Program Profile
Shared Medical Appointments for Glycemic Management in Rural Veterans
Shared medical appointments provided rural diabetic veterans and their primary care providers with a program that decreased wait times, improved...
The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded more than $16 million to improve access to quality healthcare in rural communities. The awards include funding to expand use of telehealth technology for veterans and other patients.
Administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the awards will support 60 rural communities in 32 states, along with 7 Rural Health Research Centers.
Related: Shared Medical Appointments for Glycemic Management in Rural Veterans
Flex Rural Veterans Health Access Program will receive 3 awards of $300,000 for 3 years to use telehealth and health information technology to bring mental health and other health services to veterans in rural areas. The program began 3 years ago in collaboration with the VA Office of Rural Health, and has helped test the effectiveness of community partnerships that can be replicated in other remote areas.
Telehealth Network Grant Program will receive approximately $300,000 annually for 21 community health organizations for up to 3 years to help build sustainable telehealth programs and networks in medically underserved areas. The program particularly encourages teleconnections to School Based Health Centers; all networks receiving the award include at least 1.
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Seven Rural Health Research Centers will receive $700,000 annually for 4 years to conduct rural-focused health services research that helps health care providers and decision makers better understand the challenges faced by rural communities.
Another $4,065,624 will go to 21 member organizations of the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement project over 3 years. The organizations will use the money to improve the quality of care for populations with high rates of chronic conditions. The program focus on supporting rural primary care providers as they implement quality improvement activities and furthering coordination of care using evidence-based treatment.
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“These grants encourage and support collaboration at the community level, expanding and strengthening the safety net with networks of care in rural areas,” says FORHP Associate Administrator Tom Morris. “Collaboration among different providers of health and social services within a community means shared resources, shared expertise, and shared innovations.”