Rural Health Transformation Program - Transform, Innovate, and Regionalize Care

The State of Vermont is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to perform services related to the Rural Health Transformation Program. The purpose of this program is to build stronger rural health networks, improve technology and shared operations, strengthen the rural health workforce, and ultimately ensure that Vermonters receive the right care at the right time for an affordable cost. The program will provide funds to help health care providers implement regional care strategies that coordinate services across a geographic area to improve access, quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Proposals must address one or more of the following priority areas: care innovation and service redesign, technology and interoperability, shared services and operational efficiency, and hospital designation or service transformation. Key features of the program include: • Design and implementation of regional care models that shift appropriate services from hospital to community-based or outpatient settings. • Development of regional prenatal, birthing, and post-natal care networks, including coordinated referral pathways and wraparound supports. • Improved access to mental health services, including integration of mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder services. • Expansion or redesign of hospice and end-of-life care, including home-based and community-based options. • Creation of lower-acuity, community-centered models for high-need populations that reduce avoidable hospital utilization. Eligible applicants include hospitals and non-hospital providers physically located in Vermont, including primary care practices, specialty care, home health and hospice agencies, skilled nursing and long-term care providers, adult day centers, mental health providers, and substance use disorder providers.