Page 20 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Start by engaging in an open and transparent dialogue with management about the needs of the
target community, your objectives in meeting those needs and how closely they align with the
larger goals of the organization . The better your Program can help them execute an overall strate-
gy, the likelier it is you’ll receive the funding you need . At the same time, they may be able to pro-
vide valuable public relations and marketing for your Program, without dipping into your budget .

Some questions to ask early on:

• Is the hospital already part of an Accountable Care Organization, which may benefit from
the cost-savings of diverted ED visits?

• Is there not just support, but also understanding and commitment, from those at the top
of the hierarchy for this program?

• Does your hospital/clinic need to revise their scope of practice to incorporate mobile
health/community outreach?

• Is the primary need of the parent organization to increase client referrals, honor its mis-
sion to community service, boost public relations or something else?

• Will the parent organization provide all funding, or will you have to source grants or bill
for service?

• Can the hospital provide clinical and/or non-clinical volunteers for the mobile program?

• Is there an internal marketing plan to raise awareness among staff members?

• How often will the mobile program report to the parent organization on progress?

• How will return on investment be measured?

• Is there a channel set up to drive success stories to the parent organization’s public re-
lations and marketing teams so they can share in their materials?

• What policies and procedures exist for the parent organization that may need to be ad-
justed for mobile?

• Are there any policies or procedures for mobile that conflict with the parent organization?
Have these been approved by the right people on both sides?

18 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE