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.
CHNAs are a fundamental part of health care operations.
Conducting a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey for population health analysis does not qualify as an allowable investment as it isn’t training, equipment, or software in the ACO category, which covers population health. A population health analysis would however be allowable a Program activity.
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.
Any training to support coding and reimbursement, documentation, or documentation improvements that result in increased coding compliance are allowable.
Security camera and security systems used to provide ongoing and operational security and safety are not allowable uses of SHIP funds.
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).