The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) will host a series of in-person Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Town Halls next week to provide updates on funding opportunities and next steps to strengthen health care delivery in Florida’s rural communities.

These sessions will offer an overview of the RHTP, highlight upcoming funding opportunities, and outline initiative “bundles” designed to address documented access gaps, workforce shortages, technology modernization, and long-term sustainability in rural areas. Participants will also learn about application readiness, partnership development requirements, and available technical assistance. Each town hall will provide an opportunity for attendees to share local priorities and challenges to help inform implementation.

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

About the Rural Health Transformation Program

Florida’s RHTP is a statewide initiative led by AHCA to strengthen and modernize rural health systems through innovative care models, technology integration, and workforce investment. Notably, 31 of Florida’s 67 counties are designated as rural, underscoring the scale and importance of this effort.

On December 31, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Florida more than $209 million under a five-year cooperative agreement to implement 15 initiatives focused on access expansion, chronic disease management, telehealth and tele-specialties, workforce development, value-based purchasing readiness, remote patient monitoring, and infrastructure coordination.

The program is authorized under Section 2105 of the Social Security Act and supports broader rural populations — not solely Medicaid beneficiaries — when aligned with CMS guidance.

AHCA anticipates releasing its Request for Applications in early 2026 following CMS approval of revised budgets.

Why Home Health Providers Should Attend

Home health agencies play a critical role in rural care delivery. Several RHTP initiatives — including remote patient telemonitoring, value-based purchasing readiness, health information exchange onboarding, integrated care coordination, and workforce development — present opportunities for home health providers to:

• Form regional partnerships or multi-county collaboratives
• Participate in telehealth-enabled care models
• Strengthen integration with hospitals, clinics, emergency medical services, and community-based organizations
• Enhance sustainability and access to care in underserved communities

Collaboration is a central component of the program. Applicants proposing joint initiatives must have executed memoranda of understanding or partnership agreements at the time of application.

Additional Resources

Providers are encouraged to review the RHTP webpage, which provides the February 18 webinar presentation slide deck, as well as state and federal frequently asked questions.

For more information, questions may be directed to RHTP@ahca.myflorida.com.