Rural Health - Florida Department of Health

The Office of Rural Health works to improve access to high-quality health care services in Florida’s communities by:

Establishing and maintaining a clearinghouse to collect and share information on rural health issues, research findings relating to rural health care, and innovative approaches to health care delivery
Coordinating rural health activities statewide, including efforts to prevent duplication of services
Identifying federal, state, and non-governmental rural health programs and providing technical assistance to public and private entities

The state of Florida defines rural as:

A county with a population of 75,000 or less
A county with a population of 125,000 or less which is contiguous to a county of 75,000 or less
Any municipality within a county as described above (section 288.0656, Florida Statutes)

Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program
Provides funding to support quality and financial improvement consultation for small rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals (CAHs).
Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP)
Provides funding to small rural hospitals to help them transition to value-based reimbursement, payment bundling, and participation in accountable care organizations.
Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Support
Contracts with the Florida Association of Rural EMS Providers to provide enhanced training to EMS personnel in rural areas as a way to address high turnover rates.
Rural Health Networks and Local Health Councils
Works with rural health networks and local health councils to ensure coordination of the Department’s rural health care activities, programs, and policies.

Florida’s Rural Counties

Source: Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, 2020 Census County and Cities Profiles (PL 94-171)

Resources