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By Hope Ladner, MAFP Lobbyist
Start Preparing!
Senate Bill 2820, which Gov. Reeves signed into law Monday, creates the Mississippi Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, which will go into effect July 1, 2022. Funded by the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, Mississippi doctors can request a maximum of $250,000 in grant funds.
Who is eligible?
Any provider that played an active role in the community to combat the spread of COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to, testing, vaccination, and antibody treatment.
In the law, the definition of “Provider” includes nursing facilities, direct primary care clinics, provider-owned clinics, community health centers and/or independent physician practices. (Note: Only one application per business entity may be submitted. Health systems, regardless of number of individual clinics under its umbrella, may only apply for one grant.)
Goal: To help providers make changes to their current health care delivery model to a model more appropriate for the community the provider serves. Changes can include (but are not limited to):
-- Conducting a market study of health care services needed and provided in the community
-- Acquiring and implementing new technological tools and infrastructure (e.g., telemedicine needs, health information exchange platforms, electronic health record optimization, connected devices, improving broadband, online or mobile patient appointment management applications.)
-- Supporting the implementation of population health management
Logistics: The MS State Department of Health will administer the program. The maximum amount you may request is $250,000. I highly recommend you submit a proposal requesting and justifying receiving the full amount. I also highly recommend that you start preparing the request now. We will keep you informed on details for applying as they are released by the department.
To read the entire text of the bill, click here.
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