# Rural Medicaid Alternative Payment Model Program (Initiative 3)

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), through the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability, will provide up to $30M in Year 1 funding for rural providers to implement the target primary-care-led Medicaid value-based care (VBC) model in rural Louisiana. The program supports investment in infrastructure, care coordination, care delivery transformation, performance monitoring, and provider readiness for value-based payments with the long-term goal of progressing toward total cost of care (TCOC) accountability.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: NOFO
- Issued by: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability (Louisiana)
- Posted: 2026-06-29
- Questions due: 2026-07-07
- Application due: 2026-08-07
- Eligible applicants: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Rural Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Independent rural primary care providers or provider groups, Provider coalitions or collaboratives (ACOs, CINs, IPAs, hospital-led partnerships, FQHC/RHC networks)
- How to apply: Submit questions and application online at https://ldh.la.gov/page/rhtp-funding-opportunities per instructions in the NOFO. See full NOFO for required forms and documents.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Secretary/RHTP/initiative-3/RuralMedicaidAlternativePaymentModel_NOFO_Final_revised29June2026.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are: (1) rural Medicaid-serving providers in Louisiana, including FQHCs, RHCs, Rural Hospitals/CAHs, independent rural primary care providers, and provider-led coalitions (ACOs, CINs, IPAs, etc.); (2) applicants must demonstrate they serve rural ZIP codes defined as RUCA 4–10 and satisfy LDH rural provider, licensure, and access-need requirements. Lead applicants may partner with technology or care management vendors, community-based organizations, and other operational partners, but only patient-facing care delivery and readiness activities are fundable.

## Requirements

Applicants must: submit a Statement of Work (per Appendix B); complete the TCOC readiness (Appendix C); provide a detailed budget and narrative; demonstrate a 10% cost share/match; attach required registrations; execute required agreements if selected; incur allowable costs before reimbursement; and submit quarterly and annual reporting on measurable outcomes. Applicants must explain non-duplication and provide data sufficient for tracking quality and TCOC metrics.

## Required attachments

- Statement of Work (Appendix B compliant)
- APM applicant budget template and budget narrative
- IRS Form W-9
- Louisiana Vendor Profile Data Form
- Applicable LDH license and registration documents
- Board Resolution (if applicable)
- Disclosure of Ownership from LA Secretary of State (if applicable)
- SAM (System for Award Management) registration

## Application package and source documents

- [LA - 2026 - Rural Medicaid Alternative Payment Model Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (Full Announcement (Version 1.a, revised June 29, 2026))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/202f87a0-a8bc-43dc-bb76-e3782be1d536/file) (primary) — official: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Secretary/RHTP/initiative-3/RuralMedicaidAlternativePaymentModel_NOFO_Final_revised29June2026.pdf
- [LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook (Initiative 3 APM Applicant Budget Template)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/eac1b250-d40f-4bf0-b2ba-6a002fb5a965/file) — official: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Secretary/RHTP/initiative-3/APM_Applicant_Budget_Template.xlsx
- [LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook (Prior budget workbook (superseded))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/7cc72815-5dc8-4b8a-ba75-4d0282b35f7a/file) — official: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Secretary/RHTP/RHTP_Budget_Workbook_CollaborativeProvider.xlsx
- [LA - 2026 - Menu Office of the Secretary (LDH RHTP program page - Important Dates)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/f6471d9d-94ad-4bdb-8fa7-cd199f49bb43/file) — official: https://ldh.la.gov/page/rural-health-transformation-program
- [LA - 2026 - LDH RHTP Annual Report for Budget Period 1 (Louisiana RHTP annual report — Innovative Care Models)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/e1d8c446-084f-489b-b99e-b267c1d351df/file) — official: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Secretary/RHTP/AC_Meeting_11.05.2026.pdf

More Louisiana RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/la (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/la.md)

---
Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rural-medicaid-alternative-payment-model-program-initiative-3--9149b04e6f — data as of 2026-08-11.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.