Christus Health
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 166 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $1.3 billion
- Spending
- $1.7 billion
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 4,650
- Volunteers
- 3
- Highest pay
- $14.7 million, president/chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 101% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 166 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
5 of 253 of 13 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 June 30, 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 (5)
- $1.0 billion spent. COMMITMENT TO BENEFITING OUR COMMUNITIES CHRISTUS HEALTH WAS FORMED IN 1999 WHEN THE SISTERS OF CHARITY HEALTH SYSTEM, SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD OF HOUSTON, AND THE INCARNATE WORD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD OF SAN ANTONIO, BROUGHT THEIR HEALTH MINISTRIES TOGETHER. THE 2016 AFFILIATION WITH TRINITY MOTHER FRANCES HEALTH SYSTEM RESULTED IN A THIRD SPONSORING CONGREGATION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH, THE SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH. THE VISION OF CHRISTUS HEALTH AS A CATHOLIC, FAITH-BASED MINISTRY, IS TO BE A LEADER, A PARTNER AND ADVOCATE IN THE CREATION OF INNOVATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES SO THAT ALL MAY EXPERIENCE GOD'S HEALING PRESENCE AND LOVE. CHRISTUS HEALTH RESPONDS TO HEALTH CARE NEEDS THROUGH SERVICES PROVIDED IN 350 FACILITIES, INCLUDING 60 HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, 175 CLINICS AND OUTPATIENT CENTERS AND DOZENS OF OTHER HEALTH MINISTRIES AND VENTURES. CHRISTUS SERVICES ARE FOUND IN 60 CITIES IN TEXAS, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA AND NEW MEXICO IN THE U.S., CHIHUAHUA, COAHUILA, NUEVO LEON, PUEBLA, SAN LUIS, POTOSI AND TAMAULIPAS IN MEXICO, CHILE, and Colombia. WHILE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DIFFER FROM FACILITY TO FACILITY TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS, EACH OF OUR HEALTH CARE ENTITIES HAS THE SAME OBJECTIVE -- TO FULFILL OUR MISSION OF EXTENDING THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST, WHICH INCLUDES LEADING THE WAY TO A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY. CHRISTUS HEALTH PROVIDES VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO THE CHRISTUS REGIONS, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, WELFARE BENEFITS, COLLECTION SERVICES, COMPUTER SERVICES, INSURANCE, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND OTHER BUSINESS OFFICE SERVICES. COMBINED, THE CHRISTUS HEALTH SERVICE AREA COMPRISES A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 9,000,000. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023 ALONE, WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN VARIOUS WAYS, INCLUDING 1,182,248 VISITS TO OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS; 41,815 INPATIENT SURGERY PROCEDURES; 178,138 OUTPATIENT SURGERY PROCEDURES; 212,681 PATIENTS ADMITTED TO OUR HOSPITALS FOR CARE; AND 3,857,788 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CARE AT OUR FACILITIES. TOUCHING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AROUND US IS WHAT MAKES CHRISTUS HEALTH STAND APART. ALLOWING OTHERS TO TOUCH US GIVES CHRISTUS HEALTH A VISION FOR THE MEDICALLY NEEDY IN EACH OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. WHETHER IT IS THE LIFE OF A CHILD EXPECTING A FUTURE FILLED WITH MIRACLES, THE LIFE OF A MAN IN NEED OF A CRITICAL HEART SURGERY, OR THE LIFE OF A WOMAN ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH, CHRISTUS HEALTH'S HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND VARIOUS OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE REGARDLESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO PAY. BY COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITIES, CHURCHES, BUSINESSES AND OTHER HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS, CHRISTUS HEALTH'S VARIOUS ENTITIES HAVE STRENGTHEND THEIR ROLES AS MAJOR PROVIDERS OF COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN A BLESSING BY HELPING CHRISTUS CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED. FURTHERMORE, INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICES WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS. THEY HELP TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES AND THE COMMUNITIES, NURTURING CHRISTUS' MISSION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. OUR EMPLOYEES WORK BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF OUR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND ARE COMMITTED TO REACHING BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL HOSPITAL WALLS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH. UNDERSTANDING THE NEED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE TO AS MUCH OF OUR PUBLIC AS POSSIBLE, CHRISTUS HEALTH PARTICIPATES IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS INCLUDING MEDICAID, MEDICARE, CHAMPUS, TRICARE AND OTHERS. IN ADDITION, WE OFFER SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE A DISCOUNT ON IMPORTANT SERVICES PROVIDED TO THOSE IN NEED WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE OR WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS. CHRISTUS HEALTH PROVIDES A RANGE OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. WE CONDUCT OUR ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE HEALTH CARE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, GENDER, ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. PARTICULAR HEALTH CARE SERVICES VARY BY MARKET AND ARE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF EACH PARTICULAR COMMUNITY. OUR SERVICES RANGE FROM THE MOST SOPHISTICATED RESEARCH AND BREAKTHROUGH MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO MUCH-NEEDED PRIMARY CARE. EACH OF OUR ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS PROVIDES AN EMERGENCY ROOM THAT IS OPEN TO SERVE ALL THOSE IN NEED OF EMERGENT CARE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. CHRISTUS ALSO SUPPORTS MANY LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. CLINICAL TRIALS TO ADVANCE CARE AND PROVIDE CURES FOR CERTAIN DISEASES, AND SOME CHRISTUS HOSPITALS HOST GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT TRAIN FUTURE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND LEADERS INCLUDING NURSES, PHYSICIANS AND VARIOUS ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, A GOVERNING BOARD COMPRISED LARGELY OF INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONALS WHO HELP SHAPE THE STRATEGIES AND POLICIES OF OUR HEALTH SYSTEM GUIDES CHRISTUS HEALTH. IN ADDITION, A BOARD OF INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE AREA WE SERVE GOVERNS EACH OF OUR HEALTH CARE ENTITIES. WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE OPEN MEDICAL STAFFS IN EACH OF OUR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS COMPRISED OF QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WHO WORK WITH US TO PROVIDE CARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WHO ARE GRANTED PRIVILEGES TO SERVE IN OUR HOSPITALS MUST UNDERGO A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE CREDENTIALING PROCESS.
- $149.4 million spent. OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISION OF CHARITY CARE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES, CHRISTUS HEALTH PROVIDES SERVICES TO PERSONS COVERED UNDER GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS INCLUDING MEDICARE, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND TRICARE. THE UNREIMBURSED COSTS OF THESE SERVICES ARE REPORTED TO THE STATE OF TEXAS BUT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN REPORTS PREPARED FOLLOWING CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES. CHRISTUS HEALTH PROVIDES SERVICES TO PERSONS COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL MEDICARE PROGRAM, AND IN FACT, THIS IS THE LARGEST SINGLE PAYOR CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS SERVED BY THIS HEALTH SYSTEM. THE PAYMENT RATE FOR INPATIENT SERVICES IS ON A PER-CASE RATE, CALCULATED BASED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC-RELATED GROUP (DRG) INTO WHICH THE PATIENT IS CATEGORIZED. OUTPATIENT SERVICES ARE REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE BASED ON THEIR FEE SCHEDULE. CHRISTUS HEALTH DBA US FAMILY HEALTH PLAN ALSO PROVIDES THE UNIFORM MEDICAL BENEFIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE DOD. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND TO RETIREES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ALL AGE CATEGORIES INCLUDING THOSE OVER AGE 65. CHRISTUS HEALTH ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE TRICARE STANDARD PROGRAM, AND MANY OF OUR HOSPITALS CONTRACT WITH THE MANAGED CARE SUPPORT CONTRACTOR FOR THE SOUTH REGION TO PROVIDE SERVICES UNDER THE PROVISION OF TRICARE PRIME.
- $1.9 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES - POOR AND UNDERSERVED ROOTED IN OUR MISSION AND TRADITION, THE FOUNDERS AND SPONSORS OF CHRISTUS HEALTH AND THOSE WHO CO-MINISTER WITH THEM SEEK NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS OF DELIVERING QUALITY HEALTH CARE THAT IS BOTH AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. TODAY, MORE THAN EVER, WE MUST AIM TO IMPROVE THE TOTAL HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PLACE OUR SERVICES WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION AND PREFERENCE GIVEN TO PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT AND BENEFIT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED. COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED REPRESENT THE UNPAID COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED FOR WHICH A PATIENT IS NOT BILLED, OR FOR WHICH A FEE HAS BEEN ASSESSED THAT RECOVERS ONLY A PORTION OF THE COST OF THE RENDERED SERVICE. THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES INITIATIVES THAT REACH OUT TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE VULNERABLE AND WORK TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES IN OUR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS. THE PROGRAMS COVER A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES FROM COMMUNITY CLINICS TO IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND SENIORS, MEALS ON WHEELS, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, HOME REPAIR PROJECTS AND A VARIETY OF OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. SOME EXAMPLES OF CHRISTUS HEALTH COMMUNITY BENEFITS ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED INCLUDE THE CHRISTUS COMMUNITY DIRECT INVESTMENT PROGRAM (CDI) AND THE CHRISTUS FUND. THE CHRISTUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED THE FUNDING OF A CDI LOAN PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT THE WORK OF SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND MORAL AND ETHICAL STEWARDSHIP CONTINUES IN SPITE OF CHALLENGING FISCAL CONDITIONS FACED BY LOCAL OPERATING ENTITIES. THE PURPOSE OF THE CDI PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVES PRIMARILY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING FINANCING AT BELOW-MARKET INTEREST RATES TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AT TERMS NOT EXCEEDING MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. THE INCOME THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EARNED AT THE MARKET RATE LESS OUR LOAN RATE (FOREGONE INCOME) IS CONSIDERED A COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR REPORTING PURPOSES. THE TOTAL FOREGONE INTEREST REPORTED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR FY2023 WAS $0. THE COST OF THESE INVESTMENTS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES. THESE LOANS ARE PROVIDED TO OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. CHRISTUS HEALTH ESTABLISHED THE CHRISTUS FUND TO ADDRESS PREVENTION AND WELLNESS STRATEGIES FOR THE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED BY PROVIDING RESOURCES TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT AGENCIES AND GROUPS WHOSE VISION, MISSION AND GOALS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CHRISTUS HEALTH'S MISSION, VALUES AND PHILOSOPHY OF A HEALTH COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE'S LIVES AND CREATE SUSTAINABLE HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. DURING FY24, $3,350,000 OF GRANT FUNDS WERE DISTRIBUTED FROM THE CHRISTUS FUND.
- $4.5 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY THE GREATEST SHARE OF THESE EXPENSES IS FOR EDUCATING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. HELPING TO PREPARE FUTURE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IS A DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE AND CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY BENEFIT. CHRISTUS HEALTH ALSO USED CASH DONATIONS AS A VEHICLE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES. WE MADE CASH DONATIONS IN ADDITION TO GRANTS AWARDED THROUGH THE CHRISTUS FUND TO SUPPORT CAUSES LIKE THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER, PROVISION OF A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, RURAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ACROSS EAST AND NORTHEAST TEXAS AND FOR MANY OTHER EQUALLY WORTHY PURPOSES. DURING FY23, CHRISTUS HEALTH ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC POLICIES, WORKING TO ESTABLISH, AND IN SOME INSTANCES AUGMENT, GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AND GREATER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR THE CONSTITUENTS WE SERVE.
- (Expenses $ 4,481,679 including grants of $ 4,481,679)(Revenue $ 0) COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY THE GREATEST SHARE OF THESE EXPENSES IS FOR EDUCATING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. HELPING TO PREPARE FUTURE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IS A DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE AND CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY BENEFIT. CHRISTUS HEALTH ALSO USED CASH DONATIONS AS A VEHICLE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES. WE MADE CASH DONATIONS IN ADDITION TO GRANTS AWARDED THROUGH THE CHRISTUS FUND TO SUPPORT CAUSES LIKE THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER, PROVISION OF A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, RURAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ACROSS EAST AND NORTHEAST TEXAS AND FOR MANY OTHER EQUALLY WORTHY PURPOSES. DURING FY23, CHRISTUS HEALTH ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC POLICIES, WORKING TO ESTABLISH, AND IN SOME INSTANCES AUGMENT, GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AND GREATER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR THE CONSTITUENTS WE SERVE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 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 March 1946.
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.