Lisa Garrity of the California Hospital Association briefed critical access hospitals on the CARE grant component of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility program. The grant cycle runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, and applicants may request up to $15,000 for a single project or related activities in the grant year.

Grants are competitive, limited by available funds, and require at least one quantifiable measure in the application. Projects the CHA has funded include improved ED throughput, discharge tools to raise HCAHPS scores, mobile mammography and community nutrition/training programs. Garrity said applicants must show a current baseline and a measurable goal; interim and final reporting are required.

The CHFT-administered Flex grant program offers recurring opportunities including monthly quality webinars, in-person technical assistance and an annual QI workshop; CHA encouraged hospitals to prepare applications in advance and to consult CHA staff for examples and technical help.

Garrity noted that while earlier applications were submitted as Word attachments, the program is moving to a virtual application form that prepopulates hospital city and streamlines submission and interim/final reporting. Hospitals that complete CARE projects are expected to share outcomes at virtual meetings or the QI workshop.

For more information and guidance, Garrity and CHA offered a contact and advised hospitals to begin drafting projects and identifying measures ahead of the application window.