Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP)

Summary

Since 2002, HRSA-funded AzSHIP supports 14 of Arizona's 17 CAHs with grants of $11,000 per hospital annually. Funds are used for fiscal and quality improvement in three investment categories: Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) or Shared Savings, and Payment Bundling or Prospective Payment Systems (PB/PPS). 2025 focus includes community paramedicine hardware, tele-pharmacy hardware, and cybersecurity risk assessment and software.

Eligibility

Arizona Critical Access Hospitals with fewer than 25 beds, 35+ miles from another facility, operating a 24/7 emergency department. Currently 14 of 17 AZ CAHs participate.

Requirements Checklist

• Applicants must submit a completed project description outlining fiscal and quality improvement initiatives in one or more investment categories (Value-Based Purchasing, Accountable Care Organizations/Shared Savings, Payment Bundling/Prospective Payment Systems). Required documentation includes a budget worksheet and proof of eligibility as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). Participation is limited to Arizona CAHs meeting HRSA criteria: fewer than 25 beds, at least 35 miles from another facility, and operates a 24/7 emergency department.

Required attachments

• Project Description
• Budget Worksheet