Hawaii

Hawaii's RHTP program totals $189 million annually, supporting six key initiatives with major sub-awards to providers and associations. Focus areas include EHR modernization, interoperability, analytics, and transformation support for rural hospitals and FQHCs, alongside establishment of a statewide CIN/MSO for primary care providers. Explicit awards for infrastructure and value-based care readiness are noted. Event schedule: - RVBI Award notice (Hawaii Primary Care Association) - 08/28/2026 - RVBI Award notice (Healthcare Association of Hawaii) - 09/03/2026 - RVBI Award notice (Physicians of Southwest Washington, LLC) - 09/11/2026

This grant opportunity supports wellness initiatives and burnout prevention for rural healthcare professionals in Hawaii. Funding is aimed at enhancing the emotional and mental health of clinical staff in underserved areas. The mini-grant enables local projects that foster resilience and workforce retention.

The Kuleana Connect Grant Program provides small grants to creative, community-driven projects throughout rural Hawaiʻi. Supported under the HOME RUN workforce initiative, it aims to strengthen provider well-being, foster community connections, and support recruitment and retention. Multiple grant tiers allow organizations, clinics, and community groups to propose solutions that improve rural healthcare and support providers. Key contacts: Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association

The program addresses long travel distances, limited specialty care, workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and barriers to timely primary care, behavioral health, emergency services, and post-acute support in Hawaiʻi's rural areas. It implements six interconnected initiatives including digital networks, telehealth, emergency services, workforce training, medical respite, and value-based care support. The University of Hawaiʻi Rural Health Research and Policy Center supports the program through community engagement and policy research.

The HOME RUN Rural Workforce Investment Program aims to address critical workforce gaps in rural Hawaii by supporting training, recruitment, and retention initiatives. This opportunity is open for applications, targeting regions with persistent provider shortages. Program priorities focus on sustainable employment and expanding rural health access.

Funding opportunities for non-state entities are posted through the Hawaiʻi Awards & Notices Data System (HANDS). The HOME RUN education award application is currently open with application instructions available via a provided link. The page serves as a portal to official application pathways but does not replace official procurement notices or detailed eligibility requirements.

This document outlines the design priorities and standards for the Hawai`i AHEAD Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Payment Model (APM) framework. It reviews requirements for medical home models, care coordination, health promotion, behavioral health integration, specialty care, and payment approaches for the Medicaid population. The framework emphasizes alignment with hospital global budgets, operational simplicity, and improving population health through primary care transformation. Event schedule: - Framework Discussion Meeting - 03/25/2026 - HT

This document summarizes changes from version 2.0 to 3.0 of the AHEAD Medicare Hospital Global Budget payment methodology for Hawaii. It discusses revisions to baseline calculations, hospital payments, social risk adjustment, and incentives. The summary primarily illustrates anticipated impacts for rural and critical access hospitals under the new 2025 CMS methodology.

This strategy document outlines a Medicaid Primary Care Advanced Payment Model (APM) intended to strengthen primary care, improve quality, and align payment with outcomes for rural and underserved populations in Hawaii. It includes analysis of current Medicaid utilization, payment attribution models, tiered participation requirements, and behavioral health integration. No explicit award or fiscal amounts are detailed.

The Hawai‘i AHEAD Primary Care Working Group is advancing stakeholder engagement and developing methodologies for improving primary care quality and cost management. The project has a strong timeline through 2027 with landmark submissions and contract executions to support implementation and recruitment.

Hawaii's Med-QUEST Division plans a transition to mandatory Medicaid Hospital Global Budgets, aligning incentives between hospitals and primary care through Pay-for-Performance and global budget payments. The total estimated statewide payments for 2025 are $1.1B, with $100M allocated for quality improvement P4P. Historical modeling shows most hospitals benefit from the new approach, especially during high trend years.

The HOME RUN program provides several grant opportunities including the Education Award, Community Investment, Kuleana Connect, and Pu'ulu La'apau Wellness programs. An informational session is scheduled for October 16, 2026, via Zoom. Applications for the HOME RUN Education Award are currently open. Event schedule: - HOME RUN Informational Session - October 16, 2026 - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM HST - Zoom Meeting https://hawaii.zoom.us/j/89630276042

Hawai‘i AHEAD continues active engagement with stakeholders to develop the Hospital Global Budget and primary care methodologies. The program is supported by a $12 million CMS award and includes milestones through 2025 leading to a performance year starting in 2027. Collaborative efforts involve key partners such as Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

Kula Hospital is proposing an expansion to achieve CAH status by adding emergency services and reconfiguring beds. The project is locally debt-financed with no explicit federal subaward cited, but is designed to qualify for future cost-based Medicare (and potentially Medicaid) reimbursement. This will improve financial viability and enable better urgent care access for the rural Maui community.

This editorial highlights the importance of using federal funds to narrow health care gaps for rural residents in Hawaii through the RHTP. It emphasizes quality care closer to home as a key goal.

Agenda for the Hawai’i AHEAD Steering Committee meeting, including a presentation on the Rural Health Transformation Program and general updates. No specific funding or award details provided.