Allowable Investments Search Tool

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.

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: 

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.

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.

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.

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: 

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.

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

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.  

Costs related to treatment or direct patient care.

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

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

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

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

Laboratory supplies and equipment for COVID-19 testing. 

Portable equipment (such as a portable x-ray machine) used to prevent patients from being moved throughout a facility. To be allowable, all portable equipment must be part of a hospital's larger COVID-19 mitigation plan.

Costs associated with the purchase, maintenance, or operation of proximity badge systems to prevent hospital traffic and limit exposure to COVID-19.

Sanitation and cleaning equipment (including disinfectant robots) to be used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Also includes ultraviolet sanitation devices.

Costs for testing using a simultaneous multi-disease test that must include COVID-19

Costs associated with increasing staff salaries, recruitment or retention bonuses, incentives, or benefits (such as hazard pay, employee childcare, housing allowances, travel allowance, meals, snacks, or other incentive benefits) recruitment, retention, bonuses, incentives, or benefits such as hazard pay, employee childcare, housing allowances, travel allowances (not associated with COVID-19 courier services), meals, snacks, or other incentive benefits. See Screening Staff, Testing Staff, Courier Staff, or Travel Nurse for more information.

Temperature screening systems to be used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. See COVID-19 Screening Staff as well.

Costs for testing, including procuring, providing, or processing COVID-19 tests (including at-home testing kits).

Vaccine purchases, dissemination (including boosters) of vaccinations, or supplies associated with COVID-19 vaccination (considered direct patient care). 

Costs associated with the purchase, maintenance, or operation of any hospital vehicle require pre-approval.