Allowable Investments Search Tool

Updated January 2023

Changes, additions, or demolition to hospital facilities (internal and external) are an unallowable expense. This includes alterations and renovations that may improve a SHIP category area such as patient safety. 

Some unallowable expenses include but are not limited to: 

Updated January 2023

(Excluding HCAHPS and Chargemaster Review)

Contractor and consulting fees, services, and payments (recurring or one-time) are unallowable. This includes contracting for a consultant to review current operations under an approved SHIP category. 

Some unallowable expenses include but are not limited to: 

Note: It is understood that some companies providing "training" in an approved SHIP category may refer to themselves as a consultant or contractor. Please e-mail SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org if clarification is needed.

Updated January 2023

Event management software, hardware, or reporting that is completed to manage attendees, staff, or volunteers and event operations is not an allowable use of SHIP funds.

Updated January 2023

Fees and fines accrued in association with a service provided to the hospital, regardless of the SHIP-approval status, are not to be paid with SHIP funds.

Examples of unallowable fees include but are not limited to: 

Note that some costs are referred to as "fees" and may be allowable (like ACO Fees), fees in this context are subsidiary costs, the recurring cost for use of services, or lack thereof. 

Updated January 2023

In general, costs associated with purchasing iPads, tablets, and mobile devices are unallowable. For purchases related to telehealth, please contact SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org and copy your PO.

Some specific unallowable examples include but are not limited to: 

See also: Patient use supplies and equipment, office supplies.

Updated January 2023

Leadership training refers to general training on leadership best practices, leadership skill building, management, etc. Expenses related to leadership training (contracts, trainers, material, speakers) are unallowable expenses. Any training that includes certification, accreditation, or license is unallowable. 

Examples of unallowable costs include, but are not limited to:

The National Rural Health Resource Center has a collection of Leadership Videos that are available at no cost to hospitals. Compiled through various programs The Center supports, these videos can be found under the "Show more" button.

Updated January 2023

All medical equipment used for the treatment or diagnosis of a patient's illness or injury is unallowable. Medical equipment that serves as day-to-day operational equipment is unallowable.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to:

Note: Telehealth implementation is an allowable expense, however, purchases of Bluetooth or internet enabled medical devices is unallowable. 

Updated January 2023

Medical training is unallowable. Training for direct patient care, treatment, or response is unallowable.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to:

Note: For SHIP spending purposes, there are significant differences between medical training to treat and training to identify and prevent. Training on how to respond to a patient who has fallen is unallowable, but training on how to recognize fall risks or identify hazards is allowable. 

Updated October 2024

The cost associated with memberships in associations, professional societies, or other organizations that are in addition to and not required of a SHIP-qualifying training course is unallowable.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to:

Note: Some SHIP-qualifying training courses may require membership for staff to utilize approved training resources. If you find a trainer, or training company, that requires a membership it is best to e-mail ship-ta@ruralcenter.org and copy your PO for clarification.

Updated September 2023

Public messaging, marketing, and community outreach campaign costs are unallowable.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to: 

Updated January 2023

Costs associated with purchasing office supplies are unallowable.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to: 

Updated January 2023

Purchases that support the physical treatment of the patient are unallowable expenses. This includes physical equipment. An example may be the purchase of a bed that aids in preventing falls. Fall prevention is a "patient safety" activity, but SHIP funds can't be spent on beds that directly aid in treating a patient. Therefore, it would be an unallowable expense.

Examples of unallowable costs include but are not limited to:

Note: This card pertains to equipment only. Please see the card for Patient Safety (Training) for more information.

Updated May 2022

Purchases for hospital facility security, facility security assessments, and crisis management, including, but not limited to:

Note: Value Based Programs/Purchasing (VBP) section C: "patient safety" is about the quality of care given to patients. Please click "See more" for additional information. See also: Patient Safety (Equipment), Emergency Preparedness, Patient Safety.

Updated May 2022

Costs associated with purchasing patient-use supplies, equipment, and furniture are unallowable expenses.

Examples of unallowable cost include but are not limited to:

Updated January 2023

Costs or fees associated with a physician-waiver to prescribe and dispense Buprenorphine are an unallowable expense.

Providers may apply for a waiver with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Become a Buprenorphine Waivered Practitioner since this has an opioid component. This process is free of charge; therefore, SHIP funds should be applied to other activities.

Updated May 2022

Hospital staff salary, benefits, incentives, and bonuses, of any kind, are unallowable.  

Updated January 2023

Costs associated with conducting surveys and assessments (including overhead, fees, payments, contractors, etc.) are unallowable.

Some unallowable examples include but are not limited to:

Note: This category is consistently under review, and we encourage SHIP Coordinators to email SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org and copy your PO with questions or concerns. 

Updated May 2022

Unused SHIP funds cannot be transferred to another participating hospital.