Rural Health Systems · Readiness · 4 min read
What's the first step for rural health systems and hospitals to access RHTP funding?
The first step for rural health systems and hospitals is to identify the state agency holding the RHTP award and monitor its solicitations, then map an existing or planned program to the right allowable-use categories. Rural systems are frequently direct sub-recipients of state RHTP solicitations and often anchor regional partnerships.
Start with your state
Because states apply and are accountable; sub-recipients (providers, plans, vendors) deliver, your entry point is your state's mechanism, not CMS. Find the agency, read its plan, and watch for RFAs and grants.
Then map your program
Pick a program you can run well: for rural health systems and hospitals, something like service-line stabilization (OB, ED, behavioral health), and align it to additional uses that promote sustainable access, and payments to providers for items or services with a measurement plan around service availability and avoided closures.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I find my state's RHTP activity?
- The RHTP Tracker aggregates state and federal RHTP documents and opportunities so you can monitor each state's solicitations in one place.
Figures reflect the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program NOFO and the December 2025 award announcement. RHTP Tracker is an independent resource by Moodr Health and is not affiliated with CMS.