HHS Region 1 · Maine DHHS — Rural Health
Program Overview
Maine's Rural Health Transformation Program is being actively implemented by Maine DHHS and statewide partners with federal support, focusing on digital health, telehealth, workforce strengthening, and modernization of rural care delivery. The structured plan centers on five key strategic initiatives—population health, workforce development, care modernization, access expansion, and system sustainability—with milestone-based evaluation and coordinated stakeholder engagement. Current activities track progress against established initiatives and strategic goals to strengthen rural health outcomes and access across Maine. Current structured plan tracks 5 key initiatives and 9 strategic goals.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Maine — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (16)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 308,827 | 7.3% | 3.7% |
| York County | 216,731 | 7.7% | 4.9% |
| Penobscot County | 154,710 | 14.1% | 8.5% |
| Kennebec County | 126,808 | 11.6% | 6.8% |
| Androscoggin County | 113,423 | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Aroostook County | 67,058 | 14.4% | 8.5% |
| Oxford County | 59,255 | 13.8% | 9.4% |
| Hancock County | 56,460 | 9.9% | 5.6% |
| Somerset County | 50,959 | 14.2% | 9.2% |
| Knox County | 41,003 | 8.2% | 4.2% |
| Waldo County | 40,192 | 12.0% | 6.5% |
| Sagadahoc County | 37,285 | 10.0% | 7.0% |
547,281 rural residents
AI source: ME - 2026 - Senator Collins Announces More Than 190 Million in Second Year RHTP Funding
AI auto-updated Nov 12, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
GuideGetting ready for Year 2 in Maine?How to prepare for RHTP Year 2 funding →
Source: CMS State Data Maps ↗ · checked Nov 11, 2026
Federal awards to date: $380,367,044.20 (Year 1 $190.0M + Year 2 $190.4M)
Initiatives (5)
CMS stages run from Stage 0 (planning) to Stage 5 (full implementation). Complete In progress Not started
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
No related documents
No linked documents found.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
5 related documents
Maine continues active implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program. Multiple RFAs and grants for digital health, telehealth, youth behavioral health, perinatal specialty consults, teledentistry, and nursing home telehealth are open, with application briefings and support sessions scheduled throughout Fall 2026. Application portals are live and eligible providers are actively encouraged to apply. MCD Global Health has been selected as a key subawardee to support these initiatives in collaboration with Maine DHHS. State opportunities: 2 active (1 open, 1 upcoming, 14 past/closed), $825.0K listed funding. Key opportunities: Maine RHTP Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative RFA (Rural Community Health Worker Expansion); Maine Rural Health Transformation: Alternative Payment Model (APM) Transition; Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Program: Specialty Telehealth Service Provider(s). Strategy alignment: supports telehealth, care access priorities.
Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is coordinated by Maine DHHS and remains focused on modernizing care delivery, expanding the rural health workforce, and building sustainable rural health systems. Targeted federal investments support EMR modernization, operational stabilization, expanded workforce pipelines, and improved access to comprehensive care—including behavioral, maternal, and chronic disease management—through evidence-based, community-driven interventions. The strategy incorporates annual refinements based on implementation lessons and ongoing needs, ensuring equitable and durable rural health transformation.
Model
Comprehensive, multi-initiative transformation structured around five pillars: population health, workforce, technology & innovation, access, and sustainable rural health ecosystems. Delivered through competitive and non-competitive funding—including grants, subawards, and partner agreements—for digital health projects, provider engagement, EMR modernization, operational sustainability, and quality improvement.
Key Initiatives (5)CMS official list ↗
Supporting activities (16)
• Establish statewide Virtual Quick Care with extended hours to deliver same-day virtual acute care, targeting rural patients.
• Implement Automated Text Messaging systems for chronic disease management in rural adult populations.
Timeline: Fiscal Years 2026–2030
Access: Bridging the Healthcare Affordability Gap for Rural Mainers
Population Health: Promoting Timely Access to High-quality Care
Sustainable Rural Health Ecosystems: Addressing Financial Instability of Rural Providers
Technology: Modernizing Rural Care Delivery with Digital Health Technology
Workforce: Strengthening Maine's Rural Health Workforce
State Policy Action commitments (0 of 19)
Many rural residents face long drives exceeding two hours to reach specialty care, prompting use of telehealth to reduce distance barriers.
Current EMR systems are outdated and fragmented; modernization aims to improve care coordination and reduce provider burden.
Maine has the oldest population in the nation, necessitating innovative solutions to support aging in place with remote monitoring and digital health.
ME - 2026 - Overview of Federal Budget Reconciliation Law Impacts on MaineCare, SNAP, and CoverME.gov
Auto-grouped context match (37%)
ME - 2025 - Department of Health and Human Services Notice of Award
Auto-grouped context match (37%)
ME - 2026 - RHTP & Maine Public Information Webinar September 2025
Migrated from duplicate federal row
ME - 2026 - $2.8 Million from Rural Health Fund Senator Collins Authored Will Keep Penobscot Community Health Care Open
Official Senate announcement of PCHC RHTP award
ME - 2026 - State of Maine – Revised Year 1 Budget Narrative
Maine RHTP Y1 Budget Narrative (Amended) — $184.9M contracts/subawards breakdown
University of New England (UNE) Center for Public Health Practice, on behalf of Maine DHHS (Maine RHTP)
Due Nov 30, 2026
3 related documents
ME - 2026 - Maine RHTP Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative RFA (Rural Community Health Worker Expansion)
Official funding opportunity page (UNE Rural Community Health Worker Expansion)
ME - 2027 - RHTP Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative RFA (Rural Community Health Worker Expansion)
Application package - Request for Applications (full RFA text)
ME - 2026 - RHTP Community Health Worker Initiative Request for Applications Budget Template
Application package - Budget template
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Grouped files
1 related document
ME - 2026 - ruralhealth
Maine RHTP strategy overview
MCD Global Health (administered for Maine RHTP, supported by CMS/HHS)
Due Nov 10, 2026
3 related documents
ME - 2026 - digital health
Official MCD Maine RHTP Digital Health Program Page
By budget period: BP1 $74.8M (from the award date, the source's publish date, or RCJ having recorded the award before Budget Period 2 began)
| FY↓ | Awardee↕ | Amount↕ | Activity↕ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026BP1 | EHR infrastructure in rural Maine Funds to upgrade electronic health record (EHR) infrastructure across rural Maine. | $30.0M | Health IT | |
| 2026BP1 | Maine community health workforce and practice infrastructure Funds to improve the community health workforce and evidence-based practices in Maine’s rural areas. | $12.0M | Workforce | |
| 2026BP1 | Penobscot Community Health Care This award funds Penobscot Community Health Care to avoid bankruptcy and maintain essential health care services for rural communities in Maine. | $2.8M | Other | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | 11 rural hospitals (names not listed) Maine DHHS and Office of Affordable Health Care will provide $30 million to 11 rural hospitals via the Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund for financial management, operational efficiency, and regional service planning. | $30.0M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | Cary Medical Center Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | Houlton Regional Hospital Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | MaineGeneral Medical Center – Alfond Center for Health Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | MaineHealth Franklin Hospital Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — | |
| 2026-2027BP1 | Millinocket Regional Hospital Maine RHTP Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund (Maine DHHS, announced 2026-07-31): technical assistance and sustainability plans (Phase 1, ~$3M shared) and approved efficiency projects (Phase 2, ~$27M). | Not disclosed | — |
Senator Collins announced more than $190 million in funding for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program aimed at rural health improvements in Maine.
Maine was awarded approximately $190.36 million in second-year RHTP funding, the largest federal investment in rural health care in over 20 years. This award reflects Maine's progress in supporting its rural health care workforce, technology adoption, and access improvements. Event schedule: - Published: , 2026 - November 10 - Senator Collins Announces More than $190 Million in Second-Year Rural Health Transformation Program Funding
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
This is the official budget template required for applicants to the Maine RHTP Community Health Worker Initiative. The budget form covers a 9-month project period beginning January 1, 2027. Applicants must use this format to propose personnel, fringe, and other costs for their projects. Key contacts: L. Garza lgarza@une.edu; lgarza lgarza@une.edu Event schedule: - Budget submission form questions deadline - 11/26/2026 - lgarza@une.edu - Agreement Start Date - 2026-10-01 - 00:00:00 UTC - Maine - Agreement End Date - 2027-09-30 - 00:00:00 UTC - Maine - Indirect cost base information due - 2026-11-26 - Email to lgarza@une.edu - Agreement Start Date FY27 - 2026-10-01 - 00:00:00 GMT+0000 - Maine - Agreement End Date FY27 - 2027-09-30 - 00:00:00 GMT+0000 - Maine - Agreement Start Date FY28 - 2027-10-01 - 00:00:00 GMT+0000 - Maine - Agreement End Date FY28 - 2027-09-30 - 00:00:00 GMT+0000 - Maine
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Core Initiatives
Maine is initiating a Rate Determination process for maternity services under the federal Transforming Maternal Health model. A virtual kickoff meeting will be held to engage stakeholders and present initial model information. Key contacts: Louise Secordel Event schedule: - Kickoff Meeting for Rate Determination Process - November 16, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET - Virtual via Zoom
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Maine legislature enacted emergency legislation to reform nursing facility reimbursement rates with cost-of-living adjustments effective January 1, 2026. A stakeholder group will guide the transition fund usage and rate rebasing plans, with a report due by January 15, 2027. Event schedule: - Report due date - 01/15/2027
Supported by an initial $190 million Year 1 federal investment, Maine's program focuses on five strategic initiatives including population health, workforce, technology & innovation, access, and sustainable rural health ecosystems. The program includes multiple funding opportunities aimed at EMR modernization, alternative payment model transitions, hospital financial sustainability, community health worker services, and workforce development. Event schedule: - Next Advisory Committee Meeting - October 7, 2026 - 12:00 PM ET - webinar https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/82643291830
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
The Rural Health AI Hub is a statewide center focused on evaluating, piloting, and scaling AI tools to improve healthcare quality and reduce administrative burden in rural Maine. It serves rural providers including hospitals, clinics, EMS, and community partners. MCD Global Health provides technical assistance to healthcare organizations on AI planning and implementation. Key contacts: Andrew Solomon communications@mcd.org
Contacts
Core Initiatives
The program emphasizes tele-behavioral health services for youth and includes funding opportunities for specialty telehealth service providers and partner sites such as schools and community-based organizations. Upcoming solicitations focus on remote patient monitoring and provider-to-provider specialty consultations.
Event Schedule
Event Schedule
Oct 1, 2029
Payment Error Rate Penalties Scope Increases
Waivers of penalties to states restricted; scope of penalties increases for payment error rates starting October 1, 2029.
2027-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
Agreement End Date
The Rural Health Transformation Program agreement ends.
September 30, 2027
Year 1 spending complete deadline
Year 1 spending must be complete by September 30, 2027 across all five RHTP initiatives.
September 30, 2027
Year 1 spending deadline
Year 1 spending must be complete by September 30, 2027 across all five RHTP initiatives.
August 2027
Approved Projects Implemented
Approved projects identified in the sustainability plans must be implemented by August 2027.
7/1/2027 - 9/30/2027
RHTP Community Health Worker Year 2
Community Health Worker Expansion & Support Year 2 runs from July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2027.
January 15, 2027
Stakeholder group report due
The stakeholder group shall submit a report no later than January 15, 2027 to the joint standing committee.
January 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027
Budget Period
The proposed budget period is from January 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027.
January 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027
Year 1 spending period
The Year 1 spending period is January 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027.
January 1, 2027
Eligibility Redeterminations & Retroactive Limits Effective
Eligibility renews every six months and retroactive coverage is reduced starting January 1, 2027.
January 1, 2027
Start of MaineCare eligibility changes
MaineCare eligibility changes will start on January 1, 2027.
January 2027
CHW contracts begin
Anticipated contracts will begin in January 2027, with potential continuation through September 30, 2031.
ME - 2026 - Senator Collins Announces More than $190 Million in Second-Year RHTP Funding
ME RHTP site updated — 3 new, 2 existing source(s) refreshed
ME RHTP site updated — 4 new, 1 existing source(s) refreshed
ME RHTP site updated — 3 new, 1 existing source(s) refreshed
ME state summary updated: transformationStrategy initiatives: 16 -> 5
Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) advances a statewide digital health ecosystem through targeted telehealth, remote monitor…
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ME - 2026 - Skip to main navigation Agencies
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ME - 2026 - Skip to main navigation Agencies
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ME - 2026 - proposed schedule
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ME - 2026 - 97 23694b08 3056 475e 9e53 37495914997e
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ME - 2026 - Senate Republicans Call on Mills Administration to Support Pchc Rural Health Centers
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ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Support 9.13.2018
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ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Operations 9.13.2018
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ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Instruction 9.13.2018
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ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Summer School 9.13.2018
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ME - 2026 - Maine Landing Page (updated: July 31, 2026)
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ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Alternative Education 9.13.2018
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ME - 2026 - School Finance FY27 CTE Program Estimate Allocation Tool 1.22.2026
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ME - 2026 - FY17 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 10May2017
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ME - 2026 - FY18 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 18Jul2017
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ME - 2026 - FY19 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 23Apr2019
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ME - 2026 - FY20 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion April2020
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ME - 2026 - FY21 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 27May2021
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ME - 2023 - School Finance FY23 24 MaineCare Seed Adjustment Cumulative 4.20.2023
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ME - 2024 - FY24 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 4.25.2024
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ME - 2026 - FY23 SectionF PreliminaryWarrantArticleforPropertyTaxData 18Jan2022 0
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ME - 2023 - School Finance FY24 Section F Preliminary Warrant Article for Property Tax Data 3.28.2023
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ME - 2026 - HISTUITPublic FY19 20190111 1
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ME - 2026 - BudgetCategoriesModelChartAccts template
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Maine 12 FY 19/20 October 24, 2019 RHTP Document
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ME - 2026 - Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultations — Application Portal
RFA budget evidence (live portal, 2026-10-10)
ME - 2026 - Supporting Document for Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultations and Remote Patient Monitoring Grants
Application Portal — Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultations
Maine will receive $190 million in first-year funding through RHTP, marking the largest federal investment in rural health care in over two decades. The program will focus on workforce, technology, access, and sustainability in rural Maine health care. Event schedule: - Funding Announcement - 12/29/2025 - Washington, D.C.
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
Senator Collins announced a $2.8 million RHTP federal award to keep Penobscot Community Health Care solvent, protecting access to essential rural health services. Maine received a total of $190 million in first-year RHTP funding for rural health transformation efforts statewide. Event schedule: - Award Announcement Date - 10/09/2026 - Bangor, ME
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
This RFA solicits applications from organizations serving rural and partially rural Maine communities for the deployment of CHWs. RHTP funds cover the cost of core CHW competency training and certification, helping to build Maine's rural health workforce capacity. The program emphasizes population health improvement, partnership building, and sustainability through Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement and other funding streams.
Core Initiatives
Event schedule: - RFA release , 2026 - November 2 - 5 pm - Anticipated amount per award - Submissions due 5 pm , 2026 (ET) - November 30 - 5 pm - Anticipated amount per award - Applicant questions due to chwrfa@une.edu by 5 pm , 2026 (ET) - November 9 - 5 pm - Anticipated amount per award - Responses posted by 5 pm , 2026 (ET) on UNE proposal website - November 16 - Anticipated amount per award - , 2027 through September 30, 2027 - January 1 - Potential continuation - Contracts may be renewed annually for a 12-month period through , 2031, depending on continued RHTP funding from CMS. - September 30 - Funding purpose
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Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
MaineCare continues systematic rate reform with Technical Advisory Panel consultation on the CY27 schedule. The program has completed rate determinations for numerous policy sections and is on track to finish the first 5-year cycle of comprehensive rate review. Transparency has increased with bi-monthly public updates, and key services—including hospitals, dental, maternal health, and rural health clinics—are prioritized for upcoming rate determinations. Key contacts: Megan Scott megan.a.scott@maine.gov; Karynlee Harrington; Marti Hooper; Heather Hyatt Event schedule: - Draft CY27 Rate Determination Schedule posted online - 10/30/2026 - MAC Committee meeting review - 11/03/2026 - Public comment deadline - 11/24/2026 - Final schedule and comment summary posted - 12/15/2026
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Contacts
Core Initiatives
The program partners with MCD Global Health and Maine DHHS to deploy a variety of digital health modalities across partner sites; it includes several funding opportunities targeting youth tele-behavioral health, nursing home telehealth, teledentistry, perinatal specialty telehealth, provider-to-provider consultations, and remote patient monitoring with scheduled application windows in late 2026. Key contacts: communications@mcd.org Event schedule: - Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, , 2026 - October 15 - 2 p.m - Grant Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Schools, School Districts, School Units, and Youth-serving Community-based Organizations - Submittable Q&A Session: 1-2 p.m. Friday, , 2026 - October 16 - 4 p.m - Grant Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Schools, School Districts, School Units, and Youth-serving Community-based Organizations - , 2026 October 21, 2026 Closed - September 18 - 4 p.m - Grant Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Schools, School Districts, School Units, and Youth-serving Community-based Organizations - 3-4 p.m. Monday, , 2026: Link to Recording - Youth TBH Schools, Districts, Units & Youth CBOs - October 19 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - Submittable Q&A Session: 1-2 p.m. Friday, , 2026: Link to Recording - Submittable Q&A - October 16 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - , 2026 November 6, 2026 Submittable - October 9 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, , 2026: Link to Recording - Nursing Home Telehealth - October 13 - 2 p.m - Grant Teledentistry Schools, Primary Care-based Oral Health Providers and Dental Practices - Submittable Q&A Session: 1-2 p.m. Friday, , 2026: Link to Recording - Submittable Q&A - October 16 - 3:30 p.m - Grant Teledentistry Schools, Primary Care-based Oral Health Providers and Dental Practices
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Core Initiatives