Rural Health Transformation Services

EY Rural Health Transformation Services empowers healthcare companies to leverage new federal funding opportunities aimed at enhancing care delivery and fostering healthier rural communities. With strategic planning, application support and post-award management capabilities, we help you strengthen provider networks and improve rural healthcare outcomes.

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Forensic & Integrity Services

The team

Heather E. Meade Photographic Portrait

Principal, Washington Council, Ernst & Young LLP

Photographic potrait of Jill E Powell

Principal, Forensics Insurance & Federal Claims Services, Ernst & Young LLP

Photographic portrait of Kip Ebel

EY Global and Americas Forensic & Integrity Services Life Sciences Leader

Health policy unpacked

Rural health transformation edition

Join CMS’s Alina Czekai and EY’s Heather Meade as they outline the Rural Health Transformation Program—its goals, funding opportunities and expectations for states and providers. Learn key use cases, technical needs and timelines for successful participation.

Pre-award capabilities

We collaborate closely with a variety of healthcare organizations, state entities and public and private partners to create comprehensive roadmaps that strategically outline the use of Rural Health Transformation Program funds. These roadmaps include measurable goals, prioritized strategies and detailed implementation plans tailored to meet the unique needs of rural healthcare providers.
The EY Rural Health Transformation Services team supports providers, payers and other health organizations with essential guidance on navigating the requisite state-defined processes to apply for funds. While health systems and other non-state entities cannot apply directly, we provide strategic insights on the application process and preparation for potential subawards through the states.
Powered by deep experience and insights from our firm’s Washington Council Ernst & Young (WCEY) health policy team, we help you assess the policy landscape, digest the latest programmatic guidance and develop stakeholder engagement strategies that align with shared priorities, fostering collaboration and support across sectors.

Post-award capabilities

To realize the full potential of rural healthcare funding opportunities, companies must implement effective process redesign and program transformation management capabilities. With that in mind, we work closely with health systems to engage stakeholders, manage knowledge and mitigate risks so that awarded funds are utilized effectively to enhance care delivery and improve health outcomes.
Robust post-award monitoring and reporting efforts are critical to maintaining compliance and demonstrating program effectiveness. From automated process flows to financial system integrations and relevant operational metrics, we help you build a comprehensive framework with transparency and accountability at the center.

This visual shows two case studies. The first, Capital investment and infrastructure grants, highlights support for $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and the development of web‑based monitoring tools, resulting in improved financial sustainability and oversight. The second, COVID‑19 Recovery, describes support for healthcare entities in recovering over $10 billion in COVID‑19 funding, delivering financial relief and improved compliance and transparency.

Our latest thinking

Building a minimum viable digital foundation for rural health

Technology is essential to rural health transformation, but only when states invest in the right foundations.

Michael Botos

Why execution discipline now decides rural health funding

The RHTP shifts rural health funding from traditional grants to a performance-based investment, with annual dollars tied to measurable progress.

Michael Botos

Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program

In this webcast, panelists discuss CMS expectations, funding strategies and how states and providers are delivering change through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Embracing an innovation mindset in rural health transformation

Explore the Rural Health Transformation Program: a $50B initiative aimed at enhancing rural healthcare.

Michael Botos + 6

The EY Rural Health Transformation team

Heather Meade

Principal, Washington Council, Ernst & Young LLP

WCEY health care principal, health & tax-exempt policy, former Congressional staffer, recovering ERISA attorney, coalition builder, teacher of civics and math through games. Sideline soccer fan.

Washington, DC, United States

Jill Powell

Principal, Forensics Insurance & Federal Claims Services, Ernst & Young LLP

Deeply committed to supporting state and local governments and businesses after losses and developing our people. Enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking, biking, and spending time with friends and family.

Denver, CO, United States

Kip Ebel

EY Global and Americas Forensic & Integrity Services Life Sciences Leader

Passionate supporter of career journeys. Dedicated to family. Outdoor enthusiast and amateur arborist.

Iselin, NJ, United States

Laura Dillon

Senior Manager, Washington Council, Ernst & Young LLP

Health policy wonk. Former health system best practice researcher, global and mental health advocate. Avid hiker, biker and wayfarer.

Washington, DC, United States

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