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.
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.
Books, manuals, and/or guides are an allowable use of SHIP funds IF they are supported by training. Books and manuals alone are NOT an allowable use of SHIP funds.
Books or manuals that are used for continuous reference of standard pricing guidelines are not an allowable use of SHIP Funds.
Library fees and services that are used strictly for training access or material and not ongoing operational access can be an allowable use of SHIP funds but requires PO approval.
Mobile language line workstations, iPads, and tablets can potentially be allowable SHIP investments if used by hospital staff to support operational efficiency and increase equitable patient satisfaction.
Note: These investments require Project Officer pre-approval. If a hospital is interested in this investment, the State SHIP coordinator should email their project officer with justification of how these services will support operational efficiency and increase equitable patient satisfaction.
iPads/Tablets to be used for patient care surveys are not an allowable use of SHIP funds. In general, iPads and tablets to be used by patients and non-hospital staff are unallowable.
Whiteboards used in conjunction with training for quality improvement are an allowable use of SHIP funds.
NOTE: Apart from training, whiteboards are not an allowable cost.
Example of an allowable use of funds: If hospitals are doing a training on efficient and effective rounding, and part of that training requires the use of a whiteboard for implementing the rounding process and improving the quality and efficiency of providers and staff.
Costs association with the mitigation of COVID-19 and other related respiratory disease.
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 create isolation areas for potential COVID-19 patients
Alterations and renovations that do not qualify as construction to update surfaces to more sanitary materials to mitigate COVID-19
Alterations and renovations that do not qualify as construction to update laboratories or other key spaces for safer and more efficient COVID-19 testing.
Addition of automated doors, sinks, toilets, soap dispensers, etc. for the purpose of COVID-19 mitigation.
Creating negative pressure spaces within common spaces (such as waiting rooms and bathrooms), or in rooms to treat COVID-19 positive patients.
Installing tents, sheds, or other temporary structures to use for COVID-19 testing or mitigation activities.
Purchasing and installing HVAC and associated expenses to improve COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Purchasing and installing ionized filtration systems for HVAC units to improve COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Devices for masks, fit testing masks, respirators, or other personal protective equipment used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Laboratory supplies and equipment for COVID-19 testing.
Portable equipment (such as a portable x-ray machine) that is used to prevent patients from being moved throughout a facility and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Temperature screening systems to be used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. See COVID-19 Screen Staff as well.
Upgrading or expanding for telemetry equipment as part of a larger COVID-19 mitigation strategy.
Cost of paying screeners placed at facility entrance doors to protect patients and employees and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Digital meeting technology software purchases to conduct digital/virtual meetings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by maintaining physical distancing and reducing facility traffic.
Electronic health record (EHR) costs supportive of COVID-19 testing and mitigation.
Costs associated with the purchase, maintenance, or operation of proximity badge systems to prevent hospital traffic and limit exposure to COVID-19.