For the more than 1.5 million residents living in Virginia's "rural horseshoe," location has long determined the quality of care. Provider shortages, lengthy drives to specialists, and unreliable internet have contributed to higher rates of chronic disease and premature death compared to the rest of the state. Virginia's Rural Vitality program is designed to change that.
Backed by $189.5 million in first-year funding through CMS's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), this five-year initiative spans 76 rural counties with a clear mandate: move from one-off clinic visits to continuous, digitally enabled care. Virginia's share is drawn from a $50 billion federal investment dedicated to modernizing rural healthcare delivery and helping close the persistent gaps in access, outcomes, and infrastructure that rural communities have faced for decades.
Remote care management programs like remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM) are among the most proven strategies for reaching patients in rural communities. Below, we break down how Virginia's RHTP application puts these programs front and center. Note: Read the Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program application.
Remote Patient Monitoring: Care That Follows the Patient Home
A key component of Virginia’s VA Rural Vitality proposal is the remote patient monitoring sub-initiative, which is housed within the broader “CareIQ initiative.” The remote patient monitoring sub-initiative is a $79.2 million fund operated through the Virginia Hospital Research and Education Foundation (VHREF) that brings clinical oversight directly into patients' homes.
The program launches with two to three pilot hospitals in year one before expanding across additional health systems. The framework is built around five core elements:
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Connected devices and clinical tools. Cellular-integrated devices, patient apps, and provider dashboards give clinicians a real-time window into patient health between visits.
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EHR integration. Monitoring data flows directly into existing clinical systems, keeping care teams informed without adding manual work.
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Dedicated data support. Funded analysts help clinical staff make sense of incoming data during the first two years of the program.
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Cybersecurity and interoperability. Technical assistance ensures systems work together securely and that staff are trained to use them confidently.
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A path to sustainable payment. Actuarial and analytics partnerships will model pilot savings data to support the development of long-term alternative payment structures.
The remote patient monitoring sub-initiative provides targeted funding to health systems and rural providers for the adoption of remote patient monitoring and continuous care technologies. By extending clinical visibility beyond traditional care settings, these solutions facilitate proactive intervention, enhanced care coordination, and measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
Chronic Care Management: Keeping High-Risk Patients Engaged
RPM captures the data. The sub-initiative of Virginia’s RHT Program, called Consumer Tech for Education and Lifestyle Change and budgeted at $74.0 million, puts the data to work for long-term chronic disease management.
This program focuses on sustaining patient engagement outside clinical settings through:
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Gamification and behavioral incentives that make healthy habits more actionable and easier to maintain over time.
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Digital platform funding covering app licenses, devices, and engagement tools for up to two years to support program launch.
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Integrated care coordination connecting digital tools to existing referral networks for seamless, real-time data sharing.
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Provider-side support helping rural partners choose the right vendors, onboard patients, and build digital health literacy across their teams.
Built to Last Beyond the Grant Period
Virginia's plan goes beyond launching new programs. It's about making them stick. The state is explicitly focused on folding digital health tools into ongoing operating budgets after the five-year funding window closes, supported by alternative payment models that allow rural providers to sustain high-risk population management independently.
How Prevounce Supports Virginia's Rural Providers
For hospitals, federally qualified health centers (FQHC), and rural health clinics (RHC) looking to align with the VA Rural Health Transformation Program, Prevounce provides the clinical and operational infrastructure to put these goals into practice. From cellular-integrated RPM devices and EHR integration to billing and clinical support, we help you turn patient monitoring data into a sustainable revenue stream.
Ready to participate in Virginia's health transformation? Talk to one of our remote care experts today.
* Disclaimer: The above information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Billing and coding requirements — especially in the telehealth space — can change and be reinterpreted often. You should always consult an attorney and/or medical billing professional prior to submitting claims for services to ensure that all requirements are met.