Transition checklist for rural providers

Many rural providers are reinventing themselves to navigate a changing healthcare environment. Here’s a road map to chart a transition:

Assess demographics

Survey your immediate community and broader region to identify service gaps or potential overlap. If there are redundant services, ask other providers to partner to help scale up.

Engage the community

Host town halls, radio shows and other community events to convey the proposed changes. Ask residents what they want and need from a provider.

Verify your financial state

Ask a third party to review Medicare cost reports, insurance plans and other finances. If accounting is outsourced, review internally.

Explore untapped revenue sources

There’s a range of federal and state funding sources that could serve your hospital. Also look to outsource your real estate management and other noncore services. If you are eliminating a wing at the hospital, see how you could rent out the space to primary-care providers or outpatient services, for instance.

Talk with larger providers; they have incentives to keep you afloat

Treating low-acuity patients is not the core function of large health systems. They may be willing to extend some of their administrative and management services, telehealth capabilities and other functions that can help keep your doors open.

Form regional partnerships with other providers

Find other like-minded independent providers in your state and beyond. Ideally, you could bundle purchases to negotiate better rates with suppliers, consolidate revenue-cycle management or boost referral networks.