chart; and delayed for one year the Schedule H filing requirement for any portions unrelated to identifying information.

"Hospitals are strongly committed to transparency and accountability. The improvements that IRS made to Schedule H will help communities throughout the nation better understand the incredible range of programs, services and activities that hospitals provide to those they serve every day," AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said. “We will continue to work with IRS and the Congress to ensure Schedule H reaches it highest potential as a trusted information source for communities everywhere.” [AHA NewsNow, 12-20-07]

Link to IRS Form 990:  http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=176613,00.html


ACHI Conference Features Community Benefit Track

The Association for Community Health Improvement is holding its annual conference March 5-7, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia.  VHA, the Catholic Health Association, and Lyon Software are co-sponsoring the Community Benefit track of breakout sessions and a workshop.   The American Hospital Association and a number of other national health care and public health organizations are also sponsoring the event.

Registration is underway.  View the program online.