What Is the Rural Health Transformation Program?
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a landmark $50 billion federal initiative created under Section 71401 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Administered by CMS, the program distributes $10 billion annually from FY2026 through FY2030 to all 50 states through cooperative agreements — no state matching funds required.
RHTP is designed to transform rural healthcare by investing in infrastructure, technology, workforce, and care delivery models that create lasting, sustainable improvements for rural communities. Learn more about RHTP on our hub page.
Five Strategic Goals
Montana’s RHTP Program
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- Center of Excellence (CoE) initiative with competitive proposals
- Telehealth infrastructure expansion across frontier communities
- Workforce recruitment and retention for isolated areas
- Health IT modernization and interoperability
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee with 600+ participants
Unique Aspects of Montana’s Program
- 4th highest award nationally despite smaller population — reflecting strong plan quality
- Up to $1.2 billion over five years potential
- Center of Excellence (CoE) RFPs posted at bids.mt.gov — Strategy & Analytics component closed May 1, 2026; additional RFPs rolling
- Vendor webinar held March 11, 2026 — actively engaging technology partners
- 600+ stakeholders at first advisory committee meeting (January 22, 2026)
- CMS final budget approval February 19, 2026 — now in competitive bidding phase
How Technology Supports RHTP in Montana
The Interoperability Challenge
Rural healthcare facilities face significant technology gaps compared to their urban counterparts. Nationally, only 48% of rural hospitals have achieved basic interoperability, compared to 62% of urban hospitals. This data-sharing gap directly impacts care quality, coordination, and outcomes for rural patients.
RHTP’s Strategic Goal 5 specifically targets technology innovation, including a Technology Innovation Catalyst Fund that supports interoperability, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, AI-enabled health tools, and cybersecurity.
How Julota Addresses RHTP Technology Requirements
Julota is a cloud-based SaaS interoperability platform purpose-built for the challenges rural healthcare organizations face. Here’s how Julota supports RHTP goals in Montana:
- FHIR-Native Interoperability: Julota’s platform supports HL7 FHIR APIs and G10 compliance, meeting the interoperability standards required by RHTP and the 21st Century Cures Act. Learn about Julota’s platform.
- Health Information Exchange Connectivity: Connect rural providers across Montana to state and regional HIEs, enabling real-time data sharing that improves care coordination and reduces duplication.
- Care Coordination & Closed-Loop Referrals: Julota’s closed-loop referral management ensures patients don’t fall through the cracks — critical for rural communities where follow-up can require long-distance travel.
- MIH-CP & Community Paramedicine Support: Julota’s MIH-CP solution supports the mobile integrated health and community paramedicine models that many states are funding under RHTP.
RHTP Eligibility in Montana
RHTP funds flow from CMS to Montana through a cooperative agreement. The state then distributes funds to eligible subrecipients through competitive processes.
Eligible Organization Types
- Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) — Rural hospitals with 25 or fewer beds
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — Community health centers serving underserved populations
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) — Clinics in designated shortage areas
- Community Behavioral Health Providers — Including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) — Ambulance services and first responders
- Tribal Health Organizations — Indian Health Service and tribal facilities
- Local Health Departments — County and regional public health agencies
- Universities and Training Programs — Workforce development partners
How to Apply
Organizations in Montana should contact DPHHS (Department of Public Health and Human Services) for subrecipient application details. Most states distribute RHTP funds through competitive RFP processes that require demonstrating alignment with the state’s approved Rural Health Transformation Plan.
Key compliance requirements include SAM.gov registration, adherence to 2 CFR 200 uniform guidance, and commitment to quarterly and annual reporting on performance metrics and milestones.
Key Questions About RHTP in Montana
How much did Montana receive for RHTP?
Montana received $233,000,000 in FY2026 — the 4th highest award nationally. With potential for up to $1.2 billion over five years, this represents a transformative investment for Montana's rural healthcare system.
What is Montana's Center of Excellence initiative?
Montana's RHTP includes a Center of Excellence (CoE) initiative. DPHHS posted two CoE RFPs at bids.mt.gov in April 2026 — one to create the CoE, one to support facilities implementing CoE recommendations. The Strategy & Analytics component closed May 1, 2026. Additional RFPs will continue to be posted as the program advances. DPHHS is also recruiting for a new RHTP Advisory Council (May 2026).
Why did Montana receive the 4th highest RHTP award?
Montana's strong transformation plan and significant rural/frontier healthcare challenges earned it the 4th highest RHTP award nationally at $233 million, despite its relatively small population.
Who is eligible for Montana RHTP funding?
Eligible organizations include Critical Access Hospitals, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, behavioral health providers, EMS agencies, and other rural healthcare organizations. Competitive bidding is underway following CMS budget approval in February 2026.
What technology does Montana's RHTP fund?
Montana's RHTP supports telehealth infrastructure, EHR modernization, health information exchange, remote patient monitoring, cybersecurity, and digital health tools. A vendor webinar in March 2026 signaled strong technology investment intent.
When is the Montana RHTP Center of Excellence proposal deadline?
The Strategy & Analytics CoE RFP closed May 1, 2026. Additional CoE and subgrant RFPs are being posted on a rolling basis at bids.mt.gov. Monitor dphhs.mt.gov and ruralhealth.mt.gov for new opportunities, or email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov with questions.
How many stakeholders are involved in Montana's RHTP?
Over 600 stakeholders attended the first Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting on January 22, 2026, demonstrating strong community engagement in Montana's RHTP implementation planning.
How can Montana providers apply for RHTP?
Montana providers should monitor DPHHS (dphhs.mt.gov) for competitive bidding opportunities, Center of Excellence proposals, and vendor engagement activities.
Ready to Build RHTP-Ready Infrastructure in Montana?
Julota helps rural healthcare organizations meet RHTP interoperability requirements with a cloud-based platform that connects providers, enables data sharing, and supports care coordination across your community.