Freeman Health System
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF FREEMAN HEALTH SERVICES IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE THROUGH CONTEMPORARY, INNOVATIVE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS.
- Income
- $709.6 million
- Spending
- $703.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 4,823
- Volunteers
- 115
- Highest pay
- $2.8 million, physician
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $340.7 million spent. FREEMAN OFFERS OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDING CANCER CARE, RADIATION ONCOLOGY, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, WOMEN'S SERVICES, GASTROENTEROLOGY, DIALYSIS, WOUND CARE, NEUROLOGY, ORTHOPAEDICS, OTOLARYNGOLOGY, GERIATRIC CARE, A PHARMACY, WALK-IN CLINICS, HOME CARE, OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, OUTPATIENT SURGERY, REHABILITATION THERAPIES, HEART AND VASCULAR SERVICES, RADIOLOGY, LABORATORY SERVICES, AND MORE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Freeman offers outpatient services including cancer care, radiation oncology, emergency medicine, women's services, gastroenterology, dialysis, wound care, neurology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, geriatric care, a pharmacy, walk-in clinics, home care, occupational medicine, outpatient surgery, rehabilitation therapies, heart and vascular services, radiology, laboratory services, and more. Outpatient-Emergency Services The Emergency Department/Trauma Center at Freeman Hospital West treats tens of thousands of patients each year. Emergency rooms routinely deal with homeless patients, mentally ill patients, and patients under the influence of drugs. Freeman places mental health counselors in the emergency room around-the-clock to help patients with mental health needs. As a result of this intervention, many previous frequent visitors to the emergency room have been redirected to appropriate psychiatric or substance use programs. Freeman offers compassionate and comprehensive care to victims of sexual assault in the Emergency Room through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. The program provides a coordinated hospital response and continuum of care for victims of sexual violence and ensures a medical evaluation, standardized forensic examination with evidence collection, and effective interface with law enforcement and advocacy services. On a related note, the Freeman Emergency Room displays posters in conspicuous places to help human trafficking victims, in accordance with Missouri House Bill 1246. Emergency Department nurses have received education about human trafficking, including learning how to spot the warning signs and approach a suspected victim. This is important because nurses are some of the few professionals who might interact with human trafficking victims while they are still in captivity, and this training enables nurses to help the victims. Freeman Ambulance Service Freeman Ambulance Service covers the entire 540-mile McDonald County area, averaging more than 60,000 miles per year per ambulance. With two state-of-the art ambulances, Freeman Ambulance Service provides reliable, safe, and comfortable transportation across the often-difficult, steep, twisting roads of McDonald County, an area that has been designated "medically underserved" by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The need for services in this area is great, and Freeman Ambulance Service operates at a loss. All patients are served regardless of ability to pay. Outpatient-Wes & Jan Houser Women's Pavilion Designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, Wes & Jan Houser Women's Pavilion's team of surgeons, radiologists, and registered mammography technologists uses the latest technologies to ensure patients receive the best care, advice, and treatment. Breast Lifecare Patients have a sense of urgency when they find a lump in their breasts, and they want answers and test results quickly with few delays. That's why Freeman developed Breast Lifecare. Freeman radiologists and surgeons work as a team to provide as much information as possible in as few visits as possible to minimize the stress caused by multiple appointments and waiting. During a Breast Lifecare visit, patients consult with a breast surgeon. The breast surgeon reviews the patient's imaging with the breast radiologist and then discusses a plan of care with the patient. If a breast biopsy, a mammogram, or an ultrasound is recommended, it can be done that same day under most circumstances. Outpatient-Outpatient Dialysis Freeman provides outpatient dialysis services through two outpatient dialysis centers. Freeman outpatient dialysis complements inpatient dialysis and kidney treatment services in place at Freeman Hospital West. Freeman offers treatments and services for patients with kidney-related diseases, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, nutritional counseling, educational resources, social services, and transplant referral. Freeman Outpatient Dialysis features comfortable chairs; a safe, private environment; state-of-the-art dialysis equipment; and innovative technology in vascular access grafts. Patients also rely on the caring staff that includes a team of experienced and compassionate nephrologists. Outpatient-Freeman Bariatric Center Freeman Bariatric Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The first bariatric program in the area to be accredited, Freeman Bariatric Center meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care. Outpatient-Freeman NeuroSpine Freeman NeuroSpine provides surgical and nonsurgical treatments for conditions ranging from back pain, work-related injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome to stroke and complex spinal diseases. Freeman's expert, multidisciplinary team includes neurosurgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, surgical assistants, physical therapists, massage therapists, and athletic trainers. Outpatient-Pediatric Specialty Care Freeman Health System partners with Pediatrix Cardiology to enhance pediatric specialty care in the four-state area. Convenient access to this caliber of pediatric specialty care not only improves outcomes for pediatric patients-it also saves families the expense and time involved with driving great distances for clinic appointments. Outpatient-School
- $227.2 million spent. FREEMAN PROVIDES INPATIENT SERVICES IN JOPLIN THROUGH TWO HOSPITALS-FREEMAN HOSPITAL WEST AND FREEMAN HOSPITAL EAST. IN THESE TWO HOSPITALS, PATIENTS RELY ON A VARIETY OF MEDICAL UNITS FOR MEDICAL CARE. THESE INCLUDE THE GENERAL MEDICAL, GENERAL SURGERY, ORTHOPAEDIC, NEUROSURGERY, CARDIOVASCULAR, CARDIAC/MEDICAL, ONCOLOGY, CRITICAL CARE (INTENSIVE AND TRANSITIONAL), NICU (NEONATAL ICU), MATERNAL, PEDIATRIC, PSYCHIATRIC, GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC, AND PHYSICAL REHABILITATION UNITS. FREEMAN JOPLIN INPATIENT SERVICES TOTALED 17,654 CASES, OF WHICH, 4,743 OR 26.9%, WERE MEDICAID CASES. ADDITIONALLY, 516 INPATIENT CASES, OR 2.9% OF THE TOTAL, FELL INTO THE SELF-PAY (NO INSURANCE) CATEGORY. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Freeman provides inpatient services in Joplin through two hospitals-Freeman Hospital West and Freeman Hospital East. In these two hospitals, patients rely on a variety of medical units for medical care. These include the general medical, general surgery, orthopedic, neurosurgery, cardiovascular, cardiac/medical, oncology, critical care (intensive and transitional), NICU, maternal, pediatric, psychiatric, geriatric psychiatric, and physical rehabilitation units. Freeman Joplin inpatient services totaled 17,721 cases, of which, 4,754 or 26.8%, were Medicaid cases. Additionally, 508 inpatient cases, or 2.9% of the total, fell into the self-pay (no insurance) category. Inpatient-Critical Care Patients rely on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for lifesaving treatment. Freeman's specialized team of critical care physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists provides exceptional care in the state-of-the-art, 33-bed ICU, and 7-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, Freeman Hospital West provides a Transitional Care Unit (TCU) for patients who are still too ill for the general medical floor but have progressed to the point where they no longer need the level of care provided in the ICU. Freeman Joplin critical care services totaled 3,740 cases, of which, 566, or 15.1%, were Medicaid cases. Additionally, 2.4% of the critical cases fell into the self-pay (no insurance) category. Inpatient-Freeman Pediatric Unit The Freeman Pediatric Unit provides care to children from birth to age 18 and works with families to make their children's hospitalization less traumatic by encouraging parental involvement. Freeman Joplin inpatient pediatric services totaled 229 cases, of which, 134, or 58.5%, were Medicaid cases. Additionally, 1.8% of the pediatric inpatient cases fell into the self-pay (no insurance) category. Inpatient-Maternity Services Designed to give new mothers and their families the comforts of home within the security of a hospital, Freeman Maternity Center delivered 1,881 babies in FY25. The unit includes board-certified obstetricians available 24 hours a day and perinatology care for women with high-risk pregnancies. In FY25, Freeman Maternity Center served 896 Medicaid patients, or 47.6% of its caseload. Self-pay patients (those with no insurance) represented 1% of the mothers delivering babies at Freeman. As these statistics indicate, Freeman provides a safety net for expectant mothers who live in poverty and receive government assistance and those who scrape by without assistance but have no health insurance. Medicaid reimbursement does not cover the cost of providing the level of treatment required. Freeman Health System helps families prepare for new arrivals with free prenatal education. The informative classes are taught by registered nurses and other professionals with years of experience helping expectant families prepare for a positive birth experience. Freeman Maternity Center also offers free breastfeeding classes taught by a certified lactation consultant to help new moms get started with proper positioning, recognizing hunger signals, and much more. Freeman offers a donor breast milk program for pre-term babies, partnering with St. Luke's Heart of America Mother's Milk Bank to support the smallest and sickest babies in the hospital. Inpatient-NICU Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides immediate critical care for premature and critically ill infants. Survival rates for infants less than 3 pounds have increased significantly as a result of the outstanding medical care provided by the Freeman NICU team of doctors, neonatal nurse practitioners, specialized developmental therapists, and nurses. Before Freeman NICU opened in 1993, premature or critically ill infants were sent outside the region, pulling parents away from their support system at home or separating them from their precious child because the distance was too far to travel each day. At the time, Freeman leaders anticipated 90 babies would be treated in the NICU each year. By the end of the first year, 300 babies had been admitted. By the end of FY24, more than 10,585 infants have had a fighting chance to live thanks to the care they received at Freeman NICU. In FY25, Freeman NICU served 351 prematurely born or critically ill babies. Of these tiny patients, 229 received Medicaid, which represents 65.2% of Freeman NICU's caseload. Self-pay patients (those with no insurance) represented 2.0% of Freeman NICU patients. Neonatal intensive care is extremely expensive to provide, sometimes more than $1 million per child, and Medicaid reimbursement does not cover the cost of providing the level of treatment required.
- $38.1 million spent. FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEM PROVIDES PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CARE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES. FREEMAN CANCER INSTITUTE ACCEPTS MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PATIENTS. FREEMAN CANCER INSTITUTE HELPS PATIENTS DEAL WITH THE ISSUES SURROUNDING TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. FREEMAN STAFF WORK WITH DRUG COMPANIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROCURE FREE CANCER MEDICATIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Freeman Health System provides physical and emotional care for patients and families through comprehensive services and technological advances. Freeman Cancer Institute accepts Medicaid and Medicare patients. Freeman Cancer Institute helps patients deal with the issues surrounding treatment and recovery. Freeman staff work with drug companies and other organizations to procure free cancer medications for patients with limited financial resources. Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute is one of only four cancer centers in Missouri to be recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification program. The QOPI certification program recognizes outpatient oncology practices that meet the highest standards for quality cancer care. Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute's Radiation Oncology program is dedicated to bringing the most advanced and complete cancer therapies to Joplin and surrounding communities. Freeman now offers Optune, a treatment for patients with glioblastoma, an especially aggressive form of brain and spinal cord cancer. With Optune patients wear a portable, non-invasive skull cap that emits tumor-treating fields (TTFs), which are alternating electric fields directed through the tumor area. This treatment has the potential to extend a patient's life, has very few side effects, and is well-tolerated. Patients facing many types of cancer benefit from advanced treatment options provided through radiation oncology. Freeman has invested in a state-of-the-art, top-of-class linear accelerator. It uses precisely shaped and directed radiation beams to kill cancer cells, while preserving adjoining, healthy tissue. This pin-point technology provides improved outcomes, lower doses of radiation, and shorter treatment times. Freeman Health System is the first in the area to offer high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy. HDR brachytherapy enables doctors to deliver higher doses of radiation to specific areas of the body by placing radioactive sources inside the tumor cavity. While Freeman Lung Institute helps patients with breathing issues and lung function, it also helps people with cancer. A few years ago, Freeman became the first and only health system in Missouri, Southeast Kansas, and Northeast Oklahoma to invest in Monarch robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. This is important because the area served by Freeman Health System underperforms national averages in lung health, according to the data-driven Community Health Needs Assessment. The Monarch platform integrates the latest advancements in robotics, software, data science, and endoscopy. It helps pulmonologists find lung nodules earlier through the least invasive approach. Lung Cancer is a particularly deadly disease, in part because patients usually don't notice any symptoms until the cancer has progressed to the later stages. However, early diagnosis and treatment increase survival rates greatly. Additionally, patients benefit from knowing early-on that their condition is not cancer. Freeman Health System has been able to save many lives through the Monarch platform and the early detection of lung cancer. We've learned that older, low-yield diagnostic bronchoscopy catches far fewer early-stage cancers. Additionally, traditional biopsy can cause lungs to collapse, while biopsy performed with robotic-assisted bronchoscopy has less than a 2% chance of lung collapse. We've been quite busy performing diagnostic robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, and have saved many patients. Nationally, early-stage lung cancer diagnosis rates are 15-20%, while Freeman's rates are 44% after performing more than 150 screenings in each of the past three years. That's a huge increase in early detection, and that makes a priceless difference to patients and positively affects their whole lives. Southwest Missouri has a high incidence of lung cancer due to above average tobacco use, high levels of radon in the soil, and occupations such as working in quarries and welding. Our purpose is to increase early detection rates and also keep awareness of lung cancer front and center. Freeman Helping Friends Mammogram Fund, administered through Freeman Development Office, provides mammograms for women who can't afford them. In 2024, Helping Friends Mammogram Fund helped 38 women also enables us to provide post-mastectomy camisoles, education, diagnostic screenings, and breast ultrasounds to help patients as they progress through their breast cancer journey.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.