Flex Monitoring Team

The Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) is a dedicated consortium of researchers affiliated with the Universities of Minnesota, North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Southern Maine. Funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, FMT's mission centers on evaluating the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program, primarily supporting Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) across the United States. These hospitals play a crucial role in delivering healthcare to rural communities, ensuring they meet federal standards to receive 101% reimbursement for services provided to Medicare patients.

FMT passionately focuses on improving health care accessibility, quality, and financial stability for CAHs. Their extensive research process involves tracking quality performance data, financial analysis, and community engagement strategies. Through initiatives like the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project and the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS), FMT produces valuable reports and resources aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of CAHs. By fostering collaboration with key partners, the FMT works tirelessly to bolster health outcomes for rural populations across 45 states.