Resources

Evaluation reporting to program stakeholders should be included in Flex Program activities. Reporting supports overall program transparency and development, stakeholder buy-in, engagement, and accountability.

State Flex Programs remain vital because of the web of relationships developed and maintained within communities, providers, networks, states, regions, and nationally. It is imperative that state Flex Programs have the skills, capacity, and commitment to build and sustain partnerships, new and old, to support rural providers and rural stakeholders.

State Flex Programs need to have an in-depth understanding of the policies and regulations governing the Flex Program, as well as a basic understanding of the policy-making process and other policies and regulations affecting rural providers.

State Flex Programs must understand QI principles, resources, and trends to support CAHs in advancing QI.

The Flex Program and CAH designation was established and remains in place because of the financial vulnerability of small rural hospitals. CAH financial and operational improvement is one of the required program areas of the Flex Program.

State Flex Programs can help CAHs transition into value-based systems, population health models, and future opportunities through education, network support, facilitation of new partnerships, and technical assistance.

It is important for state Flex Programs to understand the community needs of CAH and RHC service areas to develop or leverage program activities in support of health system development, community engagement, and population health improvement.

Blue Mountain Hospital has been recognized by the National Rural Health Resource Center for its use of innovative approaches to improve the organization’s financial stability.

The Critical Access Hospital Financial Sustainability Guide guide is intended for use by state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program personnel, leaders of critical access hospitals (CAHs), and other individuals and/or teams that provide guidance and assistance to these providers in managing their long-term financial stability.

View a list of resources related to electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) reporting that is intended to aid CAHs seeking to meet the reporting requirements for the Promoting Interoperability Program, formerly the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. This list will be regularly updated to reflect new resources as they become available.

This video provides board of directors, leaders, and physicians a basis to understand what a corporate compliance program is and why the seven elements are important to include in a hospital’s corporate compliance program.

This video discusses the importance of board engagement in the physician-driven activities within its organization and provides practical approaches and methods for engagement with management (and physicians). Board members and senior leaders will gain a better understanding of How physicians can drive strategy, How to govern the risk associated with physician contracts, and The importance of ‘leaning-in’ on the numbers related to provider arrangements.

In this module, we’re going to take a broad look at your health care organization and help you think about how you and your team contribute to its long-term success. We’ll also explore the ways you impact culture and relationships through your daily interactions with others. 

In this module, we’re going to explore ways that you can work to influence the behavior of those on your team. We’ll share best practices for communicating expectations, giving and receiving feedback, and recognizing others.

In this module, we’re going to dig into some things that are hard for many of us: Communication, conflict, and difficult conversations. We’ll look at what it means to be a collaborative communicator and share tips for becoming a better listener, keeping conflict constructive, and having difficult conversations.

In this module, we’re going to dive into the topic of change. We’ll talk about common experiences that people have through the course of change. We’ll talk about specific things you can do as a leader of change to smooth the process and help others through the transition – and help yourself as well.

In this module, we’ll explore what it means to engage your team and share some strategies for strengthening engagement by developing your team’s knowledge and skills, making collaborative decisions, and building a strong team identity.

Outlines a compilation of states' criteria for designation as a necessary provider. Describes how each state has addressed local considerations or unique requirements.

This document outlines four performance management tools: Balanced Scorecard, Baldrige, Lean and Studer. These tools have been identified as effective methods for managing performance improvement with small rural hospitals.