How States Can Leverage the $50B Rural Health Transformation Program to Advance Health Equity
Applications are due by the end of 2025. States must act quickly to modernize care coordination and capture funding.
A Historic Opportunity for States
The passage of new federal healthcare provisions, including the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), has opened an unprecedented funding opportunity: $50 billion for states to transform rural health systems. With applications due by the end of 2025, states must design and implement infrastructure that improves access, coordinates services, and ensures sustainable health equity. The challenge? Most providers still rely on manual spreadsheets and fragmented workflows, leaving vulnerable populations without the support they need and putting federal funding at risk.
Why Closing the Loop on Referrals Matters
Studies show that up to 50% of health and social referrals never result in care. This means millions of dollars in wasted resources, missed compliance, and unmet needs for individuals facing barriers such as food insecurity, housing instability, or lack of transportation. To meet new CMS requirements mandating SDoH tracking from screening through follow-up, states need proven, data-driven models that ensure referrals don’t fall through the cracks. That’s where WellCheck’s EquiLoop comes in.
EquiLoop: Purpose-Built for Public Health
EquiLoop is a Closed-Loop Referral Platform designed to ensure every referral is tracked to resolution. Unlike EHRs, which were built for clinical documentation, EquiLoop was built hand-in-hand with public health departments to serve real-world community needs.
Proven Results in the Field
In a single client deployment, EquiLoop has already:
Screened 11,129 individuals Delivered 22,274 services Achieved a 92.3% referral completion rate — more than double the national benchmark.
Why It Matters Now
- CMS mandates SDoH follow-up for Medicaid-serving providers.
- Half of all referrals go unresolved without closed-loop infrastructure.
- States risk leaving billions on the table if they fail to submit compliant, outcomes-driven proposals for RHTP funding.
Not an EHR—Something More
EquiLoop is not an Electronic Health Record (EHR)—and that’s exactly why it works. EHRs weren’t designed to handle social referrals, consent management, or long-term follow-up across community organizations. EquiLoop complements existing clinical systems or runs independently for resource-constrained agencies.
The Path Forward for States
“States are entering a new era of healthcare, where funding is tied not just to access, but to outcomes,” said Chris Nickerson, CEO of WellCheck. “EquiLoop is already proving that referrals can be closed, outcomes improved, and compliance protected. With the RHTP deadlines approaching, states need turnkey, field-tested solutions—and that’s exactly what we deliver.”
Key Takeaways for State Leaders
- The RHTP makes $50 billion available for rural health innovation.
- States must submit proposals by end of 2025.
- CMS requires SDoH screening, tracking, and follow-up.
- EquiLoop provides the infrastructure and proven results to meet those requirements and maximize funding impact.
About WellCheck
Founded in 2015, WellCheck is a public health innovation company advancing Total Health Equity through smarter technology. Its flagship platform, EquiLoop, has been recognized by local and state health departments for modernizing care coordination, driving compliance, and connecting communities to real support.
Learn more at www.wellcheck.us or contact us to schedule a demo.
