INDEPENDENT RURAL HEALTH CLINIC

In 1977, Congress passed the Rural Health Clinic Services Act (PL 95-210), marking a significant milestone in health care policy. The legislation had two main goals: to significantly improve access to essential primary health care services in rural, underserved communities across the nation; and to promote a collaborative model of health care delivery that effectively utilizes the skills of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to provide comprehensive care. (Health Resources and Services Administration) As of March 2017, KOKO proudly achieved federal accreditation as the first Independent Rural Health Clinic in the beautiful State of Hawaiʻi! This remarkable achievement not only ensures that our practice standards are of the highest quality, but it also allows us to serve our Medically Underserved community more effectively, particularly benefiting individuals who rely on Medicaid and Medicare insurances. An "Independent" Rural Health Clinic signifies that KOKO’s governance is self-determining, which means that we are not owned or directed by a hospital, nursing home, or home health agency, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to community needs. The rigorous accreditation process required KOKO to successfully demonstrate that its facility and various organizational practices met and/or exceeded an extensive host of National Standards, which included evidence of high performance across all of the following critical domains: Corporate Compliance Administration, Human Resources, Quality Improvement, Risk Management, Equipment Management, Infection Control, Patient Services and Instruction, Pharmaceutical Services, Diagnostic Services, and Regulatory Standards. KOKO has consistently demonstrated operational and programmatic excellence, earning the prestigious Exemplary Provider Status designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services federal accreditation evaluators for an impressive seven consecutive years!

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