During 2012, Carolinas HealthCare System invested more than $1.25 billion in community benefit initiatives that enhanced not only the quality of medical care but the quality of life in communities served by its facilities and personnel.

“Community benefit” is an industry term that refers to the total cost of providing financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured patients; subsidizing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements; and financing other services that address vital needs but do not pay for themselves. These include such things as research, education, community health improvements, community building initiatives, behavioral health and community health clinics. The impact of these public service activities in 2012 was extraordinary.