Program Overview
Maine's Rural Health Transformation Program is an actively implemented, federally funded initiative focused on expanding digital health and telehealth infrastructure for rural populations. Current focus areas include youth behavioral health, teledentistry, nursing facility telehealth, perinatal and geriatric specialty telehealth, provider-to-provider consultations, chronic disease management, and workforce development, with multiple targeted grant and subaward opportunities open for applications. The program engages stakeholders through structured guidance, scheduled informational sessions, and milestone-based progress evaluation, organizing efforts across digital health, care delivery, and workforce initiatives with collaboration between Maine DHHS and MCD Global Health. Ongoing implementation is tracked through structured plans monitoring key initiatives and strategic goals across diverse partner sites. Current structured plan tracks 16 key initiatives and 9 strategic goals.
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 - What We Do Who We Are Where We Work News Strategies Opportunities Rural Maine News Resources Contact us DIGITAL HEALTH PROJECTS
AI auto-updated Oct 16, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Grouped files
5 related documents
ME - 2026 - Overview of Federal Budget Reconciliation Law Impacts on MaineCare, SNAP, and CoverME.gov
Auto-grouped context match (37%)
Updated
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: 12 active (4 open, 1 upcoming, 7 closing soon, 3 past/closed), $715.0K listed funding. Key opportunities: Nursing Home Telehealth – Nursing Facilities; Perinatal Specialty Telehealth - Healthcare Organizations; Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultations: Synchronous and Asynchronous Solutions - Primary Care Organizations. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, telehealth, care access priorities.
Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) advances rural health through a comprehensive digital health ecosystem, integrating technology-driven care models and coordinated workforce development. The strategy implements statewide telehealth, remote patient monitoring, virtual quick care, provider-to-provider specialty telehealth, youth tele-behavioral health, teledentistry, and targeted behavioral, dental, perinatal, and specialty health solutions to address rural geographic barriers, improve care quality, and support operational sustainability for providers. Implementation occurs via competitive grants, partner agreements, and ongoing collaboration and evaluation with Maine DHHS, MCD Global Health, and regional stakeholders.
Model
Comprehensive, multi-initiative transformation structured around five pillars: population health, workforce, technology & innovation, access, and sustainable rural health ecosystems. Delivered via competitive and non-competitive funding including fixed amount awards, grants, and partner agreements for digital health, regional planning, workforce development, EMR modernization, and adaptive evaluation.
Key Initiatives (16)
Timeline: Fiscal Years 2026–2030
Many rural residents face long drives averaging over two hours to reach specialists; digital health aims to reduce these 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 - 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
MCD Global Health (RHTP subawardee)
Due Nov 7, 2026
1 related document
ME - 2026 - OPEN Funding Opportunities: Digital Health Projects and Specialty Telehealth Provider Solicitation
Maine RHTP Digital Health Provider RFP Opportunities (live listing)
MCD Global Health (RHTP subawardee)
Due Nov 6, 2026
1 related document
ME - 2026 - OPEN Funding Opportunities: Digital Health Projects and Specialty Telehealth Provider Solicitation
Maine RHTP Digital Health Provider RFP Opportunities (live listing)
MCD Global Health (administered for Maine RHTP, supported by CMS/HHS)
Due Nov 3, 2026
3 related documents
ME - 2026 - digital health
Official MCD Maine RHTP Digital Health Program Page
| FY↓ | Awardee↕ | Amount↕ | Activity↕ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Medical Care Development | $33.8M | — | |
| 2026 | Medical Care Development | $12.2M | — | |
| 2026 | EHR infrastructure in rural Maine Funds to upgrade electronic health record (EHR) infrastructure across rural Maine. | $30.0M | Health IT | |
| 2026 | Eligible health care providers $30 million is available in Year 1 to eligible providers to replace, upgrade, and enhance electronic medical record (EMR) systems serving rural Maine communities. | $30.0M | Health IT | |
| 2026 | Maine rural hospitals (collective) Funds to improve the financial footing of Maine’s rural hospitals as part of the RHTP. | $30.0M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026 | Eligible providers (APM transition) $28.5 million to support transition to alternative payment models (APMs) for eligible rural providers. | $28.5M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026 | University of New England | $12.1M | — | |
| 2026 | 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 | |
| 2026 | Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) Funding to prevent imminent bankruptcy and keep Penobscot Community Health Care, Maine's largest rural health provider, open. | $2.8M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026-2027 | 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 |
Senator Susan Collins authored the Rural Health Transformation Program funding that awarded $2.8 million to Penobscot Community Health Care. This award prevents the bankruptcy of Maine's largest rural health provider and supports rural health system sustainability.
Core Initiatives
Penobscot Community Health Care, Maine's largest rural healthcare provider, avoided an imminent bankruptcy due to a $28 million fund authorized by Senator Collins. This funding is critical to maintaining healthcare services in rural Maine communities.
MCD Global Health was selected as a subawardee to support Maine's rural health technology and innovation initiatives, including telehealth and remote-patient monitoring. The program aims to reduce geographic barriers to specialty care and support behavioral health and chronic disease management across rural partner sites. Key contacts: communications@mcd.org
Contacts
Core Initiatives
This document provides an application portal and instructions for organizations interested in applying for RHTP funding under Maine's Technology and Innovation Strategies program.
Multiple Year 1 RHTP digital health and telehealth funding opportunities are open for rural Maine, covering nursing facility telehealth, perinatal specialty telehealth, remote patient monitoring for chronic disease and maternal/perinatal populations, teledentistry, youth tele-behavioral health, and provider-to-provider specialty consultations. Each opportunity targets improved health outcomes, enhanced access to specialty services, and better integration of telehealth workflows across rural providers. Funding ceilings, eligibility criteria, and application instructions are provided for each initiative; informational briefing sessions and application portals are available. Key contacts: RHTP-DH@mcd.org Event schedule: - Perinatal Specialty Telehealth Application Briefing Session - October 14, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET - Webinar link via https://mcd.org/focus-areas/maine-rhtp/digital-health - VTBH Providers RFA Briefing Session - October 15, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET - Webinar link via https://mcd.org/focus-areas/maine-rhtp/digital-health - Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultation Application Briefing - October 20, 2026 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET - Webinar link via https://mcd.org/focus-areas/maine-rhtp/digital-health - Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Briefing Session - October 15, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET - Webinar
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Maine’s RHTP focuses on five strategic initiatives: Population Health, Workforce, Technology & Innovation, Access, and Sustainable Rural Health Ecosystems. The program is supported by a $190 million Year 1 federal investment and includes funding opportunities such as $30 million for electronic medical record modernization, $28.5 million for alternative payment model transition, and $30 million for rural hospital financial sustainability. Maine’s RHTP Advisory Committee guides program implementation and stakeholder engagement. Event schedule: - Next Advisory Committee Meeting - October 7, 2024 - 12:00 PM ET - https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/82643291830
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
The program supports a variety of subawards and grants targeting youth tele-behavioral health, nursing home telehealth, teledentistry, perinatal specialty telehealth, and remote patient monitoring. Multiple funding opportunities are currently open with scheduled application briefing sessions and Q&A meetings, facilitating access across schools, nursing facilities, primary care, and home health agencies. The program collaborates closely with MCD Global Health and Maine DHHS to deploy these initiatives statewide. Event schedule: - Noon–1 p.m. Thursday, , 2026: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - 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: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - October 16 - 4 p.m - Grant Youth Tele-Behavioral Health Schools, School Districts, School Units, and Youth-serving Communit... - , 2026 October 21, 2026 Submittable - 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: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - October 19 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - Submittable Q&A Session: 1-2 p.m. Friday, , 2026: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - October 16 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - , 2026 October 30, 2026 Submittable - October 9 - 2 p.m - Grant Nursing Home Telehealth Nursing Facilities - 1–2 p.m. Tuesday, , 2026: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - 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: Register/join the Microsoft Teams meeting - October 16 - 3:30 p.m - Grant Teledentistry Schools, Primary Care-based Oral Health Providers and Dental Practices
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
ME RHTP site updated — 2 new, 1 existing source(s) refreshed
ME - 2026 - $2.8 Million from Rural Health Fund Senator Collins Authored Will Keep Penobscot Community Health Care Open
ME RHTP site updated — 3 new, 0 existing source(s) refreshed
ME RHTP site updated — 1 new, 2 existing source(s) refreshed
ME RHTP site updated — 1 new, 0 existing source(s) refreshed
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed. Showing the 40 most recent of 63.
ME - 2026 - Skip to main navigation
HTML
ME - 2026 - Skip to main navigation
HTML
ME - 2026 - MaineCare TPL Exemption Request and Attestation Form
ME - 2026 - Northern Light Health Awarded $4.8M for EMR Upgrades
HTML
ME - 2026 - Maine RHTP and UNE Launch $12M Partnership to Expand Rural Health
HTML
ME - 2026 - 97 23694b08 3056 475e 9e53 37495914997e
HTML
ME - 2026 - Senate Republicans Call on Mills Administration to Support Pchc Rural Health Centers
HTML
ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Support 9.13.2018
XLSX
ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Operations 9.13.2018
XLSX
ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Adult Education Instruction 9.13.2018
XLSX
ME - 2026 - adultedadmin
XLSX
ME - 2026 - postsecondary 0
XLSX
ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Summer School 9.13.2018
XLSX
ME - 2026 - extracurricular 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - cocurricular 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - cteschoolAdmin 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - cteoperations 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - Maine Landing Page (updated: July 31, 2026)
XLSX
ME - 2026 - cteinstruction 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - PreK SpecialEd May2024 ModelChartofAccounts 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - specialeducation updatefortuit
XLSX
ME - 2026 - giftedandtalented 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - esl 0
XLSX
ME - 2018 - School Finance Model Chart of Accounts Alternative Education 9.13.2018
XLSX
ME - 2026 - pk 2 15May2024 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - regularinstruction 0
XLSX
ME - 2026 - School Finance FY27 CTE Program Estimate Allocation Tool 1.22.2026
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY17 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 10May2017
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY18 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 18Jul2017
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY19 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 23Apr2019
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY20 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion April2020
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY21 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 27May2021
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY22 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 22Apr2022
XLSX
ME - 2023 - School Finance FY23 24 MaineCare Seed Adjustment Cumulative 4.20.2023
XLSX
ME - 2024 - FY24 MeCareSeedAdj Cumulative WebVersion 4.25.2024
XLSX
ME - 2026 - FY23 SectionF PreliminaryWarrantArticleforPropertyTaxData 18Jan2022 0
XLSX
ME - 2023 - School Finance FY24 Section F Preliminary Warrant Article for Property Tax Data 3.28.2023
XLSX
ME - 2026 - HISTUITPublic FY19 20190111 1
XLSX
ME - 2026 - BudgetCategoriesModelChartAccts template
XLSX
Maine 12 FY 19/20 October 24, 2019 RHTP Document
DOCX
ME - 2026 - Remote Patient Monitoring: Adult Chronic Disease and Perinatal — Application Portal
RFA budget evidence (live portal, 2026-10-10)
ME - 2026 - Remote Patient Monitoring Application Form (login-walled, not parseable)
Application Portal — Remote Patient Monitoring: Adult Chronic Disease and Perinatal
Core Initiatives
Maine RHTP announced multiple open funding opportunities focused on digital health and specialty telehealth services aimed at expanding access to care in rural areas. The program includes initiatives for virtual quick care, automated text messaging for chronic conditions, nursing home telehealth, teledentistry, remote patient monitoring, and provider-to-provider consultations. Key contacts: communications@mcd.org Event schedule: - Virtual Quick Care Proposal Due - 10/28/2026 - Automated Text Messaging Proposal Due - 10/30/2026 - Remote Patient Monitoring Proposal Due - 11/06/2026
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
MCD Global Health, as subrecipient of Maine DHHS, administers Year 1 RHTP funding opportunities for telehealth and digital health projects targeting rural Maine. Nine project areas, three funding mechanisms (grants, subawards, contracts), and rolling solicitations are described, focusing on behavioral health, maternal health, and care coordination. Application processes, eligibility, allowable costs, and timelines are detailed; outreach and partnership with rural communities are strongly emphasized. All opportunities are accessed and submitted through the MCD RHTP Digital Health Projects webpage. Key contacts: RHTP Digital Health Team RHTP-DH@mcd.org Event schedule: - Youth Tele-Behavioral Health RFA Release - 09/18/2026 - https://mcd.org/focus-areas/maine-rhtp/digital-health - Perinatal Remote Patient Monitoring Opportunity Anticipated Release - 10/09/2026 - https://mcd.org/focus-areas/maine-rhtp/digital-health - Informational Sessions - September 17, 2026 - ET - Held by MCD Global Health and Maine DHHS - Informational Sessions - September 22, 2026 - ET - Held by MCD Global Health and Maine DHHS
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
MCD Global Health and Maine DHHS are rolling out Year 1 RHTP funding opportunities via grants, subawards, and contracts for digital health and telehealth projects serving rural Maine. Applicants can apply to multiple solicitations covering nine CMS-approved project areas, including youth behavioral health, perinatal behavioral health, and chronic disease remote patient monitoring. Guidance is provided for eligibility and allowable costs, with an emphasis on rural reach, care integration, and sustainability. Key contacts: RHTP-DH@mcd.org Event schedule: - Year 1 Solicitation Release Window - 09/18/2026 - Perinatal Remote Patient Monitoring Anticipated Release - 10/09/2026 - Youth Tele-Behavioral Health RFA Posted - 09/18/2026 - Session Recording for Informational Session - 09/17/2026 - Session Recording for Informational Session - 09/22/2026 - Year 1 Funds Spend Deadline - 09/30/2027
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
This FAQ describes Maine's RHTP Year 1 EMR Modernization funding opportunity, which will commit $30 million in federal funds to eligible rural and safety-net providers for EMR upgrades, replacements, enhancements, and connectivity improvements. Applications are accepted from eligible MaineCare-enrolled organizations through an online portal, with awards to be communicated in mid-September and project contracts executed by fall 2026. Key requirements include site-level benefit attestation and data-sharing with HealthInfoNet. Key contacts: rhtp-emr@mcd.org Event schedule: - Earliest reimbursable EMR cost date - 01/01/2026 - EMR application portal opens - 07/20/2026 - EMR applications due - 08/14/2026 - 11:59 PM ET - Online portal - Award amounts communicated - Contracts executed with providers
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives