What Is CMS Rural Health Transformation (RHT)?
The CMS Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is a five-year federal commitment to transform and modernize rural healthcare. With cooperative agreement funding and technical assistance, all 50 states can expand access, strengthen their workforce, and support innovative care models that improve outcomes.
How VisualDx Aligns With RHT Goals
Rural clinicians need tools that work at the point of care. VisualDx is a trusted, clinician-vetted clinical decision support system used across hospitals, academic medical centers, and health systems nationwide.
- Support rural professionals at the point of care
VisualDx’s image-rich differential diagnosis tool helps rural teams identify and triage dermatologic and infectious disease conditions—including atypical presentations that are easy to miss. - Modernize with secure, scalable technology
VisualDx is a secure, enterprise-ready digital platform built for data-driven care, with inclusive image libraries representing diverse skin tones and patient populations. - Enable telehealth and team-based care
VisualDx integrates into virtual visits and bedside consults, supporting collaborative workflows, patient education, and EHR-embedded clinical guidance. This also supports public health alignment by enabling earlier identification of emerging infections and improving coordination between frontline care and state-level response.
- Workforce development & upskilling
VisualDx goes beyond reference content to actively upskill clinicians through its technology and ongoing educational programming. Hospitals deploying VisualDx to new NPs and PAs report greater confidence and fewer unnecessary referrals—supporting retention and top-of-license practice. - Keep care local and reduce unnecessary referrals
By giving APPs and primary care teams specialty-level decision support, VisualDx helps reduce avoidable testing and low-value referrals, keeping care local and costs down. - Built for accountability
VisualDx supports outcome-driven care with reporting that helps states track measurable impact, such as reductions in avoidable referrals or earlier identification of high-risk conditions. We can provide clear evidence to support program success and year-over-year funding renewal.
Measured Impact
Reducing Cellulitis Misdiagnosis with VisualDx
In bedside cellulitis evaluations, clinicians using VisualDx saw 38% fewer admissions and reduced unnecessary antibiotic use—delivering both cost savings and better patient safety.
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Get answers about funding alignment, onboarding, and impact measurement.
Implementation & Impact: What States can Measure
Your state will want to track outcomes that matter.
With VisualDx, you can measure:
- Time-to-diagnosis improvements
- Reduction in avoidable transfers and specialty referrals
- Provider confidence and retention rates
- Early detection and reporting of communicable and chronic conditions
- Technology adoption and EHR integration success
Stronger Care, Closer to Home
Streamlined decision support and inclusive visuals help clinicians deliver timely, respectful care—even when resources are limited.
This collaboration between CeraVe and National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) exemplifies a commitment to supporting under-resourced healthcare providers, improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, and treating all patients with the dignity and respect they deserve.
State-by-State Resources
Find your state’s RHT award information and the ways in which VisualDx aligns to its goals below:
Alabama Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) Rural Health Initiative Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative Rural Workforce Initiative Tech Innovation & EHR Integration Mental Health & Community MedicineVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Alaska Alaska’s Rural Health Transformation Program Healthy Beginnings (Maternal & Child Health) Health Care Access Healthy Communities Pay for Value: Fiscal Sustainability Strengthen Workforce Spark Technology and InnovationVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Arizona Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program Improve Access to Care Targeted Health Workforce Capacity Expansion Statewide System Coordination Arkansas Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program Healthy Eating, Active Recreation, and Transformation (HEART) Promoting Access, Coordination, and Transformation (PACT) California California Rural Health Transformation Program Rural Health Transformative Care Model Rural Health Workforce Development Rural Health Technology & Tools Colorado Colorado Rural Health Transformation Program Provide resources to help communities get and stay healthy to reduce chronic disease Invest in telehealth, mobile health tools and shared data systems Recruit and keep local providers Bring together physical, behavioral, public health, schools, and local businesses to partner Strengthen access to care Transform innovative care models Connecticut Connecticut Rural Health Transformation Program Connecticut Rural Predictive Analytics and Care-Coordination Platform (CR-PACP) Access to Care Close to Home Technology Modernization and Health Information Exchange Workforce Development Delaware Delaware Rural Health Transformation Project Preventive Care Sustainable Access Workforce Development Innovative Care Tech Innovation Florida Florida Rural Health Transformation Program Enhancing Access to Primary, Dental, Behavioral, and Chronic Care Promoting Preventive Care and Early Intervention Telehealth Integration for Rural Clinics Georgia GREAT Health Program (Georgia’s Rural Health Transformation Program) Expanding Access to Care Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Workforce Development Technology Modernization and Health Equity Hawaii Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Program Expanding Access to Care Maternal & Child Health Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Workforce Development Technology Modernization and Health Equity Idaho Idaho Rural Health Transformation Program Access to Care Maternal & Child Health Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Workforce Development Technology Modernization and Health Equity Illinois Illinois Rural Health Transformation Program Transforming Rural Healthcare Delivery Overcoming Geographic Barriers of Care Building a Resilient Rural Healthcare Workforce Technology Modernization and Health Equity Indiana Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program Improving Access to Care Enhancing Care Coordination and Population Health Building and Sustaining the Rural Healthcare Workforce Technology Modernization and Health Equity Iowa Healthy Hometowns – Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Plan Improving Access to Care in Rural Communities Promoting Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management Strengthening the Rural Healthcare Workforce Technology Modernization and Health Equity Kansas Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program Improving Access to Care Promoting Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management Strengthening the Rural Healthcare Workforce Technology Modernization and Health Equity Kentucky Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Program Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation PoWERing Maternal and Infant Health Rapid Response to Recovery (EmPATH Model) Rooted in Health: Rural Dental Access Crisis to Care: Integrated EMS Response and Coordination Technology Modernization and Health Equity Strengthening Workforce Louisiana Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program Improving Access to Care and Health Outcomes Addressing Chronic Disease and Prevention Maternal and Behavioral Health Strengthening the Rural Healthcare Workforce Technology Modernization and Health Equity Maine Maine Rural Health Transformation Program Expand Access to Care Improve Population Health and Chronic Disease Management Maternal and Behavioral Health Strengthen the Rural Health Workforce Advance Technology and Data Integration Maryland Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program Transform the Rural Health Workforce Promote Sustainable Access and Innovative Care Empower Rural Marylanders to Eat for Health Massachusetts Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Project Innovation in Rural Care Models Training Healthcare for Retention. Innovation, & Excellence (THRIVE): Enhancing Technology Interoperability and Connectivity Michigan Michigan Rural Health Transformation Project Transforming Rural Health Through Partnerships Workforce for Wellness Interoperability in Action Care Closer to Home Minnesota Minnesota Rural Health Transformation Project Community-based preventive care and chronic disease management. Recruiting and retaining talent in rural communities. Sustaining access to services to keep care closer to home. Creating regional care models to improve whole-person health. Investing in technology, infrastructure, and collaboration for financial viability. Mississippi Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Project Coordinated regional integrated systems to create a data-driven network for emergency, clinical and community-based services. Workforce expansion through recruitment, retention, training, and career pathways. Health technology advancement to modernize rural health care systems Telehealth adoption and provider support Building rural health infrastructure to improve access to specialized care, close care gaps and support innovative pilot programs. Missouri Missouri Rural Health Transformation Project Rural Health Network and Hubs Tech and Data Interoperability Rural Health Workforce Pathways Provider Transformation & Sustainability Montana Montana Rural Health Transformation Project Workforce Development – Recruitment, Training, and Retention Sustainable Access – Long-term viability of rural providers Innovative Care Models – Flexible, patient-centered approaches Community Health and Prevention Technology Innovation – Secure, efficient digital health toolsVisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
VisualDx alignment with key goals:
Nebraska Nebraska Rural Health Transformation Project Regionalized Rural Access and Navigation Rural Workforce Acceleration eHealth and Mobile Expanding Access to Care Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund and Partnership InitiativeVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Nevada Nevada Rural Health Transformation Project Make Rural Nevada Healthier Strengthen Nevada’s Rural Health Systems More Rural Nevada Network Providers Fill Gaps with Innovative Tech Solutions Collaboration: Facilitates shared access to clinical resources, improving provider teamwork and patient outcomes.VisualDx alignment with key goals:
New Hampshire New Hampshire Rural Health Transformation Project Make Rural New Hampshire Healthier Create Sustainable Long-Term Access to Care Attract, Train, and Retain a Skilled Workforce Develop Innovative Care Models Foster Use of Innovative TechnologiesVisualDx alignment with key goals:
New Jersey New Jersey Rural Health Transformation Project Recruitment, Training, and Retention of Providers Funding for Essential Providers (Behavioral Health, Primary Care, EMS) Regional Partnerships and Telehealth ExpansionVisualDx alignment with key goals:
New Mexico New Mexico Rural Health Transformation Project Healthy Horizons: Expanding Access to Care Rooted in New Mexico: Building Tomorrow’s Rural Health Workforce Rural Health Innovation Fund: Community-Led SolutionsVisualDx alignment with key goals:
New York New York Rural Health Transformation Project Rural Community Health Integration Strengthening Rural Communities with Technology – Enhanced Primary Care (PCMH + AI) Rural Roots: Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce Investments in Technology Innovation & Cybersecurity EnhancementsVisualDx alignment with key goals:
North Carolina North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Project Community-Rooted Care Networks (NC ROOTS Hubs) Workforce Development Technology and InnovationVisualDx alignment with key goals:
North Dakota North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Project Rebuild and Retain a Rural Health Workforce Bring High-Quality Care Closer to Home Gain Efficiency with Modern Tech and DataVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Ohio Ohio Rural Health Transformation Project Rural Health Innovation Hubs Emergency Care Transformation School-Based Health Centers OH SEE Expansion Rural Workforce PipelineVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Oklahoma Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Project Innovating the Care Model Shifting to Value Building Health Data UtilityVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Oregon Oregon Rural Health Transformation Project Innovating the Care Model Shifting to Value Building Health Data UtilityVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Rural Health Transformation Project Sustainable Access Innovative Care Technological InnovationVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Rhode Island Rhode Island Rural Health Transformation Project Sustainable Access Innovative Care Tech InnovationVisualDx alignment with key goals:
South Carolina South Carolina Rural Health Transformation Project Connections to Care Tech Catalyst FundVisualDx alignment with key goals:
South Dakota South Dakota Rural Health Transformation Project Connecting Technology and DataVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Tennessee Tennessee Rural Health Transformation Project Expanding Care Access: Strengthening the Saftey Net Technology Modernization: Tele-specialty expansionVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Texas Texas Rural Health Transformation Project Make Rural Texans Healthy Again Rural Texas Patients in the Driver’s Seat Lone Star Advanced AI and Telehealth Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural TexasVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Utah Utah Rural Health Transformation Project Innovation and Access Technology InnovationVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Vermont Vermont Rural Health Transformation Project Innovative Care Tech Innovation Sustainable AccessVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Virginia Virginia Rural Health Transformation Project Assess rural health needs across the Commonwealth Identify best practices to improve care delivery Develop innovative, sustainable solutions Expand access to high-quality, affordable careVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Washington Washington Rural Health Transformation Project Ignite innovation in Washington’s rural hospitals Prevent disease and manage care in community settings Invest in the health of Native families Adopt technology and data solutions to enable health improvements Develop Washington’s rural workforce to support rural communities Expand and sustain Washington’s rural behavioral health systemVisualDx alignment with key goals:
West Virginia West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Project Connected Care Grid Smart Care Catalyst HealthTech AppalachiaVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Wisconsin Wisconsin Rural Health Transformation Project Drive rural technology and innovation Transform rural care through partnershipsVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Wyoming Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Project Chronic disease prevention and behavioral health Sustaining access to care in rural communities Technological and consumer health solutions IT advances and technical assistanceVisualDx alignment with key goals:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program? A five-year cooperative agreement initiative that funds state-led plans to expand rural access, modernize healthcare infrastructure and technology, strengthen the workforce, and support innovative care and payment models. Awards were announced in December 2025, with implementation beginning in FY 2026.
Which projects can our hospital pursue under RHT? Prevention and chronic disease initiatives, workforce training and upskilling, telehealth and IT modernization (including EHR integration, remote monitoring, and cybersecurity), and care model innovations that reduce costs while improving outcomes. Each state sets detailed priorities—hospitals should align proposals with their state’s plan.
How does VisualDx support RHT goals? VisualDx accelerates accurate diagnosis and clinical triage, reduces avoidable specialty referrals, integrates with existing EHR and telehealth workflows, and helps upskill APPs and rural clinicians. Implementation is backed by published case studies and multi-site adoption data.
Can RHT funds be used for ongoing salaries? RHT emphasizes one-time, high-impact investments and capacity building. States outline permitted and restricted uses in their implementation plans and NOFO guidance. Review your state’s specific award details and funding restrictions.
Where do we get official state contacts? Start with your state Medicaid agency or Office of Rural Health. Monitor the CMS RHT website for project abstracts, timelines, and implementation guidance.
What outcomes should we report? Focus on diagnosis timing, transfer and referral rates, clinician confidence and retention, outbreak recognition and public health reporting, and digital tool adoption—mapped to your state’s RHT milestones and performance measures.
Does VisualDx help telehealth workflows? Yes. VisualDx provides structured differential diagnoses, clinical images, and patient education handouts that support virtual consults and shared decision-making during telehealth encounters.
Why focus on measles and infectious disease readiness? Low prior clinical exposure increases the risk of missed diagnoses. VisualDx’s diverse and inclusive image library improves recognition across skin tones and supports appropriate containment and public health response decisions.
Ready to Move Forward?
Connect with our team to discuss timelines, training, and technical requirements.