Moving from Loaded Miles to Value-Based Models: Flex Program Support for Rural Emergency Care

With support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the 2019 Rural Emergency Care Integration Summit was convened to assist state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Programs and State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) by offering timely information that will aid them as they support emergency medical services (EMS) in their states in the transition to population health and value. The purpose of the meeting was to address the need for rural EMS agencies and providers to move into new roles in an evolving health care system. With the transition from payment based solely on volume (fee for service) to value (efficiency, outcomes, and satisfaction) health care providers are recognized for higher quality outcomes and population health.

This report incorporates the summit proceedings, as well as a list of key strategies for rural ambulance services and hospital leaders to deploy when engaging collaboratively in transition to value-based payment and care delivery models.