Ohio’s largest hospital system said Thursday its community benefit costs hit a record $385.4 million in 2012 to cover unreimbursed care, free care and community programs.

Cincinnati-based Catholic Health Partners says the expense increased nearly $40 million in 2012 from 2011 to be about 10 percent of operating expenses last year. Catholic Health, which operates 24 hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky, and 15 long-term care facilities, reported net operating revenues in 2012 of $3.8 billion.

Catholic Health is the nonprofit hospital group that owns Community Mercy Health Partners in Springfield and Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital in Butler County, for example.

Altogether, Catholic Health has more than 33,000 employees in Ohio and Kentucky.

Last year’s total $385.4 million community benefit includes: $154.9 million for uncompensated care for those who are poor and qualify for Medicaid; $126.3 million for free charity care; $72.5 million for benefits to the community; and $31.7 million to support other programs for those who are poor, Catholic Health said. For example, Catholic Health supports an obesity health program for fourth graders in 16 schools.