Telehealth Hub Connectivity, Equipment and Education Grant Program

The Telehealth Hub Connectivity, Equipment and Education Grant Program is administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health as part of the State’s Rural Health Transformation Plan, which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative is designed to strengthen rural healthcare delivery systems by expanding telehealth capacity, improving connectivity, and increasing access to care across underserved populations. The program reflects a statewide effort to reduce barriers to specialty and preventive care by leveraging virtual care infrastructure and supporting providers in adopting telehealth technologies and practices. The primary purpose of the program is to fund enhancements that increase telehealth visits in rural communities and improve patient access to care. The program focuses on developing telehealth hubs, improving broadband connectivity, and increasing patient utilization of telehealth services. Mississippi defines rural areas based on population thresholds and density, but eligibility is not restricted to organizations physically located in rural areas so long as they demonstrate meaningful benefits to rural residents. The program aligns with broader healthcare transformation goals, including innovation in care delivery and payment models, and requires that projects support measurable improvements in access and outcomes. Funding may be used for a range of telehealth-related expenditures, including equipment such as carts, cameras, monitors, and diagnostic peripherals, as well as connectivity upgrades and telehealth platform integration. Additional allowable costs include software licensing, maintenance, and technical support services. The program also supports education-related activities such as provider training, patient outreach campaigns, multilingual materials, and community engagement efforts. However, strict funding restrictions apply. Funds cannot be used for broadband infrastructure development, electronic health records, cybersecurity solutions, new construction, major expansions, lobbying, or provider payments. Administrative and indirect costs are capped at five percent of the award amount. Eligible applicants include a broad range of healthcare providers operating in Mississippi or serving rural populations. These include hospitals, physician practices, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, tribal healthcare facilities, behavioral health clinics, substance use disorder facilities, dental providers, and long-term care facilities. Applicants may submit multiple applications for separate capital investments. Awardees are classified as subrecipients and must comply with federal and state regulations, including maintaining financial controls, adhering to procurement standards, and participating in the statewide Health Information Exchange. The application process requires submission through an online portal with required attachments, including PDF documentation and a Microsoft Excel budget template. Applications are reviewed first for completeness and responsiveness, and then evaluated by a review panel using defined scoring criteria. These criteria include project description, demonstrated need, implementation plan, sustainability, budget alignment, and evaluation strategy. The scoring framework assigns points across categories totaling one hundred, emphasizing measurable outcomes, readiness, and impact on rural populations. The application timeline for the initial funding round includes an opening date in mid-June and a submission deadline of July 15 at 12 PM Central Time. Award announcements are anticipated by July 31, with a performance period extending from the date of award through July 31 of the following year. All funds must be obligated by late October and expended within the performance period. The program anticipates awarding multiple grants across two primary categories: telehealth connectivity and equipment, and telehealth education, with average award sizes varying by category. Awardees are required to submit quarterly progress reports detailing expenditures, progress against milestones, and performance metrics. An annual evaluation and final report are also required, summarizing outcomes, challenges, and sustainability considerations. The Mississippi State Department of Health monitors compliance and performance throughout the grant period. Questions regarding the program must be submitted via email by a specified deadline, and applicants are prohibited from contacting state officials through other means to influence the process. The program may recur in future years depending on continued funding availability, though participation in one year does not guarantee future awards.

Ensure strong alignment with program objectives; demonstrate measurable rural impact; provide detailed implementation timeline and sustainability plan; avoid duplication with other programs