Georgia

Primary FOA (Telehealth Enhancements)

Event schedule: - On , the Department of Community Health (DCH) held the GREAT Health Public Awareness Webinar. See the presentation and the recording. - June 11 - All live and upcoming grant opportunities for Year 1 funding will be ma... - Webinar: First Round of GREAT Health Applications Accepted Beginning - May 15 - All live and upcoming grant opportunities for Year 1 funding will be made available at greathealth.georgia.gov. - The Georgia Department of Community Health held its first LOI hospital webinar on Friday, . The webinar provided further details on the funding available and prioritized for LOI hospitals within RHTP, as well as a sta... - On , GHA hosted an educational program to help hospitals better understand and evaluate participation in the AHEAD (Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design) Model as part of the state’s GREAT Health... - On , DCH held a webinar to provide an overview on the AHEAD (Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design) Model, a new value-based care initiative for rural areas coordinated with the state's Rural Heal...

The Georgia Department of Community Health issued a Notice of Intent to Award for Initiative 5, targeting healthcare innovation via technology in rural Georgia hospitals. Fourteen rural hospitals and medical centers each received $2 million in grant funding. Awards depend on CMS final approval and vendor availability. Key contacts: Patrick Long Patrick.Long@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Solicitation Close Date - June 15, 2026 - Notice of Intent to Award Posting Date - July 31, 2026

Georgia’s GREAT Health Initiative 3 aims to connect rural hospitals and health providers through statewide telehealth enhancements using a three-hub networked model. The program will modernize digital infrastructure, expand specialty and behavioral health access, and build workforce capacity to improve care for rural populations. Specific outcome goals target maternal health, reduced ED utilization, and increased preventive care integration. Event schedule: - Implementation Start - Governance and Collaboration - 01/01/2026 - Georgia - Public release/application snapshot - April 22, 2026 - GREATHealth.georgia.gov

This RHTP funding opportunity provides $10,000,000 for telehealth enhancements in rural Georgia. Priority will be given to hospitals that previously participated in AHEAD model pre-implementation. The program seeks to expand access, build collaboration, and improve sustainability in rural healthcare networks. Key contacts: GREATgrant@rsmus.com Event schedule: - Application Opening - June 15, 2026 - GREAT Health Application Portal - Application Closing - July 15, 2026 - GREAT Health Application Portal

Event schedule: - GREAT Health Funding Opportunity Announcement The information provided below is intended to assist eligible applicants with developing and submitting applications within the GREAT Health Application Portal. This funding opportunity is for Budget Period 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which runs from the date of award through , 2026. All funds awarded from this announcement must be spent by September 30, 2027. For assistance with this application, please contact GREATgrant@rsmus.com with questions. Funding Initiative 5: Leveraging Technology in Support of Healthcare Opportunity: Innovations in Rural Georgia Strategy: Workforce Retention Technology Application Portal Round: 4 Tier: 2 Information Opening: June 15, 2026 Closing: July 15, 2026 Funding Amount and $2,000,000 per award At least 1 award available Number of Awards: Funding This funding opportunity is available to rural hospitals in Eligibility: Georgia serving the 126 rural/partial rural counties defined as the eligible rural area under the GREAT Health Program in the Georgia Department of Community Health’s application to CMS. Hospitals previously submitting a signed Letter of Intent for Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model pre-implementation to the Georgia Department of Community Health will receive priority in the application process. Only hospitals with technology-ready facility space will be considered eligible for funding. Description and The Workforce Retention Technology Grant is designed to Purpose of Funding: strengthen rural surgical workforce recruitment and retention This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award, deliverables pursuant to the Grant award, and Grantee’s responsibilities thereto. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - October 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - by supporting the acquisition and implementation of robotic surgical technology in rural hospitals. This technology will expand local access to care and reduce travel barriers for patients in rural communities and is intended to support current and future rural Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. This grant will award $2,000,000 to invest in and implement robotics surgical equipment to retain and recruit surgical talent, including current and future residents and fellows. All funds must be fully expended by , 2027. Additional Information Funding is approved for Year 1 GREAT Health funding. and Guidance for Applicants are required to follow application instructions Application within the application portal and address requirements listed Development: within this funding opportunity. Applicants must identify a vendor prior to the budget approval for the disbursement of funds. The robotic surgery equipment must meet the following specifications: a. Be approved by the appropriate federal regulatory authority for clinical use in the United States b. Support multiple surgical specialties or procedures consistent with organization’s service line strategy c. Provide surgeon-controlled robotic instrumentation d. Include visualization and image capturing capabilities e. Supports recording and data collection capabilities f. Include a manufacturer-supported training and onboarding program for surgery personnel g. Be compatible with existing operating room infrastructure or require only minimal and minor upgrades as part of the technology implementation plan This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - September 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications.

Georgia’s GREAT Health Program received $218.9 million in Year 1 federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program funding to strengthen rural health systems through five major strategic initiatives. Activities span provider readiness for value-based models, behavioral health improvements, access expansion, workforce pipeline development, and health technology upgrades. The program covers 126 rural and partially rural counties and incorporates extensive partnerships and stakeholder engagement. Key contacts: GREAT Health Program Contact greathealth@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Phase 1 Funding Opportunity Release - 03/24/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 1 Deadline - 04/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 2 Funding Opportunity Release - 04/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 2 Deadline - 05/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 3 Funding Opportunity Release (Competitive) - 05/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 3 Deadline - 06/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 4 Funding Opportunity Release (Competitive) - 06/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 4 Deadline - 07/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov

Georgia’s GREAT Health Initiative 5 aims to fund workforce retention by integrating surgical robotics across rural hospitals to increase surgical complexity and improve outcomes. The program includes a multi-year timeline for grant process development, training, and technical assistance through 2031. Event schedule: - Determine candidate rural hospitals eligible for workforce retention technology investments - 01/01/2026 - Georgia - Develop grant process including eligibility criteria and selection framework - 04/01/2026 - Georgia - Disseminate grant opportunities to candidate rural hospitals - 07/01/2026 - Georgia - Review grant proposals submitted by hospitals - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Make selection decisions for workforce retention technology awards - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Purchase and distribute surgical robots - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Train staff and providers at awarded hospitals - 01/01/2027 - Georgia - Provide ongoing training and technical assistance - 04/01/2027 - Georgia

The program implements multiple technology-driven initiatives across 126 HRSA-designated rural counties, including cybersecurity enhancements, an investment fund for rural health technology, EMR system upgrades, surgical robotics procurement, Medicaid eligibility system improvements, consumer engagement tools, behavioral health technology assessments, and telehealth integration in emergency response. These efforts are supported by partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and tech firms, aiming to improve care coordination, workforce retention, and patient engagement while promoting sustainability and scalability. Key contacts: greathealth@dch.ga.gov