The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (MBQIP) is a national initiative that helps Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) report and use quality data to drive care improvement. Since 2015, VPQHC has served as the MBQIP program manager in Vermont on behalf of the Vermont Department of Health – State Office of Rural Health.

Through MBQIP, CAHs voluntarily report standardized quality data aligned with the MBQIP core measure set. Vermont has historically achieved 100% participation in MBQIP, reflecting the strong commitment of Vermont's CAHs in advancing quality and safety at their hospitals.

MBQIP focuses on key areas such as patient safety, outpatient and inpatient care, care transitions, and patient experience. VPQHC provides hospitals with technical assistance for reporting data and implementing quality programs, facilitates data interpretation, and convenes peer learning opportunities to promote shared strategies and sustained quality improvement. This work strengthens the capacity of Vermont’s rural hospitals to deliver high-quality care closer to home.