CHART Model

CHART Model Lessons for Rural Health Transformation

By Engineering Solutions, Inc.

Lessons from the CMS CHART Model informing Rural Health Transformation Plans (RHTPs)
Key takeaways from the CMS Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model.

At a Glance

  • What is CHART? CMS’s Community Health Access and Rural Transformation demonstration to improve rural care delivery.
  • Why it matters: CHART lessons directly inform current Rural Health Transformation Plans (RHTPs).
  • Focus: Stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, payment flexibility, data-driven improvement.

Key Lessons from the CHART Model

  • Engage early & often: Rural hospitals, clinics, EMS, tribal health, FQHCs, payers, and community leaders shape durable solutions.
  • Pair policy with TA: Technical assistance and governance cadences accelerate adoption and sustain momentum.
  • Flexible pathways: Toolkits, policy briefs, and academic partnerships can complement or precede formal procurements.
  • Data as infrastructure: Common data models and shared dashboards enable measurement, transparency, and performance-based improvement.
  • Workforce pipelines: Regional training partnerships and telehealth hubs expand specialty access and reduce travel burden.

Applying CHART Lessons to Today’s RHTPs

  1. Stakeholder Design: Launch a multi-sector steering group and schedule listening sessions in rural communities.
  2. Technical Assistance Engine: Stand up a TA/PMO for compliance, procurement readiness, and change management.
  3. Data & Interoperability: Use FHIR-ready data hubs and shared quality dashboards to align providers and payers.
  4. Payment & VBC: Pilot value-based models that reward access, outcomes, and financial stability for CAHs and rural clinics.
  5. Workforce & Telehealth: Build regional coverage maps, eConsults, and virtual care routing to close access gaps.

Focus keyphrase: CHART Rural Health Transformation – CHART lessons guide state RHTPs toward measurable, sustainable change.

What States Can Do Now

  • Run a 6–12 week plan sprint: Codify priorities, define pilots, secure leadership alignment, and publish a roadmap.
  • Be “shovel-ready”: Pre-draft scopes, BAAs, and performance measures to accelerate procurement and launch timelines.
  • Show impact per dollar: Tie pilots to solvency, access, and outcomes (e.g., reduced ED transfers, stabilized CAHs, improved stroke times).

Why Engineering Solutions, Inc.

  • CMS, Medicare, Medicaid modernization and compliance leadership.
  • Stage-Gate PMO, IV&V integration, vendor oversight, and governance.
  • FHIR-ready data strategy, privacy/security layering, and outcomes tracking.
  • Rural transformation playbooks aligned to CHART Rural Health Transformation best practices.

Let’s Talk

If your state is building a Rural Health Transformation Plan, we can help translate CHART lessons into action.