Page 80 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Accessibility: Design of spaces, products and services that allows for entrance and navigation
by people with disabilities . When designing your mobile health vehicle, be sure to make door-
ways and the interior configuration easily accessible to the disabled.

Accountable Care Organization (ACO): A group of healthcare providers and health systems
that offer coordinated care to Medicare patients in order to create efficiencies and improve health
outcomes . ACOs that achieve these outcomes share in cost savings . Because ACOs work to-
ward community health goals, they can act as parent organizations, partners or possible funders
for your mobile healthcare program .

Broadband router: A device that delivers high-speed access to the internet from a modem to a
group of computers . An onboard broadband router is one connectivity option to consider if you
intend to access client records online or transfer client data .

Business case: Your program’s value proposition . Your business case demonstrates the in-
creased value your program can deliver once you receive funding or resources . You’ll need to
develop a clear and compelling business case in order to secure the funding you need to serve
the community .

Business plan: A proposal that documents which communities you’ll serve, how you’ll serve
them and the return the parent organization will receive on their investment . A business plan is
key when securing funding from investors like community organizations or hospital groups .

Care or service model: The clinical aspect of your program . Factors like community need, cost
and funding options will all help shape your model of care or service .

Class A Motorhome or Coach: The largest base vehicle type utilized by mobile healthcare
programs. At 36 to 44 feet long, Class A motorhomes offer the most flexibility, comfort and ame-
nities . Each vehicle starts as a rolling chassis to which the health vehicle manufacture adds the
coach body . Class A coaches may come with four to six axles and up to four slide-outs .

Class B Motorhome or Van: A full-size van onto which a medical interior and hardware are in-
stalled. Class B vehicles are readily serviced by most dealerships and often achieve significantly
better fuel economy than Class A vehicles. Some feature extended fiberglass tops to create more
interior space and headroom .

Class C Motorhome: Class C motorhomes start as a cab and chassis unit to which the appropri-
ate medical body is added . The cabs themselves may be a full-size pickup or medium-duty com-
mercial truck . The latest versions of these vehicles may be as long as 40 feet, with two slide-outs .

Code compliance: Vehicle manufacturing requirements mandated by the local, state, provincial
or federal government . These include, but are not limited to, voltage, propane usage and storage,
lighting, number of axles, air brake requirements and handicapped access. If you use an out-of-
state manufacturer, make sure they are well-versed in your local code requirements.

7 8 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE