New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

New Hampshire State Flex Program

What is one Core Competency your state Flex Program is working on developing through Flex activities?

Core Competency: Improving Financial Sustainability

In New Hampshire, the Rural Health Manager provided each Critical Access Hospital (CAHs) with a financial report utilizing Flex Monitoring Team data that reviewed each CAHs’ financial indicators.  Comparison of each CAHs’ financial indicators, identified 3 financial indicators that the majority of the CAHs were not trending in a favorable direction.  Utilizing 10 financial webinars, 50% of the CAHs will improve in at least one of these financial indicators in the upcoming flex grant year   During the current Flex grant year, CAHs have participated in Revenue Cycle Management training modules.  The CAHs have completed 6 of the 9 module training during the current Flex grant year.  The 3 remaining module trainings will be provided in the upcoming Flex grant year.  These remaining modules will review Medicare beneficiary regulations, Medicare Advanced Beneficiary Notices, and claims denials. The CAHs will also have the opportunity to have individual financial assessments provided by a subcontractor.   Assessment results will identify a set of recommendations on which 5 priority action plans will be developed.  The subcontractor will provide guidance, resources, and follow through to ensure all improvement activities are completed in 18 months.

What is one activity your state is funding through SHIP?

Health equity and social determinants of health are some of the activities that SHIP funds is focusing on in this coming SHIP grant year.  The SHIP funds will support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in identifying individuals most at risk for unequal care in their service areas and determining what services are needed for these individuals through data analysis.  These funds will provide opportunities for peer learning, individual consultation, and other resources to assist each CAH in reaching its organizational goals to ensure equal care for each individual seen. A subcontracted subject matter expert will meet with each CAH to gather information and data regarding the CAHs’ current status in identifying health differences that are closely linked to social, economic, and environmental disadvantages.  The subject matter expert will also identify opportunities and develop recommendations for each CAH regarding steps to take to utilize best practices to ensure every individual provided services in their service area is treated equally.