Using the Proper Method to Spend MIH Funding
Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) programs are increasingly supported through federal and state transformation funding. Because these dollars are public funds, how they are spent matters.
Proper procurement, documentation, and alignment with approved service models protect your agency and ensure long-term sustainability.
Why Spending Method Matters
MIH funding is often tied to defined service models, measurable outcomes, and state-approved program structures. Equipment, technology, and vendor selection must align with those frameworks.
Agencies should understand that:
-
MIH funding is subject to public procurement standards.
-
States must document how funds are deployed and why vendors were selected.
-
Program expenditures must align with approved service models and reporting requirements.
-
Improper procurement can delay implementation or jeopardize continued participation.
Spending decisions are not separate from program design. They are part of building a compliant, sustainable MIH model.
What Compliance Requires
Launching or expanding an MIH program involves more than purchasing equipment. Procurement decisions must support documentation, reporting, and service delivery expectations.
Competitive Procurement
Public funds must be spent through approved purchasing pathways. This may include competitively awarded contracts, cooperative purchasing agreements, or other state-recognized procurement methods.
Documentation
Agencies must maintain records supporting vendor selection, pricing methodology, and purchase justification. MIH programs often require additional documentation tied to billing, outcomes, and clinical protocols.
Audit Readiness
MIH initiatives are typically connected to performance metrics and long-term reporting. Agencies should expect oversight and ensure that procurement decisions can withstand review.
Cooperative Purchasing as a Compliant Path
Many public safety agencies use cooperative purchasing contracts to meet procurement requirements while moving programs forward efficiently.
Cooperative contracts are publicly solicited and competitively awarded by a lead agency. Vendors and pricing are established through a formal process, allowing participating agencies to purchase through an already compliant contract rather than conducting their own independent solicitation.
This approach can:
-
Reduce administrative burden
-
Support procurement compliance
-
Provide audit-ready documentation
-
Accelerate MIH program implementation
Examples of cooperative and public procurement pathways include:
National cooperative contracts that are designed specifically for public safety agencies.
A cooperative procurement organization offering publicly solicited contract vehicles for participating agencies.
Agencies should confirm that their selected procurement pathway aligns with their state’s MIH or transformation funding guidance.
What May Qualify Under MIH Funding
Eligible uses of MIH funding depend on each state’s approved program design and implementation framework. However, many MIH initiatives focus on expanding community-based care and improving care coordination.
Depending on state guidelines, qualifying investments may include:
-
Remote patient monitoring equipment
-
Point-of-care diagnostics
-
Telehealth integration tools
-
Community paramedicine response equipment
-
Clinical documentation and billing software
-
Workforce training and MIH certification support
-
Data collection and reporting infrastructure
Agencies should review state-specific requirements and confirm eligibility before committing funds.
Protect the Funding You Secure
Engaging early, aligning with state priorities, and following proper procurement pathways ensures your project remains funded and sustainable.