Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) www.hrsa.gov awarded $63 million in ACA funding to expand quality improvement systems in 1,153 health centers in fifty states, the District of Columbia and seven U.S. territories. Health Centers will use the funds to expand current quality improvement systems and infrastructure and improve primary care service delivery in the communities that they serve.
One category will award $43.7 million to go to 1,153 health center quality leaders, if the centers achieve the best overall clinical outcomes and demonstrate a dedication to quality in all aspects of clinical operations. 389 health centers have received funding in this category for $13.8 million.
In another category, EHR reporters can receive funding if they use EHRs to report clinical quality measure data for all patients. 491 health centers received funding in this category for $7.3 million.
Clinical quality improvers will receive funding if they improved care in one or more clinical quality measures between 2013 and 2014 demonstrating a significant improvement to their patients’ health. 993 health centers received funding in this category for $19.7 million.
National quality leaders will receive funding if they met or exceeded national clinical quality benchmarks for chronic disease management, preventive care, perinatal/prenatal care, and demonstrate how health centers’ play a critical role in improving quality healthcare nationwide. 61 health centers received funding in this category for $2.9 million
Access Awards for $9.7 million were made available to 340 health centers. Funding was awarded for increasing the total number of patients served and the number of patients that received comprehensive services between 2013 and 2014. 340 health centers received funding in this category for $9.7 million.
The last category involving high value awards for $9.9 million went to 139 health centers. High value health centers received funding for improving cost efficient care delivery as compared to the national average while also increasing quality of care and access to comprehensive services. 139 health centers received funding in this category for $9.9 million.
For a list of FY 2015 Quality Improvement Awards recipients, go to http://bphc.hrsa.gov/programopportunities/fundingopportunities/quality/improvement/index.html