Resources

Determining whether your practice is ready to build or join a HIE can be a challenge. This guide provides some basic information for providers to consider while evaluating options for HIE.

With the changes and transitions in today’s health care environment, it's an important time for rural health care leaders to engage stakeholders in collaborative efforts. This presentation suggests two key ways to enable people to take on new behaviors and offers specific ways to help leaders succeed in truly engaging stakeholders.

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.

A MOU is required in order for any CAH to participate in MBQIP. Access current and past MBQIP MOU and consent forms as well as descriptions of when to use them.

View the criteria to be eligible to participate in Flex-related activities for Fiscal Year 2020. Learn exceptions and answers to frequently asked questions and access the 2019 MBQIP sample waiver template.

This resource includes a list of some of the MBQIP and CAH quality reporting and improvement topics on which RQITA is available to present to various audiences upon the request of a state Flex Program.

SHIP Allowable Investments support activities by small rural hospitals in meeting value-based care goals for their respective organizations through purchases in hardware, software, and related training.

The Flex Program and CAHs rely on leadership and a skilled workforce to advance program goals and deliver high-quality, high-value care for patients.

Managing the cooperative agreement is one of the primary responsibilities of state Flex Programs and includes: budgeting, cooperative agreement application writing, working with partners, information management, and reporting.

Planning ought to be purposeful, active, and relevant, with input from key stakeholders such as internal staff, rural provider leaders and staff, and the state rural health and clinic organizations.

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.

This guide offers anyone who manages and/or works with the Flex Program the opportunity to complete a competency self-assessment, identify areas of proficiency, recognize opportunities for improvement and development, and gather insight into what determines proficiency.

These tools and resources will help the Community Champion build a comprehensive foundation to identify and connect with diverse community partners to host a Community Connect Event.

This updated guide provides rural hospital executive and management teams with generally accepted best practice concepts in revenue cycle management. It is also designed to assist State Offices of Rural Health directors and Flex Program coordinators.