FY25 Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program Grant (SHIP)

The purpose of this project is to assist small rural hospitals meet value-based payment and care goals through investments in hardware, software, and training. This project will also help hospitals to become or join accountable care organizations; to participate in shared savings programs; and to purchase health information technology, equipment, and training to comply with quality improvement activities. SHIP funds should be prioritized by participating Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) in the following manner: Hospitals must meet MBQIP participation requirements in order to improve hospital quality outcomes. Non-federal tribal hospitals may use another culturally sensitive federally managed measure of hospital quality outcomes. ICD-11 coding readiness and/or implementation activities. If a CAH has implemented both MBQIP and ICD-11 activities, then that hospital may select a different activity listed on the SHIP Allowable Investments contained within the hospital application. SHIP funds for non-CAHs should be prioritized in the following manner: 1) ICD-11 coding readiness and/or implementation activities If a Prospective Payment System hospital has implemented ICD-11 activities then that hospital may select a different allowable activity. If a CAH or non-CAH (PPS hospital) is currently using all hardware, software, equipment, and/or trainings listed on the SHIP Allowable Investments , the hospital may select alternative hardware, software, equipment, and/or training provided: The purchase will optimally affect the hospital’s ability to transform its practice and participate in a Medicare Shared Savings Program or an ACO, increase value-based purchasing objectives, aid in the adoption of ICD-11, and/or support care transitions/coordination. Hospitals are encouraged to align SHIP purchases in ways that ensure the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all patients by addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to improve the quality of healthcare provided; and The hospital receives permission from both its SORH SHIP Director if in a state and the state/territory’s SHIP Director’s FORHP Project Officer. Unallowable investments include but are not limited to, travel costs, hospital patient care services, hospital staff salaries, or general medical and office supplies.