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Rural Health Information Hub

Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – Funding & Opportunities

For additional funding options, please see RHIhub's Online Library: Funding & Opportunities

Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Hardship Exception Application
CMS eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) may be exempted from the Medicare Promoting Interoperability payment adjustment if they can show that compliance with the requirement for being a meaningful EHR user would result in a significant hardship. Eligible hospitals and CAHs may submit a hardship exception application each year for a maximum of 5 years.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Nov 30, 2024
Sponsor: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Quality Payment Program Exceptions
The opportunity to apply for exceptions to meeting Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program requirements. The 2 exceptions include extreme and uncontrollable circumstances and promoting interoperability hardship.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Dec 31, 2024
Sponsor: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Leveraging Health Information Technology (Health IT) to Address Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Grants for research that examines how health information technology adoption impacts minority health and health disparity populations in access to care, quality of care, patient engagement, and health outcomes.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. territories
Application Deadline: May 7, 2025
Sponsors: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG)
Loans and grants to assist in the economic development of rural areas, including funds for healthcare facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Assessing Real-World Effectiveness and Implementation of Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication among Rural Communities
Notice of Special Interest for research that generates evidence on the real-world effectiveness of telehealth collaboration among healthcare providers for consultation, second opinions, and other purposes, referred to as provider-to-provider telehealth (PPT). PPT offers remote access to critical health expertise that might not exist locally in some rural communities.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Oct 10, 2026
Sponsors: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
Certified Professional by the American Heart Association - Telehealth (CPAHA) program
A certification program for healthcare professionals interested in demonstrating a commitment to telehealth.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: American Heart Association, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
Economic Development Assistance Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
Funding to support the implementation of regional economic development, including public works projects and job creation projects. Past projects have included funding for water and wastewater projects in hospitals and healthcare facilities and road infrastructure projects that would support the expansion of healthcare facilities. Rural, tribal, and other underserved communities are a program priority.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Economic Development Administration
Rural Health Care Program – Healthcare Connect Fund
Provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of a consortium or a stand-alone entity.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Administrative Company
Rural Health Care Telecommunications (Telecom) Program
Assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to telecommunications and voice services for the use of telemedicine and telehealth.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Administrative Company
Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees
Loans and loan guarantees for the construction, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Utilities Service

Last Updated: 8/27/2024