Rural Health Transformation Program - Ambulance Service Treatment in Place Pilot Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program Ambulance Service Treatment in Place Pilot is administered by the Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. This funding opportunity is part of a broader federally supported Rural Health Transformation Program designed to strengthen healthcare delivery systems in rural communities. The program focuses specifically on supporting ambulance services in rural Minnesota by enabling them to implement Treatment in Place programs, which represent an alternative model of emergency response care. The purpose of this grant is to improve access to healthcare in rural regions by allowing licensed emergency medical services personnel to assess and treat patients at the scene of a 911 call without transporting them to an emergency department when appropriate. Treatment in Place involves clinically meaningful assessment or intervention conducted under protocols approved by a Medical Director, resulting in a documented decision not to transport the patient. This approach is intended to reduce unnecessary ambulance transports, decrease strain on emergency departments, and improve patient outcomes while supporting a reimbursement model that makes such services financially viable for ambulance providers. Funding under this program is distributed through a competitive process with an estimated total program allocation exceeding nine million dollars. Individual awards are expected to range from thirty five thousand dollars to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Funds are restricted to expenses directly related to providing qualifying Treatment in Place ambulance responses. These responses must result in documented non transport decisions and are subject to review through patient care reports to confirm eligibility for reimbursement. All other expenses outside of these defined activities are considered ineligible. Eligibility for this grant is limited to ambulance services that primarily operate outside of Minnesota metropolitan counties including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. This geographic restriction ensures that the program targets rural communities where access to healthcare services is more limited. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to implement Treatment in Place protocols and align their operations with Medical Director approved procedures. The program is designed specifically for ambulance service providers and does not extend eligibility to unrelated entities. The application process requires submission through an online form by the stated deadline. Applicants must include a project overview and budget along with several required attachments such as a Medical Director letter of support and a work plan. Additional documentation is required for applicants requesting fifty thousand dollars or more, including organizational capacity responses, certifications regarding legal and financial standing, and disclosures related to governance and compliance. Applications must be complete at the time of submission and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The application timeline begins with the publication of the request for proposals in early July, followed by an optional but strongly encouraged informational webinar. Questions from applicants must be submitted by a specified deadline, with responses posted publicly. Applications are due in mid August, and review activities begin shortly thereafter. Pre award assessments and contract negotiations follow in September, with grant agreements anticipated to begin in early October. The performance period is expected to run from October through the end of August of the following year, and no project work may begin until a formal agreement is fully executed. Program outcomes include increased access to healthcare in rural areas, improved health outcomes for residents, reduced emergency department utilization, and decreased repeat emergency calls. The program also aims to establish standardized Treatment in Place protocols and provide reimbursement mechanisms for ambulance services delivering these interventions. Questions and technical assistance are available through the program email contact, and all communication must be directed to the designated grants team inbox.

Ensure all required attachments are complete and aligned with Treatment in Place protocols; incomplete applications will be rejected; clearly document non transport care processes and compliance with Medical Director protocols