Montana

Montana's RHTP implementation advances with planned funding distributed via competitive procurements and grants. The Center of Excellence board structure is under development, focusing on rural facility sustainability. Montana Hospital Association prepares members for upcoming funding opportunities with millions allocated for analytics, implementation, school-based care, and talent attraction. Event schedule: - Release of first RFPs - March 2026 - Release of 8 competitive procurements and 5 grant awards - September 2026

Montana is awarded $233,509,359 in RHTP federal funds for fiscal year 2026, ranking fourth highest nationally. The announcement sets the stage for implementing Montana's RHTP initiatives. Event schedule: - Application are due . - May 22 - Posted on 05/05/26 | RHTP Latest News | Read More - The first meeting of the RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee is - Jan. 22 - Posted on 01/19/26 | RHTP Latest News | Read More

Montana DPHHS is launching a five-year, federally-funded Rural Health Transformation Program with $233 million allocated to workforce, facility sustainability, care innovation, prevention, and technology. The program aims to strengthen rural health systems, expand access, and drive innovation through collaborative multi-stakeholder core initiatives. The RHTP is hiring multiple new team members for its term-limited transformation effort. Key contacts: Director's Office; DPHHS Director; DPHHS Deputy Director; Medicaid Director Event schedule: - Federal funding period end - 09/30/2030

Montana was awarded $233 million by CMS for its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the fourth largest award nationally. This five-year program supports workforce development, rural facility sustainability, innovative care, community health, and technology modernization. Implementation is launching with major procurements expected to begin in March 2026; subgranting and initiative details will follow as budgets are finalized. Key contacts: HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov Event schedule: - Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting - January 22, 2026 - 10:00 AM MT - See agenda - First procurement opportunities posting - March 2026 - Montana state procurement site and RHTP website - Annual reporting due to CMS - July - Quarterly report Q2 due - Feb 2026

The Montana Hospital Association announced its response to the state's RFI for the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The Montana Health Research and Education Foundation is positioned to serve as the primary fiscal and strategic partner if the state secures federal funding. Event schedule: - State RFI issued - August 2025 - Montana

The Center of Excellence will analyze rural health supply and demand to provide recommendations tailored to county and facility levels. It aims to help facilities achieve independent financial sustainability and offers incentives for those implementing recommended improvements. Two Requests for Proposals have been issued to secure vendors for strategic analysis and implementation support roles. Event schedule: - CoE Strategy Vendor RFP Close - 05/15/2026 - 2:00 PM MT - bids.mt.gov - Implementation Partner RFP Close - 05/21/2026 - 2:00 PM MT - bids.mt.gov

Montana DPHHS is advancing the RHTP procurement process and issued an update to help vendors prepare for upcoming funding opportunities. A vendor webinar is scheduled for March 11, 2026 to provide guidance for those interested. Event schedule: - RHTP Vendor Webinar - March 11, 2026 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT - webinar

This document provides comprehensive FAQ guidance for vendors using the Submittable platform to apply for all RHTP Applications, including step-by-step instructions from account creation to file submission. It details collaboration options, submission status tracking, and technical troubleshooting steps. Key resources and technical support hours are also provided. Event schedule: - Technical Support Hours - Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MT - Submittable Help Center

Montana's RHTP received $233 million to strengthen rural healthcare across five initiatives. This document provides detailed guidance on how to use the Submittable platform for submitting grant applications starting April-June 2026. Key contacts: support@submittable.com Event schedule: - Application Window - April-June 2026 - Online via Submittable platform

Montana received a $233 million CMS Rural Health Transformation Program award to launch five strategic initiatives, including workforce development, facility sustainability, innovation in care models, preventive infrastructure, and technology deployment. Implementation includes standing up governance, hiring new staff, releasing procurements, and launching incentive payments for providers. The Center of Excellence will oversee facility transformation and provider support with milestones scheduled through 2028. Key contacts: Rebecca de Camara Event schedule: - Virtual vendor fair - March 11, 2026 - RHTP newsletter release - March 20, 2026 - CMS Program Officer site visit - Q2 2026 - CMS Annual Report 1 due - Q3 2026

Montana's RHTP outlines $233 million in funding distributed across five core initiatives addressing workforce, financial sustainability, innovative care models, community health, and technology. The program emphasizes partnerships with labor and health organizations to tailor solutions for rural healthcare challenges.

Montana Medicaid Expansion served over 76,700 individuals each month in Q2 2025, including a significant Native American/Alaskan Indian population. State revenues to the HELP Act fund exceeded $12.7M for the quarter, and federal expenditures for Medicaid expansion surpassed $860M for SFY 2025. Participant engagement in preventive and wellness activities remained high, and Montana submitted a new community engagement waiver to CMS in September 2025.

This CMS summary compiles high-level FY26 applications from multiple states for the Rural Health Transformation Program. All states address workforce, quality, IT modernization, and access barriers, often tailoring models to local needs. Award amounts at the state level are listed for reference, but no explicit sub-award recipients are identified in this summary.

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Legislation, allocates $50 billion over five years to States for rural health system transformation. Awards will be issued annually based on approved State applications and rural metrics, supporting activities such as quality improvement, workforce development, advanced technology, and value-based care. Strategic goals focus on improving access, workforce, innovation, technology, and population health. Key contacts: MAHARural@cms.hhs.gov Event schedule: - State application submission deadline - 11/05/2025 - Award date - 12/29/2025 - Annual reporting due - Quarterly reporting - Annual Rural Health Transformation Summit

This FY2026 Annual Plan outlines Montana DPHHS’s ambitious quality and efficiency directives, including key behavioral health system reforms, Medicaid expansion changes, child welfare improvements, EHR/billing modernization, and fraud investigation process enhancements. It stresses high standards, data-driven accountability, and targeted measures across Medicaid and rural health systems. Measurable targets are set for health, workforce, program integrity, performance reporting, and administrative improvement.

Montana proposes to transform rural health through five integrated initiatives focused on workforce, financial solvency, modernizing care, technology innovation, and partnerships. Key priorities include improving chronic disease, behavioral health, and maternal outcomes, increasing access via telehealth and EMS modernization, and stabilizing rural hospital economics. Strategic targets aim to raise rural provider density, improve health metrics, and reach sustainable financial margins for rural facilities by 2031.

Montana received $233 million in federal CMS RHTP funding, the fourth highest nationwide, dedicated to implementing five strategic initiatives. An extensive governance and stakeholder structure is in place, including a formal Advisory Committee. The program focuses on workforce, rural hospital sustainability, EMS modernization, population health, and technology upgrades with explicit annual and quarterly reporting to CMS.

Montana received $233,509,359 for federal fiscal year 2026, the fourth-highest in the nation, with anticipated funds exceeding $1 billion over five years. The funding will support five key initiatives outlined by DPHHS and administered through competitive procurements and grants. MHA and MHREF play active roles in partnership and program support, emphasizing workforce development and sustainable rural access. Key contacts: Shani Rich shani.rich@mtha.org Event schedule: - DPHHS accepting CoE Advisory Council applications - 05/22/2026 - Stakeholder interest survey opens - 05/13/2026 - Initial RHTP funding expected - 03/01/2026 - Procurement and contract awarding ends - 06/2026 - Grant programs awarded - 09/2026

Montana created the Rural Health Transformation Center of Excellence Advisory Council to provide recommendations for aligning rural health care delivery with local needs, improve financial sustainability, and maintain critical service access. The council will have up to 25 members drawn from diverse rural health stakeholders and expire in 2028 unless renewed. Key contacts: Gene Hermanson ghermanson2@mt.gov Event schedule: - Council member appointments - June 2026 - Council expiration unless renewed - April 17, 2028

Document is an agenda for the first Stakeholder Committee Meeting covering RHTP updates, governance model, committee charter, and workplan priorities.