Clinics without Walls: Remote Patient Monitoring Grant Program

The Clinics without Walls: Remote Patient Monitoring funding opportunity is administered by the North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a federal initiative established under Public Law 119-21 and supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The RHTP represents a large-scale effort to improve healthcare delivery in rural communities by investing in innovative, sustainable solutions. North Dakota’s implementation focuses on strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to services, and leveraging technology to improve health outcomes, particularly through initiatives that bring high-quality care closer to home. This specific funding opportunity is designed to support the adoption and expansion of remote patient monitoring technologies and systems. The program aims to transform care delivery by enabling providers to monitor patients in their homes through devices, applications, and integrated digital systems. Eligible projects may include the purchase and implementation of remote monitoring equipment, development of patient portals, integration of monitoring data into electronic health records, and the deployment of dashboards for population health management. The funding also supports training for clinical staff and patients, development of workflows, and tools such as biometrics tracking, video visit integration, and patient adherence monitoring systems. Funding is intended for new equipment and technology implementation rather than replacement or upgrades of existing systems, which are generally not allowable. Allowable expenses include equipment purchases, information technology, personnel, and related implementation support. However, the funding is governed by federal regulations that prohibit certain uses, such as administrative indirect costs, duplicative funding, or construction projects. Capital expenditures for new equipment are allowed, and projects must align with federal requirements including potential service commitments of up to five years depending on project design. Eligibility is limited to healthcare providers serving rural North Dakota residents, including rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, federally qualified health centers, clinics, and tribal organizations. Applicants must demonstrate that at least half of the population served is rural or that the project directly benefits rural populations. Priority is given to projects that introduce new technologies, improve care for Medicaid populations, reduce emergency department utilization, and enhance care coordination. Applicants may submit only one application per organization, though multiple strategies can be included within that application. Applications must be submitted through the Qualtrics platform and require completion of several components including organizational background, project narrative, and a detailed budget using a standardized template. The project narrative must clearly identify the need, describe proposed strategies, define measurable outcomes, and outline implementation tasks. Applicants must also provide a sustainability plan, demonstrating how the project will continue beyond the funding period. Evaluation criteria are based solely on the submitted materials and alignment with program goals and metrics, particularly those related to increasing telehealth and remote monitoring utilization. The total funding available for this opportunity is approximately 1600000 dollars, with an estimated 20 awards of about 80000 dollars each. The performance period begins upon execution of the funding agreement and ends on August 31, 2027, with all funds required to be expended by that date. Reporting requirements include submission of reimbursement requests, progress reports, and impact documentation, potentially extending up to five years depending on federal requirements. The application deadline is August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time. A technical assistance call was held on July 30, 2026, with additional support provided through regional development councils and an FAQ resource. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions in advance and utilize available resources to strengthen their proposals. Final award decisions are made by HHS, potentially with input from CMS, and applicants will be notified following the review process. This funding opportunity is part of a phased rollout, with additional opportunities expected in future years under the RHTP framework.

Focus on new equipment implementation measurable outcomes and impact on Medicaid populations ensure strong alignment with rural health metrics and feasibility within timeline