Virginia

Virginia Medicaid will initiate a $14 billion procurement to transform its managed care program, targeting implementation in 2024. The transformation will prioritize quality improvement, value-based care, and measurable health outcome improvements. Stakeholder input will be sought in the design of the program. Key contacts: Christina Nuckols christina.nuckols@dmas.virginia.gov Event schedule: - Procurement Launch - 2023 - Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services - Target Implementation Date - 07/01/2024 - Commonwealth of Virginia

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the first Rural Health Transformation grant in Virginia, awarding $127,500 to Virginia Highlands Community College to expand practical nursing training and address regional workforce shortages. The Rural Health Transformation initiative aims to modernize rural healthcare and strengthen local provider pipelines in partnership with educational and healthcare organizations. Registration is open for the Commonwealth's Rural Health Transformation Webinar to inform communities about participation opportunities. Key contacts: Heidi Hertz Event schedule: - Rural Health Transformation Webinar - 06/03/2026 - virtual

Virginia aims to strengthen rural health systems statewide through a nearly $200 million federal award for 2026.

Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program is a historic, federally-funded initiative aimed at strengthening health care access and outcomes across rural communities. The program leverages four interconnected initiatives, focusing on workforce, technology, care delivery, and prevention. The VHHA Foundation is administering new grants for Remote Patient Monitoring and rural physician workforce development, with applications open to rural hospitals and providers. Key contacts: Heather Neil hneil@vhha.com; Kayla Diggs Brody kdiggsbrody@vhha.com Event schedule: - RFA release date - 08/10/2026 - Application deadline date - 09/15/2026 - Awards announced by - 10/30/2026 - Rural Health Transformation webinar presentation - 07/30/2026 - Online webinar

Virginia received a $189.5 million federal grant for Year 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Program, supporting remote patient monitoring and graduate medical education expansion in rural hospitals. Program priorities include workforce development, technology adoption, chronic disease management, and prevention initiatives. RFAs for GME and RPM sub-awards will be released August 10, 2026, with awards announced October 30, 2026. Key contacts: Heather Neil hneil@vhha.com; Vicki Humphreys vhumphreys@vhha.com; Mary O’Connor moconnor@vhha.com; Adrianne Hill ahill@vhha.com Event schedule: - Release Year 1 RFA - 08/10/2026 - ET - Submission Deadline - 09/15/2026 - ET - Awards Announced - 10/30/2026 - ET

Virginia is re-procuring its statewide Medicaid managed care program, Cardinal Care Managed Care, with enhanced focus on quality improvement, data-driven analytics, and equitable access to care. The program introduces a single managed care contract, new models and value-based care initiatives, and specialized plans for foster care youth. Transition to new MCOs and enrollment enhancements take effect July 1, 2025.

This is Virginia's formal application to CMS for the $1B Rural Health Transformation Program (2025-2030), proposing four pillars: technology, workforce, access, and prevention. Major initiatives aim to modernize rural provider infrastructure, build the workforce, improve access via mobile and hybrid models, and support integrated, preventive care for chronic disease and maternal health. Sub-initiative administrators and partners are identified, pending CMS funding approval.

Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program, led by the Department of Medical Assistance Services in partnership with the VHHA Foundation, is launching new initiatives to strengthen access, workforce, and care models in rural communities. Two initial funding opportunities announced are for Remote Patient Monitoring and Attract and Retain Physicians (GME), both administered by the VHHA Foundation. The effort leverages federal RHTP support and includes robust focus on technology, local workforce development, and chronic disease prevention. Key contacts: Heather Neil hneil@vhha.com; Kayla Diggs Brody kdiggsbrody@vhha.com Event schedule: - RFA release date - 08/10/2026 - Application deadline date - 09/15/2026 - Awards announced by - 10/30/2026 - Rural Health Transformation webinar - 07/30/2026 - webinar recording online

This FAQ provides clarification on eligibility, objectives, and requirements for the Virginia Provider Interoperability RFA under RHTP. It addresses allowable project types, funding areas, partnership documentation, application procedures, and relevant reporting and award terms. The document establishes that network capacity and electronic exchange projects serving rural providers are core priorities, and clarifies applicant and partner roles.

In 2025, Virginia launched its largest-ever Medicaid managed care transformation, transitioning 1.7 million people into the Cardinal Care system. Major advances include improved outcomes in maternal and behavioral health, significant reductions in avoidable emergency room visits, and strengthened oversight mechanisms. The state reported robust workforce retention, enhanced IT security, and progress in language and disability access.