Rural Health Information Technology Network Development (RHITND) Program

The summary for the Rural Health Information Technology Network Development (RHITND) Program grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Rural Health Information Technology Network Development (RHITND) Program: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, authorized incentive payments through Medicare and Medicaid to clinicians and hospitals when they use electronic health records (EHR) privately and securely to achieve specified improvements in care delivery. HITECH's goal is not solely the adoption of EHR but "meaningful use" of EHRs; the use by providers to acheive significant improvements in care. The primary purpose of the Rural Health Health Information Technology Network Program is to support rural organizations in their ability to effectively achieve "meaningful use" requirements. The Rural Health Information Technology Network Program is authorized under Section 330A (f) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The purpose of the program is to expand access to, coordinate and improve the quality of essential health care services, and enhance the delivery of health care in rural areas. The program will support rural providers who work in formal networks, alliances, coalitions or partnerships in their effort to effectively acheive "meaningful use" requirements. Funds provided through this program are not used for direct delivery of services. Upon completion of the grant program, a network should have completed a thorough strategic planning process, business planning process, and have a sounds strategy in place for sustaining its operations. Some anticipated outcomes of supporting the development of rural health networks include: achieving economies of scale and cost efficiencies; increasing the financial viability of the network, enhancing professional development; enhancing workforce recruitment and retention; sharing staff and expertise across network members; enhancing the continuum of care; ensuring continuous quality improvement of the care provided by network members. It is anticipated that this will be a one-time funding opportunity to assist networks in attaining meaningful use standards for electronic health records and other HIT activities that will support the achievement of meaningful use. Some activities that can be supported by grant funds are as follows: workforce analysis; EHR strategic plan development; EHR training; purchase of HIT equipment; identify and locate certified HIT equipment vendors; and installation of broadband. Networks should have a history of organizational collaboration and must have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) prior to applying to this program. The Rural Health Information Technology Program supports HRSA's goals of improving access and quality of health care, improving health outcomes, and improving public health and health care systems. The Program also supports HHS goals to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of health care and to promote the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Please refer to http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/ or http://healthit.hhs.gov/standardsandcertification for more information regarding meaningful use and certification criteria.