RHTP Specialty and Acute Care Grant Program

The Specialty and Acute Care Bundle under the Rural Health Transformation Program is administered by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and funded through a federal cooperative agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This program is part of a broader statewide initiative designed to strengthen rural health systems over a multi-year period by investing in infrastructure, workforce capacity, and technology-enabled care delivery. The bundle represents one of several coordinated funding opportunities intended to address systemic gaps in access, quality, and outcomes for rural populations across Florida. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand specialty and acute care capacity in rural areas through the deployment of shared technology platforms, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and integrated telehealth service lines. The program is structured as a bundled application requiring applicants to implement two mandatory core components alongside at least one elective telehealth initiative. The required components include onboarding to the Florida Health Information Exchange and Event Notification System, as well as the deployment of diagnostics technology infrastructure. Elective initiatives include behavioral health telehealth, tele-imaging and virtual specialty clinics, tele-intensive care unit services, and hub-and-spoke telestroke programs. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities focused on technology implementation, workforce training, system integration, and care coordination. These include investments in diagnostic equipment, telehealth platforms, cloud-based imaging systems, interoperability infrastructure, and program administration. However, funds may not be used for direct clinical service delivery, clinician salaries for patient care, capital construction, or major renovations. Administrative costs are capped at three percent of the total award, and funds may not supplant existing federal or state funding sources. Eligibility is limited to organizations capable of serving as a bundle lead and demonstrating the operational capacity to implement both required and elective components. Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, academic medical centers, health systems, and regional health networks, often working in partnership with rural provider sites. Applicants must establish formal agreements with partner organizations, document rural service areas, and demonstrate the ability to integrate multiple program components into a cohesive regional model. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive, unified application package that includes organizational information, detailed project narratives for each component, partnership documentation, implementation timelines, data reporting plans, sustainability strategies, and a detailed budget. Applications are evaluated through a two-stage process consisting of a pass/fail compliance review followed by a technical evaluation assessing program design, integration, feasibility, and alignment with statewide goals. Evaluation criteria emphasize demonstrated capacity, integration of technology systems, measurable outcomes, and readiness to implement within the required timeframe. Applications for this funding opportunity are due on June 10, 2026. The first year of funding covers the period from August 1, 2026, through July 30, 2027, with continuation funding contingent upon performance and federal approval. The broader program operates through October 2030. Questions must be submitted in writing to the designated agency contact, and only official written responses are considered binding. This opportunity is part of a multi-year, potentially recurring initiative aligned with federal reporting requirements and statewide health transformation goals.

Prioritize strong integration across all components; clearly demonstrate rural need and readiness; align technology deployment with measurable outcomes; ensure all required components are fully addressed or application may be deemed non-responsive