Helena, Montana – Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton have announced $3.63 million in funding to help 17 rural emergency medical services (EMS) agencies expand access to healthcare in communities where medical services can be difficult to reach.
The investment will support programs that bring non-emergency medical care directly into patients’ homes, particularly for residents dealing with long-term health conditions or transportation difficulties.
The funding comes through the Rural Health Transformation Program and will help EMS agencies establish or expand community integrated health services across rural and frontier areas of Montana.
“Through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Oz are directly addressing the health needs of rural Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This $3.63 million investment will support 17 EMS agencies in bringing care into Montanans’ homes, helping patients manage chronic conditions, and connecting them to critical health services. We’re grateful for the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to our rural and frontier communities.”
The announcement is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare access for residents who may live far from hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities.
Rural EMS agencies will bring medical services directly to patients
Community integrated health, also known as CIH, allows trained emergency medical professionals to provide certain healthcare services outside traditional medical settings.
Instead of requiring patients to travel to a hospital or clinic for every appointment, qualified EMS personnel can visit individuals at home and assist with medical needs under the supervision of a medical director.
These services are especially important for people who have limited mobility, lack reliable transportation or need regular monitoring because of chronic illnesses.
EMS professionals who receive a CIH endorsement can follow patient care plans developed with medical oversight, helping extend the services normally provided by primary care teams.
Their responsibilities may include checking on patients after hospital discharge, examining possible fall risks, providing wound care and collecting blood samples for laboratory testing.
They may also perform certain medical tests during home visits and help patients find community resources.
For individuals living with conditions such as asthma or diabetes, CIH professionals can offer education, monitor symptoms and provide appropriate treatment within their authorized responsibilities.
The program can also help patients arrange transportation and address other needs that may prevent them from receiving regular healthcare.
State officials believe these services can reduce avoidable medical emergencies while helping residents receive timely care.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said Montana’s efforts reflect the broader goals of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
“The Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program is based on one simple idea: your access to quality health care shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code,” Dr. Oz said. “Funding new approaches to expand community integrated health services is an important step toward achieving that vision for rural Montana, and I look forward to seeing RHTP dollars support equally transformative innovations for rural communities nationwide.”
Seventeen Montana EMS agencies selected to receive funding
The $3.63 million investment will be distributed among 17 agencies serving communities throughout Montana.
The recipients include Sheridan Memorial in Plentywood, the City of Billings, Vitology EMS in Kalispell, Madison Valley EMS in Ennis and Logan Health in Shelby.
Other selected organizations are Prairie County Ambulance, Bitterroot Health in Hamilton, Central Valley Fire in Belgrade, the City of Livingston and Billings Clinic in Broadwater.
Additional funding will go to Wibaux County Health, Red Lodge Fire Rescue, Interstate Medical Transport in Deer Lodge, Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown, Jefferson Valley EMS in Whitehall, Seeley Lake Fire Rescue and Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka.
The awards were provided through the DPHHS Community Integrated Health Pilot Site Grant for fiscal year 2026.
According to state officials, individual funding amounts were determined by each agency’s application and its demonstrated needs.
The program is intended to help agencies build the resources necessary to provide medical care beyond their traditional emergency response duties.
Funding will support staffing, equipment and transportation
The grants can be used for several types of expenses connected to establishing or expanding community integrated health services.
Agencies may hire additional full-time employees or expand existing positions to support patient care.
The money can also cover travel costs for home visits and transportation assistance for patients who need help reaching medical appointments.
Other approved expenses include medical equipment, supplies and technology needed to connect EMS services with broader healthcare systems.
For example, agencies may invest in software that allows patient information to be shared through electronic health record systems.
Funding may also support continuing education, operational improvements, infrastructure needs and materials used to inform residents about available services.
These investments are designed to help EMS agencies work more closely with hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers.
DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton emphasized that the program will allow emergency medical workers to play a larger role in supporting patients with ongoing medical needs.
“This pilot is a critical link between underserved Montanans and health care services,” Dir. Brereton said. “Front-line providers such as EMTs and paramedics, many of them volunteers, will be able to do more for people with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes by meeting patients where they are.”
Program prioritizes rural communities with limited healthcare access
To qualify for the grants, EMS agencies must be located in rural Montana or provide services to rural communities.
Applicants must also demonstrate that they can operate a community integrated health program.
Priority consideration was given to agencies serving rural or frontier areas that already operate a CIH program or have previously provided these services.
The goal is to strengthen healthcare delivery in places where residents may face longer travel distances, fewer medical providers and limited access to routine treatment.
By allowing trained EMS professionals to assist patients at home, state officials hope to improve the management of chronic conditions and reduce unnecessary emergency visits.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The federal financial assistance award associated with the program totals $233,509,358.76 and is funded entirely by CMS and HHS.
The funding announcement also notes that the program materials reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily represent an official endorsement or position of CMS, HHS or the federal government.
For the 17 Montana agencies receiving grants, the new investment provides an opportunity to expand services beyond emergency transportation and response.
State officials expect the pilot program to help more rural residents receive medical attention in their own communities, with a particular focus on people who need continued support for chronic health conditions.
