FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 02 2026

Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

DPHHS Now Accepting Proposals to Launch and Implement the RHTP Center of Excellence Initiative

HELENA, MT — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today it is seeking proposals for two distinct components of Montana’s Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE), as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

The first request is for proposals to create the CoE; the second is for proposals to support facilities in implementing CoE recommendations.

Interested organizations can find the procurement details on the Montana Department of Administration website.

“As we continue to move the historic Rural Health Transformation Program forward, we are eager to bring on partners to assist the Department in establishing and operating the Rural Health Center of Excellence, as well as implementing its recommendations on the ground,” said DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton. “The CoE represents our deep commitment to using data to meaningfully modernize rural health care in every corner of our state.”

The CoE will serve as the heart of the RHTP and will be driven by three primary objectives:

• Data-Driven Strategy: The CoE will analyze rural health supply and demand to provide county- and facility-level recommendations, ensuring care delivery aligns with the specific needs of Montana’s rural and frontier communities.
• Long-Term Sustainability: Guided by a stakeholder governance board, the CoE will help participating facilities develop roadmaps to achieve independent, positive operating margins without the need for ongoing state support.
• Performance Incentives: Through a voluntary opt-in program, facilities that implement CoE recommendations and meet measurable improvements in care quality, patient access, and financial performance will be eligible for incentive payments. More information on how providers, facilities, and organizations can participate in the CoE and the associated funding opportunities will be released in the coming months. One Request for Proposal (RFP) that has been released seeks a contractor to assist the Department in delivering the three objectives outlined above.

The second component of the CoE is the establishment of a partner to assist rural facilities in implementing the recommendations. Through this RFP, DPHHS seeks to contract with a dedicated implementation partner to provide hands-on technical expertise and change management resources tailored to the unique characteristics of Montana’s health care providers and communities.

DPHHS plans to issue additional funding opportunities, including through RFPs, over the coming months, and will post information about new proposals at ruralhealth.mt.gov as they become available.

A centralized website page has been created with resources to help vendors effectively navigate the RFP process. The resources include a vendor checklist, direct links to helpful videos, and a Frequently Asked Questions document.

Governor Greg Gianforte and Dir. Brereton announced in December 2025 a historic $233 million investment from the Trump administration to stabilize and modernize rural health care delivery throughout Montana. Awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), these funds will support Montana’s rural health care providers in delivering sustainable, high-quality care and ensuring appropriate access for those in need of services.

This investment reflects the first-year award of a five-year federal grant program, with Montana currently set to receive up to $1.2 billion over the life of the program.

The state received the fourth-highest funding award among all 50 states, signaling the quality and strength of Montana’s application.

Following CMS requirements, DPHHS submitted a revised budget in January 2026 that was adjusted to prioritize scalable, high-impact programs. CMS issued final approval of the DPHHS budget for the first year of funding on Feb. 19, 2026, clearing the way for the agency to begin awarding funds.

With the first-year budget finalized, funds will be awarded to vendors to support implementation of RHTP initiatives through competitive bidding at bids.mt.gov. Other funding avenues will include grant applications for providers and community organizations as well as inter-agency agreements (e.g., between DPHHS and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry).

RHTP implementation is already guided by robust community feedback. On January 22, 2026, over 600 Montanans participated in the first RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting at Montana State University in Bozeman. This session focused on project goals and gathering public input to ensure the initiatives meet the unique needs of Montana’s diverse rural landscape.

Information on future funding for communities and providers will be posted at ruralhealth.mt.gov on a rolling basis. Potential vendors with specific questions regarding the program can email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358.76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.