Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) – Funding & Opportunities

Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Hardship Exception Application
CMS eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) may be exempted from the Medicare Promoting Interoperability payment adjustment if they can show that compliance with the requirement for being a meaningful EHR user would result in a significant hardship. Eligible hospitals and CAHs may submit a hardship exception application each year for a maximum of 5 years.

New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program
Tax incentives for investments in business and economic development projects in distressed rural and urban counties, including capital investments in healthcare facilities. Investors give to Community Development Entities who then offer low-interest financing to businesses; in return for their investment, investors receive a tax credit against their federal income tax.

HUD Section 242: Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program
Loan and mortgage insurance program to help acute care hospital facilities with remodeling, expansion, modernization, equipment, refinancing, and acquisition. Critical Access Hospitals are eligible to apply.

NRHA Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program
A rural hospital leadership and certification program for current and future rural hospital CEOs.

NRHA Rural Hospital CFO Certification Program
A leadership and certification program for current Chief Financial Officers of rural hospitals.

NRHA Rural Hospital CNO Certification Program
A leadership and certification program for current Chief Nursing Officers of rural hospitals.

Primary Care Development Corporation Financing and Technical Assistance
Primary Care Development Corporation is a Community Development Financial Institution that provides loan products, training, resources, and technical assistance/business development services for healthcare providers in under-resourced communities with the goal of transforming and expanding primary care. Rural providers are encouraged to apply.

Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator
A 3-year initiative designed to eliminate rural health disparities by helping hospitals and clinicians provide high-quality evidence-based care. Assistance includes free access to evidence-based programs, consultants, networking, and recognition.

Rural Health Care Program – Healthcare Connect Fund
Provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of a consortium or a stand-alone entity.

340B Drug Pricing Program Inactive
Allows certain facilities, such as Critical Access Hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC look-alikes, to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at reduced cost.