What percentage range best represents the portion of the budget at a military treatment facility allocated for personnel salaries?

• A. 60-75
• B. 50-65
• C. 70-85
• D. 80-95

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how budgeted funds at a military treatment facility are typically allocated, specifically that salaries and benefits for personnel are the largest expense. In a healthcare facility, staffing the patient care teams—clinicians, nurses, technicians, and the administrative and support staff—drives the majority of costs. Because of that, personnel salaries usually take up a substantial portion of the budget, but not all of it, since there are essential non-personnel costs such as medical supplies, equipment, facility operations, utilities, maintenance, training, and contracted services that must be funded as well. The 60-75% range reflects this reality: salaries are the largest single category, yet there’s still room for those other necessary expenses. Other ranges would either understate or overstate the share typically needed for non-personnel costs.