Illinois Covered Entities

Ascension Illinois, a nonprofit, Catholic Health system operates 80 sites of care, including 5 hospitals spanning the Chicagoland area. It provides inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care to more than 680,000 people in Illinois, including critical, advanced facilities, and specialized expertise not widely available. It is a strong economic driver and job creator as well, with thousands of jobs. But beyond this core commitment, Ascension Illinois makes ongoing investments in community benefit of millions in charity care, donations, community health services, education and more.

Its community benefit focus areas are access to care; behavioral health; chronic disease, including diabetes; behavioral health; nutrition; physical activity and weight; and the social determinants of health. Without the savings from the 340B program, Ascension Illinois would lack the necessary resources to continue serving the community outside the walls of the hospital. . In fiscal year 2024, the 340B program benefits totaled $13.9 million.

The 340B program is a vital lifeline for safety-net providers, supporting critical health services in communities and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable patients. It allows the system to provide outpatient charity prescriptions and ensure the continuity of care for all patients at discharge regardless of their ability to pay. It also allows the system to treat cancer patients who cannot afford to pay, provide care to low-income patients through emergency rooms, and provide extensive psychiatric services throughout the Chicago metro area. The 340B program also allows Ascension Illinois to reinvest additional resources into other community outreach programs, including programs to prevent diabetes, support new mothers and babies, and expand cancer services to underserved communities.

Ascension Illinois hospitals and caregivers are continuing to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in the communities we are privileged to serve. The savings from the 340B program support our ability to continue to serve the most vulnerable including those enrolled in Medicaid, the uninsured and underinsured. 

Programs enabled by 340B benefits:

• Charitable pharmacies: operates three Dispensary of Hope locations serving uninsured populations with free medication across the state.
• Medical Mission at Home: historically held at least annually at multiple locations across the state, the event provides free medical, vision and dental services to those in need. Community health services.
• Patient assistance prescription medications provided at no charge to qualified patients at three retail pharmacies ($1.95m annually) system-wide.
• Pharmacotherapy clinic provides post-discharge and chronic disease therapy management to patients (6,600 visits annually).
• Specialty Pharmacy Services to support patients on high cost high acute specialty medications.
• Population Health Pharmacy services to help patients navigate health system challenges and improve clinical outcomes.
• Mental Health First Aid Training: free evidence-based training on how to identify signs of a mental health crisis and where to route safely for treatment. Provided to community partners such as those directly working with youth, first responders and other community-facing agencies.