An Interim Evaluation Report of the Innovative Projects Portfolio of the Flex Program (FMT Briefing Paper #37)

Authors

Sara Kahn-Troster MPH, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
John A. Gale MS, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Anush Yousefian Hansen MS,MA, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Andrew F. Coburn PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow

Document Type

Briefing Paper

Publication Date

1-2018

Keywords

Rural, Flex Program, hospitals, innovation, Critical Access hospitals, MRHRC, rural hospitals, telehealth, care coordination, quality improvement

Abstract

In the most recent competitive grant cycle (FY2015-17), the Flex Program included an optional new program area focused on rural health system innovations—Program Area 5: Integration of Innovative Health Care Models (Innovative Projects)—to address needs not covered by the other core areas of the grant program. The Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) has undertaken an evaluation of the states participating in this new program area, with a particular focus on activities involving the transition to value-based care, telehealth, care coordination, quality improvement, and system delivery in rural communities. This report provides background on the Flex Program and the Innovative Projects program area. With a focus on the projects and implementation experiences of seven states participating in the Flex Monitoring Team evaluation, we describe the states’ projects and desired outcomes, and discuss initial evaluation observations.

Comments

For more information on this study, please contact Sara Kahn-Troster at sara.kahntroster@maine.edu

Funding Organization

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Grant Number

PHS Grant No. U27RH01080

Recommended Citation

Kahn-Troster S, Gale J, Hansen A, Coburn A. An Interim Evaluation Report of the Innovative Projects Portfolio of the Medicare Flex Grant Program. Portland, ME: Flex Monitoring Team, University of Southern Maine; January, 2018. Briefing Paper #37.