Allowable Investments Search Tool
In general, SHIP allowable investments include activities to assist small rural hospitals with their quality improvement efforts and with their adaptation to changing payment systems through investments in hardware, software and related trainings. This includes aiding with value and quality improvement.
Unallowable investments include, but are not limited to, travel costs, hospital services, hospital staff salaries, or general supplies. Hospitals should contact their State Office of Rural Health (SORH) with questions regarding the appropriateness or fit of a certain activity or hardware/software purchase. For additional clarifications, refer to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
This tool classifies a number of example investment activities as Allowable, Unallowable, or PO Pre-Approval. This is not a comprehensive list. It is only intended to provide examples of allowable SHIP activities.
Costs or fees associated with completing a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) do not qualify as a SHIP Allowable Investment.
Updated: May 20222
SHIP funds cannot be used for financial assessments, therefore would not be allowable. See language under Use of Funds.
Education/training for provider-based rural health clinic quality improvement reporting, including patient satisfaction survey scores, is allowable.
A 340B Drug Pricing Program training intended to increase efficiency or quality improvement in support of Prospective Bundling and Prospective Payment Systems initiatives is an allowable investment.
Types of Remote pharmacy machines are an allowable SHIP hardware purchase for pharmacy services.
NOTE: Pharmacist services or medications are not allowable.
After hours pharmacy services software apps that help support remote pharmacy services are an allowable use of SHIP funds.
Note: Pharmacist services or medications are not allowable
HIT hardware, software, and training are allowable uses of SHIP funds. Through SHIP, it would also be beneficial to include risk assessments and/or trainings associated with cybersecurity.
Costs for testing, including procuring, providing, or processing COVID-19 tests (including at-home testing kits).
Costs for testing using a simultaneous multi-disease test that must include COVID-19
Supporting EMS as it relates to COVID-19 testing and mitigation efforts, and as part of a system improvement process
Alterations and renovations that do not qualify as construction to update laboratories or other key spaces for safer and more efficient COVID-19 testing.
Installing tents, sheds, or other temporary structures to use for COVID-19 testing or mitigation activities.
Devices for masks, fit testing masks, respirators, or other personal protective equipment used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Covid-19 related education materials (including vaccination education materials) for dissemination to the public.
Laboratory supplies and equipment for COVID-19 testing.
Electronic health record (EHR) costs supportive of COVID-19 testing and mitigation.
Costs associated with staff time spent on COVID-19 testing.