HHS Region 5 · Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Program Overview
Illinois is currently implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program, having received federal award approval and allocated first-year funding. Led by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the program aims to expand equitable access and reduce barriers in rural areas through hospital transformation, workforce development, technology-enabled care, maternal and chronic disease priorities, and capacity-building for providers and community organizations. HFS is actively establishing governance structures, issuing NOFOs, advancing regional partnerships, supporting performance tracking, and engaging stakeholders as part of its multi-year plan. The structured plan continues to track multiple initiatives and strategic goals toward building a resilient rural healthcare delivery ecosystem. Current structured plan tracks 8 key initiatives and 12 strategic goals.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Illinois — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (102)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 5,182,090 | 13.5% | 9.9% |
| DuPage County | 930,024 | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Lake County | 714,223 | 8.3% | 5.8% |
| Will County | 701,462 | 7.3% | 5.5% |
| Kane County | 517,255 | 7.9% | 5.6% |
| McHenry County | 312,591 | 6.2% | 4.3% |
| Winnebago County | 283,292 | 15.6% | 11.1% |
| Madison County | 264,238 | 11.1% | 7.6% |
| St. Clair County | 253,694 | 13.6% | 9.5% |
| Champaign County | 208,741 | 19.1% | 7.2% |
| Sangamon County | 194,947 | 13.1% | 8.5% |
| Peoria County | 179,645 | 15.7% | 10.1% |
AI source: IL - 2026 - ruralhealthtp
AI auto-updated Nov 11, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
GuideGetting ready for Year 2 in Illinois?How to prepare for RHTP Year 2 funding →
Source: CMS State Data Maps ↗ · checked Nov 11, 2026
Federal awards to date: $383,876,670.24 (Year 1 $193.4M + Year 2 $190.5M)
Initiatives (8)
CMS stages run from Stage 0 (planning) to Stage 5 (full implementation). Complete In progress Not started
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
1 related document
IL - 2026 - For Media
Illinois HFS media index containing RHTP award announcement
1,635,249 rural residents
Illinois has released planning grant eligibility criteria and funding allocations for rural hospitals, enabling applications for sub-awards. State NOFOs are active or recently closed, with sub-awards already made to key networks such as ICAHN, which received $50M to administer technology and workforce grants for rural hospitals through June 2027. Over $30M is specifically allocated for technology upgrades at rural hospitals, and ICAHN is conducting needs assessments to direct additional funds for digital transformation. The state continues to support local procurement and the distribution of funds, with core hospital and provider subgrants underway. State opportunities: 9 active (1 open, 8 upcoming, 2 past/closed), $126.2M listed funding. Key opportunities: Illinois RHTP: Team-Based Care Grants for Primary Care and Behavioral Health Providers; Illinois RHTP: Disease Prevention Grants to Hospitals; Illinois RHTP: EMS and Mobile Healthcare — Mobile Health Infrastructure Funds. Strategy alignment: supports care access, prevention, ems priorities.
Illinois’s RHTP continues to focus on investing in rural hospital modernization, strengthening workforce pipelines, and advancing technology infrastructure by partnering with key organizations such as ICAHN, IPHCA, and CBHA. The strategy targets the expansion of integrated care models, disease prevention, and increased access via virtual and mobile healthcare tailored to rural community needs. Ongoing evidence-based interventions and measurable investments drive improvements in workforce recruitment, chronic disease management, and the reduction of care access barriers. The program maintains robust stakeholder engagement and annual milestones to ensure equitable, effective delivery and sustained impact.
Model
Illinois employs a regional-collaborative model uniting hospitals, primary care, and behavioral health providers with community-based organizations. The model integrates hospital transformation, technology and telehealth expansion, and workforce and education pipelines to create sustainable, integrated access to quality rural healthcare.
Key Initiatives (8)CMS official list ↗
Supporting activities (19)
• Hospital system transformation grants for rural facilities, including planning and implementation funding
• Disbursement of planning grants to eligible rural hospitals based on rurality and discharge thresholds
Timeline: Federal funding awarded December 2025; Year 1 implementation begins CY2026. ICAHN initiatives run August 2026 through June 2027. Hospital and CBO infrastructure and workforce pipeline development start in 2026 and continue through 2030, with annual reviews and policy milestones required by October 2028.
Building a Resilient Rural Workforce - Healthcare Workforce Expansion
Building a Resilient Rural Workforce - Rural Health Education Pipeline
Building a Resilient Rural Workforce - Training Healthcare Support Workers
Overcoming Geographic Barriers to Care - EMS and Mobile Healthcare
Overcoming Geographic Barriers to Care - Technological Innovation for Virtual Care
Transforming Rural Healthcare Delivery - Community Care Infrastructure
State Policy Action commitments (0 of 19)
Illinois is participating in the CMS Transforming Maternal Health Model to improve maternal outcomes with a whole-person care approach.
Expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics is underway to improve mental health and substance use services access.
Illinois is part of a federal Cell & Gene Therapy Access Model to improve treatment availability for Sickle Cell Disease.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
No related documents
No linked documents found.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Grouped files
3 related documents
IL - 2025 - Illinois RHT Program
Illinois RHT Program Narrative (Nov 2025 CMS application)
IL - 2026 - ruralhealthtp
Illinois RHT Program Update Briefing (Nov 13 2025, IL General Assembly)
IL - 2026 - Illinois RHTP
RHT Program Update (2026-03-09)
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Grouped files
2 related documents
IL - 2026 - Illinois RHTP
RHT Program Update (2026-03-09)
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Grouped files
3 related documents
IL - 2025 - Illinois RHT Program
Illinois RHT Program Narrative (Nov 2025 CMS application)
Icahn was awarded more than $50 million by the State of Illinois to support the advancement of rural healthcare transformation across the state. This award highlights significant federal funding directed towards improving rural health in Illinois.
This funding opportunity, part of Illinois' Rural Health Transformation Program, allocates $26 million in federal CMS funds in year one to support infrastructure and workforce development for integrated, team-based rural care. Two organizations—IPHCA and CBHA—are identified as direct recipients to regrant and support rural primary care and behavioral health providers. The program aims to promote holistic, sustainable models of care, improve coordination, and reduce fragmentation in rural health services. Key contacts: Dani Mendez https://officeofmedicaidinnovation.jotform.com/form/rural-health-transformation-program; Adriana Perez; Angela Kung Event schedule: - Application Submission Deadline - 4:00 PM CT - Euna system online portal
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Illinois focuses on upgrading technology in rural hospitals to bridge the gap with urban counterparts, leveraging over $30 million in RHTP funds. The program supports Critical Access Hospitals and other rural facilities to enhance care quality through modernization efforts.
Core Initiatives
This document provides a comprehensive summary of Illinois’ application and planning for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). It details the federal RHTP's funding formula, strategic goals, application timeline, and stakeholder-informed health priorities. No awards or sub-grantee allocations are final or stated; all funding information is for reference in anticipation of the state’s application.
Illinois secured $193,418,216 per year for five years from the $50 billion federal RHTP fund to eliminate barriers to healthcare in rural communities. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) administers key Medicaid programs and is involved in transformation initiatives that improve care access and delivery. The program supports initiatives such as the Transforming Maternal Health Model and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics expansion. Event schedule: - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2026 - October 13 - HFS to host Illinois State Fair attendees in Governor's Tent to highlight the state's healthcare history - CHICAGO — Due to President Trump's Budget Bill (H.R. 1), thousands of lawfully present immigrants in Illinois lost Medicaid coverage, effective , 2026. Get Covered Illinois is offering an immediate path to health insu... - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2026 - August 04 - Springfield- Illinois State Fairgoers are invited to visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ (HFS) booth in Governor JB Pritzker’s tent at the 202... - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2026 - August 04 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month, marking continued improvement on key performance me... - Press Release - Wednesday, , 2026 - July 08 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is launching Licensed Certified Professional Midwife (LCPM) services for Illinois Medicaid customers. - Press Release - Monday, , 2026 - June 15 - Gov. Pritzker Signs Medicaid Omnibus Bill into Law - Press Release - Sunday, , 2026 - June 14 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). The n... - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2026 - June 02 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is announcing five participating health care providers in the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service...
Event Schedule
The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) received over $50 million in state-administered funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to modernize rural healthcare in Illinois. The funds will support technology upgrades, chronic disease programs, and workforce investments among eligible rural hospitals. ICAHN will coordinate needs assessments, administer grants, track outcomes, and oversee implementation through June 2027. This funding is part of a broader $50 billion federal RHTP initiative supported by CMS/HHS.
Reference: Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion on Rural Health Transformation Link: https://www.timestribunenews.com/2026/05/15/illinois-critical-access-hospital-network-executive-director-joins-national-discussion-on-rural-health-transformation/
Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director participated in a national discussion on Rural Health Transformation.
October 2028
Deadline for policy implementation
States will have until October 2028 to fully implement the selected policies.
August 1, 2026
Grant agreements take effect
The three grant agreements take effect August 1, 2026.
July 31, 2026
Grant agreements signed
Three grant agreements totaling $50,008,264 were signed by ICAHN with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
July/August 2026
Hospital Transformation funding awards
Develop standards for issuing grant awards for Hospital Transformation funding and make awards – July/August 2026.
May 2026
Awards to ICAHN, IPHCA, CBHA
Facilitate awards to key program partners including ICAHN, IPHCA, CBHA – May 2026.
April 2026
Initial funding awards: HTCs, AHEC at UIC
Make initial funding awards – HTCs, AHEC at UIC – April 2026.
Feb 25, 2026
Funding Restriction Lifted
CMS lifted fund restriction on February 25, 2026.
December 31, 2025
Awards decided and announced
Awards will be decided and announced by December 31, 2025.
December 29th, 2025
CMS awards Illinois RHTP funds
On December 29th, 2025, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Illinois $193.4 million for calendar year 2026 through the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
Dec 29, 2025
Awards Announced
Awards were announced on Dec 29, 2025.
Nov. 5, 2025
Illinois RHTP application submitted
HFS submitted Illinois’ application for funding to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 5, 2025.
Nov 5, 2025
Application Submitted
The RHT application was submitted on Nov 5, 2025.
IL state summary updated: transformationStrategy initiatives: 19 -> 8
Illinois’s RHTP leverages federal and state funding to modernize rural healthcare infrastructure, expand equitable access, and remove care b…
IL RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
IL canonical state summary updated: progressSummary updated · transformationStrategy updated · strategicGoals updated
IL RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
IL - 2026 - Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion on RHT
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed. Showing the 40 most recent of 48.
IL - 2026 - ICAHN Awarded $50M to Lead Rural Health Transformation in Illinois
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IL - 1945 - Page Not Found
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IL - 2022 - Nondiscrimination Statement
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IL - 2026 - Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion on RHT
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IL - 2025 - Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Q & A
2025 · PDF
IL - 2026 - MPCEO RFA FAQ (pdf)
2020-03-27 Illinois Home and Community-Based Waiver Appendix K Submission (pdf)
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-03-20 Telehealth Emergency Amendments Filed to 89 Ill Admin Code Section 140.403 (pdf)
2020-03-19 Illinois Section 1135 Waiver Request (pdf)
2020 · PDF
2020-03-19 1135 Waiver Request Fact Sheet (pdf)
2020-03-27 1115 Waiver Request Fact Sheet (pdf)
2020-03-27 Illinois Section 1115 Waiver Request (pdf)
2020 · PDF
2020-05-12 Appendix K Approved Amendment
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-03-27 Partial Approval Illinois Section 1135 Waiver (pdf)
2020 · PDF
Illinois Medicaid Virtual Healthcare Expansion/Telehealth Emergency Rules UPDATED
2020 · PDF
2020-05-21 COVID-19 Virtual Healthcare Expansion Billing Codes - UPDATED
2020 · PDF
2020-07-23 COVID-19 Fee Schedule--UPDATED
2020 · PDF
2020-08-31 Appendix K: Approved Amendment
2020-2021 · PDF
Illinois Updated September 14, 2020 Illinois Medicaid RHTP Meeting Minutes
2020 · PDF
2020-08-31 Appendix K: Approved Amendment Signed Approval Letter
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-12-04 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-01-06 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-01-28 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-02-08 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-03-01 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-03-03 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-03-26 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-05-07 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-05-19 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-06-10 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-07-09 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-08-20 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-10-04 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-09-01 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-11-02 Appendix K: Approved Amendment Signed Approval Letter IL 0142 (pdf)
2021 · PDF
2021-11-18 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-12-29 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
Managed Care Manual for Medicaid Providers
2016 · PDF
Research Illinois Health Plans
2016 · PDF
IL - 2026 - RHTP - Transforming Rural Healthcare Delivery, Community Care Infrastructure
Official AmpliFund/Euna listing — Community Care Infrastructure (FON 3980-10-26-RHTPCCI)
IL - 2026 - Illinois RHTP
RHT Program Update (2026-03-09)
IL - 2026 - ruralhealthtp
Illinois RHT Program Update Briefing (Nov 13 2025, IL General Assembly)
Illinois will allocate $28.2M in planning grants to up to 97 eligible rural or rural-serving hospitals, supporting financial and strategic transformation. All CAHs and hospitals meeting rurality or discharge percentage thresholds may participate. This represents a major investment focused on hospitals serving rural resident populations.
Core Initiatives
Core Initiatives
Illinois is applying for RHTP funding to address poor rural health outcomes and support at-risk hospitals through system transformation. The plan prioritizes three initiative categories: hospital transformation and partnership models, mobile and technology-enabled rural healthcare, and expansion of the rural health workforce. Proposed funding will scale successful regional models, invest in telehealth and mobile health, and seed workforce and value-based payment reforms statewide.
Core Initiatives
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services awarded a contract to MyOwnDoctor, LLC to deliver Medicaid Preventive Care and Education Organization Services statewide. The program aims to close preventive care gaps among Medicaid enrollees, supporting access, education, engagement, and SDOH connections. Cultural competence, workforce requirements reflecting served communities, and comprehensive quality improvement are mandated. Key contacts: Not explicitly provided Event schedule: - Contract Effective Date - 01/01/2025
Contacts
Core Initiatives