Lester E Cox Medical Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mission: To improve the health of the communities we serve through quality healthcare, education and research.
- Income
- $1.8 billion
- Spending
- $1.8 billion
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 13,423
- Volunteers
- 6
- Highest pay
- $1.9 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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 September 30, 2024, 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 (2)
- $1.2 billion spent. HOSPITAL SERVICES: AS A COMMUNITY OWNED, NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL, LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS PROVIDES THE KIND OF CARE AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE NEEDED TO SERVE MANY OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES - THE UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED. COMMUNITY BENEFIT TOTALED $1,366,169,119 SYSTEM-WIDE IN THESE CATEGORIES: SHORT-FALLS IN REIMBURSEMENT AND CHARITY CARE; COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES INCLUDING COMMUNITY EDUCATION, HEALTH SCREENINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS AND IMMUNIZATIONS; HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, INCLUDING THE UN-REIMBURSED COST OF COX FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY AND SCHOOLS OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS; AND FOUNDATION GRANTS, FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS. THE HOSPITAL ALSO OPERATES COX COLLEGE, A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT SINGLE PURPOSE COLLEGE ACCREDITED TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING IN A VARIETY OF ALLIED HEALTH FIELDS. LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS IS PROUD TO OFFER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED QUALITY CARE AND THE LATEST IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. DESPITE INNOVATION AND QUALITY, THERE ARE STILL COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT ARE NOT MET THROUGH REGULAR COURSE OF CARE. THAT IS WHY AS A COMMUNITY-OWNED, NOT-FORPROFIT HOSPITAL SYSTEM, WE PROVIDE THE KIND OF CARE AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE NEEDED TO SERVE ALL IN OUR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE - THE UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED. PROGRAMS THAT HELP THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN INVESTMENT IN FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS. LESTER E. C MEDICAL CENTERS DOES THIS THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE AMANDA BELLE FARM, KOHLS CARDIAC KIDS AND HEALTHY FOOD PANTRY COLLABORATIVE, BUT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN COMMUNITY AND HEALTH CARE EDUCATION, SUPPORT GROUPS, PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND DONATIONS. COMMUNITY BENEFIT MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND UNINSURED SUBSIDIES $ 267,576,550 CMC $ 313,317,259 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUDES THE ESTIMATED UNPAID COSTS OF PROVIDING C TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PATIENTS AND REPRESENTS THE SHORTFALL BETWEEN THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE AND THE PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND COVERED INDIVIDUALS. ALSO, IT INCLUDES THE ESTIMATED UNPAID COST OF PROVIDING FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE TO PERSONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE AND WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES $ 245,374 CMC $ 248,414 SYSTEM-WIDE INCLUDES ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SERVICES THAT ARE SUBSIDIZED BECAUSE THEY ARE NEEDED THE COMMUNITY. EXAMPLES ARE COMMUNITY EDUCATION, HEALTH SCREENINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS, IMMUNIZATIONS, COALITION BUILDING AND SUBSIDY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH $ 7,724,738 CMC $ 9,277,876 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE IS THE COST OF PROVIDING CLINICAL PLACEMENTS FOR PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PLUS THE UN-REIMBURSED COST OF COX FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY AND SCHOOLS OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS. IT INCLUDES THE UN-REIMBURSED EXPENSE OF STUDIES ON THERAPEUTIC PROTOCOLS AND RESEARCH. FOUNDATION GRANTS, FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS $ 1,788,963 CMC $ 1,822,950 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUDES CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PATIENT ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION, AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NOT FOR- PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENT SPONSORSHIPS. TOTAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT: $ 277,335,625 CMC $ 324,666,500 SYSTEM-WIDE ECONOMIC IMPACT RESTRICTED FOUNDATION GRANTS $ 7,298,746 CMC $ 8,533,598 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUES GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SPECIFIC RESTRICTED REQUESTS. REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY TAXES $ 2,128,323 CMC $ 2,461,515 SYSTEM-WIDE TOTAL REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY TAXES PAID BY LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS FOR MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDINGS AND PHYSICIAN OFFICES AND CLINIC. CAPITAL INVESTMENTS $ 98,590,566 CMC $ 125,683,662 SYSTEM-WIDE AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS REINVESTS ITS REVENUE IN THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE COST OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES. THIS AMOUNT INCLUDES THE TOTAL INVESTMENT MADE THROUGH PURCHASING AND LEASING OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, AS WELL AS RENTAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS MEDICAL OFFICES. PAYROLL & BENEFITS $ 707,450,689 CMC $ 904,823,844 SYSTEM-WIDE THE COXHEALTH SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS ALONE EMPLOYED NEARLY 13,423 PEOPLE, AND THE REMAINING COXHEALTH SYSTEM AFFILIATES CARRY THE TOTAL EMPLOYED FIGURE TO 16,867 PEOPLE. THIS DOLLAR AMOUNT INCLUDES THE COST OF PAYROLL AND BENEFITS OF OUR DEDICATED TEAM FOR LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS. IT ALSO INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ON CONTRACT PERSONNEL IN VARIOUS MEDICAL SPECIALTIES AS WELL AS MONIES TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO RESIDE LOCALLY. TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT: $ 815,468,324 CMC $ 1,041,502,619 SYSTEM-WIDE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY: $ 1,092,803,949 CMC $ 1,366,169,119 SYSTEM-WIDE
- $321.0 million spent. PHYSICIAN CARE: EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS AT LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTER PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE THROUGH THEIR PRACTICE AT RURAL HEALTH CLINICS IN UNDER-SERVED AREAS OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. PHYSICIANS WITH COX FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY ARE MAKING A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE IN CARE FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS AS WELL AS PATIENTS COVERED BY MEDICAID. AFFORDABLE, CONVENIENT CARE IS ALSO PROVIDED IN OUR RETAIL CLINICS. LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS CONTINUES TO ADD SUPER CLINICS BRINGING ADVANCED CARE TO THE PATIENT INCLUDING PHYSICAL THERAPY, IMAGING AND PHARMACY SERVICES WITHIN THE CLINIC. COXHEALTH HAS ALSO INVESTED IN TELEMEDICINE INFRASTRUCTURE TO FURTHER EXPAND ITS ABILITY TO OFFER COST EFFECTIVE AND CONVENIENT CARE TO OUR COMMUNITY. LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS IS PROUD TO OFFER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED QUALITY CARE AND THE LATEST IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. DESPITE INNOVATION AND QUALITY, THERE ARE STILL COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT ARE NOT MET THROUGH REGULAR COURSE OF CARE. THAT IS WHY AS A COMMUNITY-OWNED, NOT-FORPROFIT HOSPITAL SYSTEM, WE PROVIDE THE KIND OF CARE AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE NEEDED TO SERVE ALL IN OUR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE - THE UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED. PROGRAMS THAT HELP THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN INVESTMENT IN FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS. LESTER E. C MEDICAL CENTERS DOES THIS THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE AMANDA BELLE FARM, KOHLS CARDIAC KIDS AND HEALTHY FOOD PANTRY COLLABORATIVE, BUT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN COMMUNITY AND HEALTH CARE EDUCATION, SUPPORT GROUPS, PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND DONATIONS. COMMUNITY BENEFIT MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND UNINSURED SUBSIDIES $ 267,576,550 CMC $ 313,317,259 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUDES THE ESTIMATED UNPAID COSTS OF PROVIDING C TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PATIENTS AND REPRESENTS THE SHORTFALL BETWEEN THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE AND THE PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND COVERED INDIVIDUALS. ALSO, IT INCLUDES THE ESTIMATED UNPAID COST OF PROVIDING FREE OR DISCOUNTED CARE TO PERSONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE AND WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES $ 245,374 CMC $ 248,414 SYSTEM-WIDE INCLUDES ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SERVICES THAT ARE SUBSIDIZED BECAUSE THEY ARE NEEDED THE COMMUNITY. EXAMPLES ARE COMMUNITY EDUCATION, HEALTH SCREENINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS, IMMUNIZATIONS, COALITION BUILDING AND SUBSIDY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH $ 7,724,738 CMC $ 9,277,876 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE IS THE COST OF PROVIDING CLINICAL PLACEMENTS FOR PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PLUS THE UN-REIMBURSED COST OF COX FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY AND SCHOOLS OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS. IT INCLUDES THE UN-REIMBURSED EXPENSE OF STUDIES ON THERAPEUTIC PROTOCOLS AND RESEARCH. FOUNDATION GRANTS, FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS $ 1,788,963 CMC $ 1,822,950 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUDES CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PATIENT ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION, AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NOT FOR- PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENT SPONSORSHIPS. TOTAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT: $ 277,335,625 CMC $ 324,666,500 SYSTEM-WIDE ECONOMIC IMPACT RESTRICTED FOUNDATION GRANTS $ 7,298,746 CMC $ 8,533,598 SYSTEM-WIDE THIS FIGURE INCLUES GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SPECIFIC RESTRICTED REQUESTS. REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY TAXES $ 2,128,323 CMC $ 2,461,515 SYSTEM-WIDE TOTAL REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY TAXES PAID BY LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS FOR MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDINGS AND PHYSICIAN OFFICES AND CLINIC. CAPITAL INVESTMENTS $ 98,590,566 CMC $ 125,683,662 SYSTEM-WIDE AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS REINVESTS ITS REVENUE IN THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE COST OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES. THIS AMOUNT INCLUDES THE TOTAL INVESTMENT MADE THROUGH PURCHASING AND LEASING OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, AS WELL AS RENTAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS MEDICAL OFFICES. PAYROLL & BENEFITS $ 707,450,689 CMC $ 904,823,844 SYSTEM-WIDE THE COXHEALTH SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS ALONE EMPLOYED NEARLY 13,423 PEOPLE, AND THE REMAINING COXHEALTH SYSTEM AFFILIATES CARRY THE TOTAL EMPLOYED FIGURE TO 16,867 PEOPLE. THIS DOLLAR AMOUNT INCLUDES THE COST OF PAYROLL AND BENEFITS OF OUR DEDICATED TEAM FOR LESTER E. COX MEDICAL CENTERS. IT ALSO INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ON CONTRACT PERSONNEL IN VARIOUS MEDICAL SPECIALTIES AS WELL AS MONIES TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO RESIDE LOCALLY. TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT: $ 815,468,324 CMC $ 1,041,502,619 SYSTEM-WIDE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY: $ 1,092,803,949 CMC $ 1,366,169,119 SYSTEM-WIDE
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1944.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.