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.
Software and training for analysis of population health needs by chronic disease, geographic location, or analysis of social determinants of health in improving health outcomes and care management programs are allowable.
Mid-level manager (MLM) training/education for the “why” and “how” of Value-Based Care and Population Health, and tools and strategies to help MLMs lead others in this time of change are allowable.
IT software and hardware SHIP infrastructure for a wellness streaming services as a population health project is an allowable use of SHIP funds.
Any training to support coding and reimbursement, documentation, or documentation improvements that result in increased coding compliance are 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.
Costs related to treatment or direct patient care.
Vaccine purchases, dissemination (including boosters) of vaccinations, or supplies associated with COVID-19 vaccination (considered direct patient care).
Costs associated with purchasing, maintaining, or operating ventilators or other similar equipment which allows for respiratory assistance (considered direct patient care).