Rural Health Care Delivery Fund

The Rural Health Care Delivery Fund (RHCDF) is administered by the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and is designed to improve access to primary care services in rural communities across New Mexico. The HCA is the primary state agency overseeing Medicaid and health care systems, and this fund specifically supports rural Medicaid-enrolled providers to launch or expand services that are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The current funding opportunity covers the 2026–2028 fiscal years, with a strong emphasis on projects that address service gaps in rural counties through integrated, team-based, and person-centered care delivery models. The primary objective of the RHCDF is to reduce the operating losses and start-up costs associated with expanding rural health services. Funding may be used for operational costs, equipment leasing, legal and accounting fees, personnel recruitment and retention, and other startup-related expenses. However, construction or the purchase of land or buildings is prohibited. The fund encourages proposals that promote accessible, preventive, and coordinated care delivery. In this current cycle, proposals must focus on primary care integration in underserved areas and target whole-person care models, including behavioral and physical health. Eligible applicants include rural health care providers and facilities licensed in New Mexico who are enrolled Medicaid providers actively serving Medicaid recipients. Applicants must provide services in rural counties with populations under 100,000, as defined by the 2023 Census. Exceptions for non-rural locations may be granted with strong justification. Additional eligibility requirements include meeting state licensing standards and a commitment to begin showing measurable progress within 120 days of contract execution. The funding period runs from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, and awardees must serve Medicaid beneficiaries throughout the entire duration of the grant. The total program funding is $20 million, and the number of awards will depend on funding availability and application quality. Applicants may submit multiple proposals, provided each represents a distinct project. Applications must demonstrate anticipated revenue loss, clearly differentiate funding sources to avoid duplication, and include a detailed final budget aligned with a project workplan. Quarterly and annual reports are required, and awardees must retain sufficient financial records for auditing. Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee, and awards are subject to final approval by the HCA Secretary. Key deadlines include the application opening on July 1, 2025, and closing on August 15, 2025. A technical assistance webinar will be held on July 2, 2025, with another budget-specific session on July 7, 2025. Applicants will be notified of awards between October 1 and October 31, 2025. The contracting period will occur from November 1 to December 31, 2025, with payments expected to begin within one month of a fully executed contract. Applications must be submitted through the designated Submittable portal, with confirmation emails required as proof of submission. All inquiries must be directed to Elisa Wrede, Strategic Planning Director at HCA, through the official Primary Care Council webpage. No other HCA personnel may be contacted regarding the RFA, and failure to comply may result in disqualification. The RFA also includes a detailed scoring rubric evaluating alignment, project design, impact, sustainability, financial justification, and service to special populations.

Align budget with workplan. Ensure each quarter has activity in workplan. Include quantifiable goals.