West Virginia Department of Health · Posted August 12, 2026
Application Due
August 26, 2026
Q&A Deadline
August 17, 2026
the Rural Health Link initiative, part of West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Funded by a $2.7 million allocation, the program is designed to catalyze durable, collaborative EMS-led transport models that route low-acuity rural patients to clinically appropriate, lower-cost care settings—including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), primary care, urgent care clinics, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment providers—rather than defaulting to emergency departments. The initiative prioritizes transformation, including new destination models, formal provider partnerships, clinical protocol development, technology integration, workflow redesign, and expansion to areas of greatest need. Activities are strictly intended to launch and support new care delivery approaches and must not duplicate any existing value-based initiatives or mandated programs. Applicants must demonstrate operational capacity to implement new models, readiness to adopt state-approved clinical protocols, ongoing training for EMS personnel and partners, coordinated data reporting meeting CMS and State requirements, and a sustainability and scale plan for post-award continuation. Applicants are required to either show existing provider partnerships or clear plans to establish MOUs or agreements within 30 days of award. Milestone-based funding will be released according to start-up, protocol approval, launch, ongoing operations, and sustainability planning achievements. Grantees must provide monthly and quarterly reports with detailed metrics—such as reductions in emergency department transports, improved care utilization, partnership development, and operational sustainability. Compliance with Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) requirements and robust data integration are mandatory. Non-compliance or failure to meet performance/milestone requirements may result in claw-back, termination, or reallocation of funds per State discretion. This opportunity is open to eligible applicants in all West Virginia counties and aligns with CMS-approved RHTP frameworks focused on improving access, quality, and sustainability in rural health.
Eligible applicants include EMS agencies, county EMS authorities, healthcare system-affiliated EMS providers, Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) with EMS squads, and other organizations with demonstrated experience in emergency response coordination and clinical protocol implementation. Applicants must have operational capability to implement triage workflows, coordinate with receiving facilities, and support real-time data reporting and integration with State systems. Awards may go to one or multiple grantees, based on application quality and county coverage.
Required attachments
WVOASIS Vendor Self-Serve (VSS) Portal (https://www.wvoasis.gov)
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Application Prep
Key Dates: Application Due: August 26, 2026
Budget Range
Contact
Gwyndolyn M. McGee
gwyndolyn.m.mcgee@wv.gov
Mike Sheets
mike.sheets@wv.gov
Rural Health Transformation Program
681-542-4971