Grant Application Requirements

5.03 Grant Application Requirements. (1) An eligible Applicant is a qualified acute hospital, as determined by the Commission at the time of issuance of an RFP, using the best available data from the Center. (2) All requests for grant funding must support the Commonwealth’s goals to improve the health of its residents, improve the access and quality of care, including patient experience, and reduce health care cost growth. All requests should further support one or more of the following purposes: (a) to improve and enhance the ability of community hospitals to serve populations effectively, including but not limited to enhancing care coordination, advancing integration of behavioral and physical health services, promoting evidence-based care practices and efficient care delivery, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services; (b) to advance the adoption of health information technology, including interoperable electronic health records systems and clinical support tools; (c) to accelerate the ability to electronically exchange information with other providers to ensure continuity of care and enhanced coordination across the continuum of providers and organizations in the community served by the Applicant; (d) to support infrastructure investments necessary for the transition to alternative payment methodologies, including investments in data analysis functions and performance management programs, including systems to promote provider price transparency, necessary to aggregate and analyze clinical data on a population level to facilitate appropriate and evidence-based interventions and care management practices, especially for vulnerable populations and those with complex health care needs; (e) to aid in the development of care practices and other operational standards necessary for certification as an accountable care organization or patient centered medical home under M.G.L. c. 6D, §§ 14 and 15; (f) to improve the affordability and quality of care, including but not limited to increasing access to behavioral health services, and coordination between hospitals and community- based providers and organizations; or (g) to plan or develop grant proposals supporting one or more of the purposes in 958 CMR 5.03(2)(a) through (f).