|
Dear Colleagues,
As autumn arrives and communities prepare for the season ahead, telehealth continues to create new opportunities for accessible, high-quality care. In this October edition of Northeast Connections, we explore open and upcoming funding opportunities, technology innovations, and recently highlighted best practices that are helping providers, patients, and communities make the most of digital health solutions across the region.
Four actions for this month:
- Revisit your State's RHTP Page to prepare or apply for potential funding opportunities
- Explore open Federal Funding Opportunities
- Prepare for the release of the 2027 Physician Fee Schedule in November
- Make plans to attend a conference or upcoming regional event this fall!
Remember, NETRC is here to support you, and we'd love to help. As always, thanks for the work you do, and for taking a few minutes to stay current with us!
On behalf of the entire NETRC Team, be well,
Reid Plimpton, MPH - Program Manager
| | The Northeast RHTP Corner | | |
RHTP Funding:
As Year 1 rolls forward and states begin to plan for Year 2 of this historic funding opportunity across the NETRC region and nationwide, we're following closely to help you stay informed and able to seize opportunities that align with your organization's goals. This RHTP section continues to serve as a reliable resource in the Northeast Connections newsletters for the foreseeable future.
National Resources
Each state has its own webpage that provides information on the various components of its RHTP plan; these are listed below. Some states are collaborating with local organizations to implement different aspects of the work plan. While each state's timeline for these efforts will be unique, they are all moving forward quickly to kick off their projects. The NETRC team encourages you to visit these pages frequently to ensure you have the opportunity to engage and participate.
State RHTP Webpages
| | |
Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Digital Health Funding Opportunities Now Open
MCD Global Health, the Technology and Innovation partner for the Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), is inviting healthcare organizations, clinical service providers, and technology partners to apply for funding for digital health projects that reduce distance as a barrier to care in rural Maine. Current funding opportunities include:
-
Virtual Quick Care – same-day virtual acute care, including evenings and weekends
-
Provider-to-Provider Specialty Consultations – live consults and eConsults for primary care
-
Adult Remote Patient Monitoring – hypertension, heart failure, and other chronic conditions
-
Perinatal Remote Patient Monitoring – home monitoring for pregnant and postpartum patients
-
Perinatal Specialty Telehealth – specialist consults for rural obstetric and neonatal providers
-
Perinatal Mental Health (Mammha) – app-based mental health support for perinatal patients
-
Nursing Home Telehealth – geriatric and geriatric psychiatry specialty care
-
Youth Tele-behavioral Health – school-based behavioral health for ages 12–18
-
Teledentistry – asynchronous dental consultations for underserved communities
-
Automated Text Messaging: Chronic Conditions – reminders, education, and follow-up prompts
| | |
Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Rural Partner - Request for Applications (RFA). Open through 11/9/26 5pm EST!
Through this procurement, eligible entities will be able to apply for a range of supports across RTHP activities.
RHTP is a five-year federal investment designed to strengthen rural health across Massachusetts. The program has three goals:
- Ensure rural residents can access needed health care services
- Generate opportunities to improve the health and well-being of rural residents
- Scale systems, policies, and investments to meet the unique needs of rural communities
RHTP is organized across seven Initiatives and 34 Activities designed to address priority needs in rural healthcare access, population health, workforce, technology, community health, emergency medical services, and facility modernization. This RFA provides eligible applicants with the opportunity to seek support for activities across six of the seven RHTP Initiatives.
Due to the high volume of questions received and in order to allow applicants sufficient time to review the answers that will be published, the deadline for the Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Rural Partner Request for Applications (RFA) has been extended to Monday, November 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Answers to questions received will be posted on the RHTP Rural Partners RFA page on COMMBUYS and a reminder will go out when answers are posted.
| | Federal Funding Opportunities | | Recent announcements and forecasts across federal agencies reflect a continued emphasis on digitally enabled care models. These opportunities range from large-scale innovation models and behavioral health system transformation grants to research funding and broadband infrastructure programs. Below are upcoming federal opportunities that include a telehealth component. | Open Federal Funding Opportunities Supporting Telehealth | | |
Empire State Development Announces $12 Million in New Digital Equity Grant Opportunities, Expanded Public Awareness Campaign for Affordable Broadband, and the Launch of Statewide Resource Finder
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced $12 million in new funding through the ConnectALL Digital Equity Program to expand proven digital inclusion programs and support innovative approaches that help New Yorkers make full use of affordable, reliable broadband. ESD also announced the launch of the New York State Digital Equity Resource Finder open beta, an interactive map and directory that features more than 1,000 digital inclusion resources and services statewide; and new multilingual affordable broadband outreach materials available in 11 languages.
| | |
Senior Corps Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a federal AmeriCorps grant program that funds organizations to engage adults aged 55+ in community service, with competitive funding available through a national competition.
| |  | |
Virtual Living Room - Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas (VA)
Virtual Living Room is a grant program that combines rural technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources, and local support to provide solutions to improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas.
| | Forecasted Federal Funding Opportunities Supporting Telehealth | | |
Telehealth Nutrition Services Network
Grant Programs (HRSA)
Estimated Post Date:
February 2, 2027
Estimated Application Due Date:
May 1, 2027
| | | |
Chronic Care of Telehealth Centers of Excellence Program (HRSA)
Estimated Post Date:
February 1, 2027
Estimated Application Due Date:
May 3, 2027
| | |
Rural Health Care Telecommunications (Telecom) Program (FCC-USAC)
Estimated Funding Window:
December 1, 2026 - April 1, 2027
Estimated Application Due:
April 1, 2027
| | State Legislatures are in various stages of preparing for their next calendar sessions in late 2026 or early 2027, but there was passage of several telehealth related bills across the region during the previous session, see below for some highlights and to learn more. | | | | | |
Connecticut
HB 5142 An Act Concerning The Use Of Technology For Virtual Monitoring In Residential Care Homes
The legislation establishes the right of residents in residential care homes to use technology for virtual monitoring, which must be at their own expense and comply with privacy laws.
To learn more, click here.
| | |
Maine
LD 2082 An Act To Regulate The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Providing Mental Health Services
The bill restricts the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for providing mental health services, mandating that these services must be conducted by licensed professionals
To learn more, click here.
| | | |
Massachusetts
S 716 An Act Relative To Telehealth Parity For Nutrition Counseling
The legislation mandates that the rate of payment for medical nutrition therapy and behavioral health services provided by in-network providers through telehealth technologies must not be less than the rate for the same services delivered in person.
To learn more, click here.
| | |
New Hampshire
HB 1735 NH Relative to the Practice of Pharmacy, the Dispensing of Certain Medications by Pharmacists, and Permitting Treatment of Certain Severe Illness Under the Right to Try Act
The legislation permits pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply of noncontrolled oral anti-cancer medication and authorizes licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to engage in remote processing. Amends the definition of "telehealth prescreening' to include a person with a qualifying severe illness (as opposed to only a terminal illness).
To learn more, click here.
| | | |
New York
A 9515 NY Relates to Requirements for the Provision of Medication for Medical Aid in Dying
Relates to requirements for medical professionals and health care facilities that provide medication to patients for medical aid in dying; extends the initial effectiveness of certain provisions relating thereto. Amends laws regarding medical aid in dying, including the ability for attending physicians to prescribe via telehealth.
To learn more, click here.
| | |
Rhode Island
HB 7538 RI An Act Relating to Health and Safety-Use of Artificial Intelligence By Healthcare Providers Notification Act
The act mandates that healthcare providers and facilities must notify patients when artificial intelligence is used to document their visits, whether in-person or via telehealth. This requirement applies to all professionals and facilities that utilize AI for such purposes. The purpose of the act is to ensure transparency and inform patients about the involvement of AI in their healthcare interactions. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
To learn more, click here.
| | | |
Vermont
H 583 VT- An Act Relating to Clinical Decision Making
The act establishes restrictions on the influence of private equity groups and hedge funds over clinical decision-making in Vermont's healthcare facilities to safeguard healthcare providers' autonomy in medical judgments. Defines telehealth under the definition of health care services in a bill that deals with prohibited business practices for providers.
To learn more, click here.
| |
|
Don't Miss the 2026 New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) Conference
On November 17th and 18th at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, New Hampshire, NERHA will convene rural health leaders across New England to explore how innovation, collaboration, and community are shaping the future of rural health.
Learn More and Register Today
| | |
Join us in celebrating National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on November 19, 2026!
Download and share these free resources to help spread the word and be part of the #PowerOfRural celebration.
National Rural Health Day (NRHD), founded in 2011 by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), honors the individuals and communities working every day to support and strengthen rural health across America.
To learn more about National Rural Health Day and the Power of Rural, visit powerofrural.org.
| | |
Top Telehealth News Just For You
Every month, we gather the latest and most relevant telehealth news stories to keep you informed. You can find these stories and more in our website's news library.
| | |
Warner, Blackburn Urge Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to Reconsider Proposed Restrictions on Remote Patient Monitoring
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider sweeping proposed changes to remote patient monitoring (RPM) that could limit access to care for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural communities and those served by hospitals and small and independent practices.
| | | |
Key Telehealth Policy Developments From CCHP's Policy Finder
Telehealth policy continues to evolve across the country, with states regularly updating requirements related to coverage, reimbursement, professional practice, and access to care. The following states have updated telehealth policies: Delaware, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Virgin Islands, and Washington.
| | |
Building an asynchronous telehealth model clinicians can use
Scaling care without appointments requires disciplined staffing, intelligent routing, streamlined documentation, and reimbursement that recognizes its value.
| | | |
CMS extends ACCESS model to more chronic conditions as agency officials' eye cross-payer alignment
The Trump administration is rapidly expanding its 10-year ACCESS Model, a value-based payment program that reimburses digital health companies based on patient outcomes rather than services delivered.
| | Other Research + Resources | | Have telehealth questions? | | |
NETRC | netrc@mcd.org | 800-379-2021 | netrc.org
| | | The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center has been made possible by award number U1U42523 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth: HRSA / DHHS. | | | | |
