Section 41-139-1 - COVID-19 Mississippi Local Provider Innovation Grant Program; definitions; purpose; application information; limitations on applications and grants; funding(1) As used in this section, the following terms shall be defined as provided in this subsection: (a) "Local health care provider" or "provider" means a facility that is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to provide health care in the ordinary course of business in the State of Mississippi, including, but not limited to, skilled nursing facilities, direct primary care clinics, provider owned clinics, rural health clinics, academic medical centers, community health centers and/or independent physician practices.(b) "Transitional assistance" means any assistance related to changing a provider's current health care delivery model to a model more appropriate for the community that the provider serves, including, but not limited to: (i) Conducting a market study of health care services needed and provided in the community;(ii) Acquiring and implementing new technological tools and infrastructure, including, but not limited to, telemedicine delivery methods, development of health information exchange platforms to electronically share medical records, electronic health record optimization, purchasing connected devices, upgrading digital devices, improving broadband connectivity, public health reporting, and implementing online or mobile patient appointment management applications; and(iii) Supporting the implementation of population health management.(2) There is established the COVID-19 Mississippi Local Provider Innovation Grant Program to be administered by the State Department of Health. The program and any grant awarded under the program shall be for the purpose of strengthening and improving the health care system and increasing access to health care services providers to help communities achieve and maintain optimal health by providing transitional assistance to providers. The department may award an innovation grant to a local health care provider that applies in accordance with this section.(3) Eligible local health care providers shall provide the following information to the department in their application for a grant:(a) A description of the location or locations for which the grant monies will be expended, including the name and locations of where the provider administers health care services;(b) A statement of the amount of grant monies requested;(c) A description of the needs of the provider, the transitional assistance for which the grant monies will be expended and how such transitional assistance will meet the stated needs;(d) Evidence that the provider has played an active role in the community to combat the spread of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, testing, vaccination and antibody treatment; and(e) Any other information that the department deems necessary to administer this section.(4) Applicants are limited to one (1) application per business entity as determined by the applicant's business filing status with the Secretary of State. Subsidiaries of the entity are not eligible to submit separate applications. Health systems that affiliate, own or control multiple clinics are only eligible to submit one (1) application under the parent entity. The department shall determine the amount of the grant to be awarded to each applicant based on the factors detailed in the application. Applicants for grants that were approved and funded in the first round of grants awarded during fiscal year 2023 are eligible to apply for the second round of grants awarded during fiscal year 2024. The maximum amount of any one (1) grant that may be awarded to an applicant is Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00). Grants may be used for reimbursement of expenses of transitional assistance meeting federal and state requirements that were incurred by providers during the period beginning on March 3, 2021, through December 31, 2024.(5) The department may expend up to one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) of the amount appropriated for the program for the expenses of administering the program, or the specific amount authorized for administrative expenses in the appropriation bill if that amount is higher.Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 399, HB 518,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 507, SB 2820,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2022.