Allowable Investments Search Tool

Identifying allowable investments for a SHIP-eligible hospital does not have to be a daunting task! This search tool created by SHIP-TA through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy helps state coordinators and hospitals navigate the possibilities.
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90 results found

ACO Fees

Allowable
Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

Updated January 2023

ACO costs are an allowable investment under the ACO category. The hospital should identify how they will define progress to align with the state office’s SHIP goals.

Allowable investment

Alterations and Renovations (A&R)

Unallowable

Updated January 2023

Changes, additions, or demolition to hospital facilities (internal and external) are an unallowable expense. This includes alterations and renovations that may improve a SHIP category area such as patient safety. 

Some unallowable expenses include but are not limited to: 

Removing Walls Adding Walls Doorway additions/removals
Firebreaks Carpet Replacement Counter Replacement
Tile Replacement Window Additions/Replacement Restroom Upgrades/Fixes
Fixture Installation Hardwired Internet Installation Footage Increases/Decreases
Sidewalk Installation/Repair Sidewalk Upgrades Parking Lot Maintenance
Landscaping Accessibility Additions/Changes Drainage
Covered Walkways Directional Signage Roofing Upgrades/Fixes
HVAC Upgrades/Fixes Sprinkler Systems  

 

Unallowable investment

Certification (Definition)

Definition

Certification is defined as achieving benchmark outcomes (such as passing a test or inspection) in support of the desired skill, upgrade, or acknowledgment and is utilized in a manner to increase the value (or perception) of a person, business, or program. Certifications and associated costs are unallowable.

This card is a definition to help users understand the application of SHIP spending categories and expenses. Definitions found in the SHIP Allowable Investment Search Tool may not be the same as the Federal Government's (or departments within) definition.

Definition

Conferences

PO Pre-Approval
Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
Payment Bundling (PB)/Prospective Payment System (PPS)
Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Investment

Updated September 2023

Conferences may be allowable for hospital staff if most of the training sessions are within SHIP allowable investment categories. Costs for CMEs or CEUs or travel associated with the conference are unallowable. Project Officer approval is required for attendance. Please email the conference agenda along with session titles and corresponding SHIP categories to your Project Officer and ship-ta@ruralcenter.org.

Requires project officer pre-approval.

Consulting

Definition

Consulting is defined as the hiring or contracting of a vendor or person to provide non-guaranteed guidance on a specific subject, area, program, or activity and is an unallowable expense. SHIP-approved training given by a person or business going by the title of "consultant" is an allowable expense.

This card is a definition to help users understand the application of SHIP spending categories and expenses. Definitions found in the SHIP Allowable Investment Search Tool may not be the same as the Federal Government's (or departments within) definition.

Definition

Contract (Definition)

Definition

Application: Contract is defined here for reference to contracting services (i.e. building, employment, alterations and renovations, etc.).

A contract is defined as a legally binding document guaranteeing reciprocal services by a vendor or person in exchange for a pre-determined payment.

Note: Some allowable training consultants, programs, and services require an agreement or contract execution.

This card is a definition to help users understand the application of SHIP spending categories and expenses. Definitions found in the SHIP Allowable Investment Search Tool may not be the same as the Federal Government's (or departments within) definition.

Definition

Contractors, Consulting, and Reviews

Unallowable

Updated January 2023

(Excluding HCAHPS and Chargemaster Review)

Contractor and consulting fees, services, and payments (recurring or one-time) are unallowable. This includes contracting for a consultant to review current operations under an approved SHIP category. 

Some unallowable expenses include but are not limited to: 

Architecture Designs Outside Employee Contracts Retainer Fees
Program Evaluation/Consulting Vendor Consultation Alterations and Renovations

Note: It is understood that some companies providing "training" in an approved SHIP category may refer to themselves as a consultant or contractor. Please e-mail SHIP-TA@ruralcenter.org if clarification is needed.

Unallowable investment

COVID-19 Automation

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Addition of automated doors, sinks, toilets, soap dispensers, etc. for the purpose of COVID-19 mitigation.

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Communication Equipment

COVID PO Pre-Approval
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs associated with the purchase, maintenance, or usage of communication equipment including 2-way radios, electronic messaging boards for COVID-19 testing and mitigation, nurse call systems, and video streaming equipment. 

Covid requires project officer pre-approval

COVID-19 Community Testing and Mitigation

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

The cost associated with COVID-19 testing education at hospitals and community locations including home health, hospice, and long-term care.

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Construction

COVID Unallowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Construction costs, including, but are not necessarily limited to permanent building additions, new permanent buildings, permanent building expansions, modular buildings (and installations), increasing the footprint of the facility, significant new ground disturbance, and projects with a total cost of $500,000 or more.  

Covid unallowable

COVID-19 Courier Staff

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs associated with staff couriering COVID-19 tests to a laboratory. 

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Digital Meeting Technology (Software)

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

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. 

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Direct Patient Care

COVID Unallowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs related to treatment or direct patient care.

Covid unallowable

COVID-19 Education Materials

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

COVID-19 related education materials (including vaccination education materials) for dissemination to the public. 

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Electronic health record (EHR) costs supportive of COVID-19 testing and mitigation. 

Allowable investment

COVID-19 Employee Burnout and Mental Health

COVID PO Pre-Approval
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs associated with designing and implementing employee burnout/mental health strategies require pre-approval.

Covid requires project officer pre-approval

COVID-19 EMS Support

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Supporting EMS as it relates to COVID-19 testing and mitigation efforts, and as part of a system improvement process

Covid allowable

COVID-19 GlideScope

COVID Unallowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs associated with purchasing, maintaining, or operating a GlideScope™ or other similar equipment which allows for video laryngoscope (considered direct patient care).

Covid unallowable

COVID-19 HVAC

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Purchasing and installing HVAC and associated expenses to improve COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Ionized Filtration

Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Purchasing and installing ionized filtration systems for HVAC units to improve COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Allowable investment

COVID-19 Isolation Areas

Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Alterations and renovations that do not qualify as construction to create isolation areas for potential COVID-19 patients

Allowable investment

COVID-19 Laboratory Supplies

COVID Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Laboratory supplies and equipment for COVID-19 testing. 

Covid allowable

COVID-19 Minor Alterations or Renovations (A/R)

COVID PO Pre-Approval
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Minor alterations or renovations that exceed 50% of the hospital's total American Rescue Plan (ARP) award.

Covid requires project officer pre-approval

COVID-19 Mitigation Activities

Allowable
SHIP ARP COVID-19 Testing & Mitigation

Costs associated with mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and other related respiratory diseases. For the purpose of the SHIP Testing and Mitigation grants, activities that mitigate negative outcomes at the patient level through direct patient care are not allowable. See direct patient care.

Allowable investment