ACOs · Readiness · 6 min read
Is your organization ready for RHTP? A checklist for accountable care organizations (ACOs)
accountable care organizations (ACOs) are RHTP-ready when they have a fundable program tied to the right allowable-use categories, a partner relationship with the state's mechanism, a measurement plan, and a path to sustainability beyond FY2030. The most common gap is sustainability planning.
Readiness checklist
Before pursuing RHTP dollars, accountable care organizations (ACOs) should be able to answer yes to each:
- Do you have a fundable program (e.g., rural care-coordination and transitions-of-care programs)?
- Can you map it to evidence-based prevention and chronic-disease management, and consumer-facing, technology-driven solutions?
- Do you know your state's solicitation path? (ACOs engage as delivery partners or sub-recipients, aligning RHTP-funded prevention with their existing value-based contracts.)
- Can you measure total cost of care for attributed rural members and related outcomes?
- Do you have a sustainability plan for after FY2030?
The gap most organizations miss
Treating RHTP as grant revenue rather than as fuel for the risk model leaves savings on the table when the funding ends.
Frequently asked questions
- What disqualifies accountable care organizations (ACOs) most often?
- A weak measurement story or no sustainability plan. Treating RHTP as grant revenue rather than as fuel for the risk model leaves savings on the table when the funding ends.
- How long does readiness take to build?
- Organizations with an existing program and data can be ready in weeks; those starting from scratch should plan for months.
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.