Safety-Net Providers · Implementation · 6 min read
How can safety-net providers and FQHCs use Rural Health Transformation Program funding?
Safety-net providers and FQHCs serve the highest-need rural patients, making them natural partners for RHTP's prevention and access priorities. In practice, safety-net providers and FQHCs can fund chronic-disease and prevention programs for underserved patients, integrated behavioral and oral health, enabling services (transportation, interpretation, navigation), and telehealth access for remote patients. These map most naturally to the evidence-based prevention and chronic-disease management, and additional uses that promote sustainable access categories, and FQHCs and safety-net clinics participate as sub-recipients, frequently in partnership with hospitals and behavioral health agencies.
Where RHTP fits
Safety-net providers and FQHCs serve the highest-need rural patients, making them natural partners for RHTP's prevention and access priorities.
Fundable program types
RHTP can support a range of work for safety-net providers and FQHCs:
- chronic-disease and prevention programs for underserved patients
- integrated behavioral and oral health
- enabling services (transportation, interpretation, navigation)
- telehealth access for remote patients
How to engage with the funding
FQHCs and safety-net clinics participate as sub-recipients, frequently in partnership with hospitals and behavioral health agencies.
Because states apply and are accountable; sub-recipients (providers, plans, vendors) deliver, the practical move is to track your state's solicitations and align your proposal to its plan.
A common pitfall to avoid
Enabling services are easy to fund and hard to sustain; build them into a reimbursable or measurable model early.
Frequently asked questions
- Are safety-net providers and FQHCs eligible for RHTP funding?
- Not directly: states hold the award. safety-net providers and FQHCs participate through state solicitations as sub-recipients or partners.
- Which allowable-use categories fit safety-net providers and FQHCs best?
- The evidence-based prevention and chronic-disease management, and additional uses that promote sustainable access categories are the most natural fit.
Figures reflect the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program NOFO and the December 2025 award announcement. RHTP Tracker is an independent resource by Moodr Health and is not affiliated with CMS.