Avel eCare Calls for Virtual Health Integration in State Rural Health Transformation Strategies

States across the country are preparing to deploy  $50 billion in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program  (RHT) to modernize care delivery, stabilize rural hospitals, and strengthen healthcare  access for rural communities. 

The program, administered by CMS, is designed to help states advance five core  priorities: 

• Bring more care within reach 

• Strengthen and sustain the rural clinical workforce 

• Modernize rural health infrastructure and technology 

• Drive structural efficiency while empowering community providers • Advance innovative care models and payment reform 

As states finalize and implement their Rural Health Transformation strategies, Avel  eCare - the nation’s leading Virtual Health System - is urging policymakers to prioritize  virtual health as foundational infrastructure, not a supplemental service. 

Why Virtual Health is Central to Rural Health  Transformation 

Rural hospitals serve nearly 46 million Americans who live in rural communities and  represent approximately 35% of all hospitals in the United States, yet many face  persistent workforce shortages, limited specialty access, and financial strain. Since 2010, more than 136 rural hospitals have closed nationwide, according to data from the University  of North Carolina’s Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research cited by the American  Hospital Association. 

RHT funding presents a rare opportunity to move beyond short-term stabilization and  invest in long-term system redesign—but doing so requires scalable solutions that  extend clinical expertise without overburdening local teams. 

That is where virtual health systems like Avel eCare play a critical role.

Avel eCare: Built for Rural, Proven at Scale 

With more than 30 years of telehealth innovation and an established presence  across the country, Avel eCare partners with hospitals, EMS agencies, long-term care  facilities, schools, and government entities to deliver integrated clinical services across both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. 

Unlike standalone telehealth vendors, Avel operates as a fully integrated Virtual Health  System, delivering services across the continuum of care, including: 

● Emergency Department coverage 

● Intensive Care Unit monitoring and intensivist support 

● Hospitalist services 

● Behavioral Health services 

● Specialty Clinic appointments 

● EMS and ambulance telemedicine integration 

● Crisis Care response 

● Senior Care and long-term care services 

● Pharmacy services 

● School-based telehealth 

● Additional specialty programs 

Avel embeds board‑certified physicians, experienced nurses, and dedicated clinical  teams directly into partner operations—extending local capacity while preserving  community‑based care. 

Aligning Virtual Care with CMS’s RHT Priorities 

Avel’s integrated virtual health model directly supports each of CMS’s Rural Health  Transformation goals: 

• Bring More Care Within Reach 

Virtual emergency, specialty, behavioral, and inpatient services extend access to  high-quality care without requiring patients to travel long distances. 

• Strengthen and Sustain the Rural Clinical Workforce 

By providing 24/7 specialist and physician support, Avel helps rural hospitals  recruit and retain clinicians while reducing burnout and call burden. 

• Modernize Rural Health Infrastructure and Technology 

Avel embeds secure, scalable virtual care infrastructure directly into hospital,  EMS, and long-term care workflows. 

• Drive Structural Efficiency & Empower Community Providers Virtual coverage reduces avoidable transfers, supports appropriate admissions, and preserves local care delivery whenever possible. 

• Advance Innovative Care Models and Payment Reform 

Avel’s model enables states and hospitals to operationalize value-based,  team-based care models aligned with evolving reimbursement structures. 

Supporting State Implementation 

The Rural Health Transformation program encourages states to protect essential  services while improving quality, coordination, and fiscal sustainability. 

Virtual care systems can be incorporated into these state strategies as: 

● A mechanism to stabilize critical access hospitals 

● A workforce support solution 

● A cost-control strategy 

● A quality improvement lever 

● A public safety enhancement tool through EMS and crisis integration 

“A sustainable rural health strategy requires both policy modernization and delivery  innovation,” said Chief Medical Officer, Kelly Rhone, MD. “Virtual health is no longer  supplemental. It is foundational infrastructure that allows states to maintain access to  emergency, critical, and behavioral health services while adapting to new funding  realities.” 

A National Opportunity 

Rural hospitals serve as economic anchors and critical access points for millions of  Americans. As states review and implement Rural Health Transformation strategies,  virtual health integration presents a practical and proven pathway to sustaining access  without sacrificing quality. 

Healthcare access should not be defined by geography. 

As a Virtual Health System with more than three decades of innovation, Avel eCare  stands ready to support states implementing Rural Health Transformation strategies that  modernize care delivery while protecting rural communities.