Allowable Investments Search Tool

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

Costs for patient safety training to address performance issues related to Value-Based Program initiatives are allowable.

Examples may be training on recommendations, protocols, or information regarding best practices for patient safety and the quality of health care delivery or training on preserving confidentiality. According to the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), "safety" reduces the risk of harm and injury. Additionally, "quality" suggests striving for excellence and value. 

Examples of allowable costs include but are not limited to: 

Note: Patient healthcare safety, security, and equipment that aids in treating a patient may also increase patient safety. The three are not the same, and direct patient care and hospital security measures are unallowable even if those measures increase patient safety measurements.

Definition

Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

Payment Bundling (PB)/Prospective Payment System (PPS)

Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Investment

Updated  February 2025

A subscription is defined as an arrangement to continually receive services for a preset price. Subscription services solely in support of SHIP-approved categories such as ICD software are allowable.

Generally, subscriptions for software are allowable. See the table below or email SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org and copy your PO with questions or concerns.

Please note that subscriptions to ongoing or on-demand training (at-will training) are unallowable expenses. Subscriptions that "happen to include" a SHIP-approved expenditure should be avoided. Subscriptions must be purchased and used for the SHIP-approved category. 

Examples of allowable expenses include but are not limited to:

Note: A common example is ICD Software. Whereas a hospital purchased one program that could be downloaded to multiple computers (or server accessed), many ICD companies have now moved to cloud-based subscription services where the hospital pays a "per user" license. This specific example would be allowable under "Payment Bundling, A: ICD-10 Software."

This card is a definition to help users understand the application of SHIP spending categories and expenses. Definitions found in the SHIP Allowable Investment Search Tool may not be the same as the Federal Government's (or departments within) definition.

Allowable

Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

Payment Bundling (PB)/Prospective Payment System (PPS)

Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Investment

Updated February 2025

Subscriptions for products that provide critical services are becoming more prevalent in rural hospitals. 

Generally, subscriptions for software are allowable. Please see the table below or email SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org and copy your PO with questions or concerns.

Examples of allowable expenses include but are not limited to:

Note: A common example is ICD Software. Whereas a hospital purchased one program that could be downloaded to multiple computers (or server accessed), many ICD companies have now moved to cloud-based subscription services where the hospital pays a "per user" license. This specific example would be allowable under "Payment Bundling, A: ICD-10 Software."

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.