Springfield Medical Care Systems Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) operates a five-site, federally qualified health center network. These offices provide access for primary and preventive health care to the general population and make financial assistance and charity care available to all based on a sliding fee scale. Services include primary and preventive health care for people of all ages, pediatrics, health screenings, behavioral health programs, school-based clinics, dental care, vision care, and a 340B discount pharmacy program.Primary Care Services - Our primary care network provides ongoing care and outreach to our service area, utilizing a medical home model of care and focusing on prevention and efficient care management. We work closely with the Quality Improvement Collaborative, OneCare AccountableCare, and the Vermont Blueprint for Health to develop and implement strategies for improving overall population health outcomes. Our offices strive to provide the best possible outcomes. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality care, i.e. appropriate care provided in the appropriate setting, with the end result being improved health outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and improved cost efficiency.The North Star Community Health Team has programs and services to facilitate and support access to care including assistance with transportation, food insecurity, housing and economic assistance, connecting individuals to mental health and substance use treatment programs, coordinating care, and preventing and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Community Health Team services are free and available to anyone who may benefit from them. Through the employment of primary care physicians and allied health professionals in Charlestown, NH; Ludlow, VT; Londonderry, VT; and Springfield, VT, SMCS provides access to high quality medical care with emphasis on prevention and wellness in these communities. Due to the tenuous economics of rural primary care practices, this physician availability would not exist without SMCS support.The Ludlow area has been designated by the State of Vermont as a Health Professional Shortage Area. The state and federal governments have designated the Charlestown, NH area as serving a medically-underserved population. These health centers serve an inordinately high Medicare and Medicaid caseload. As of September 2025, SMCS cares for a total of 23,006 unique patients.Behavioral HealthSMCS has a comprehensive outpatient Mental Health/ Substance abuse program and provides outpatient behavioral health counseling. With early adoption of Healthy People and NCQI Medical Home guidelines, SMCS aggressively integrated behavioral health counseling with primary care medical care by virtue of the on-site stationing of behavioral health at its primary care (FQHC) sites. SMCS practitioners coordinate care with Springfield Hospital inpatient services and, to an even greater extent, work with Springfield Hospital emergency department to assist in managing patients that present with mental health related diagnosis.Dental Care - SMCS' Chester office serves a growing need for dental services throughout the SMCS primary care service area. Patients from all offices can be referred to the Dental Center for care, and a financial assistance program is available for those needing assistance, based on a sliding fee scale. The location provided 10,057 visits in FY '25.Vision - SMCS offers vision services through North Star Vision Care in Springfield, VT and offers comprehensive eye care services including ophthalmology and optometry. In 2025, vision provided 3,305 visits.Pharmacy Program - SMCS operates a 340B pharmacy charity program that helps expand access to affordable medications. Eligible patients can obtain their prescriptions at little to no cost. This program operates in partnership with five local pharmacies in Vermont: Bellows Falls, Springfield, and Ludlow, as well as two pharmacies in Claremont, NH.Charity Care Polic

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 79.5%; rating input score 79
• Program expense ratio: 90.2%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 11.7%; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.72; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.43; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.7%; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.9% per year; rating input score 100; 17th percentile among comparable filings