AI Readiness Cohort 3: Launching in May |
Register your organization now!
Join Dr. Tyler Wallace in a 12-week AI intensive, with weekly coaching calls to help equip you, your identified staff, your leaders and your IT team in the responsible approach to AI integration and utilization at your facility. Expand your knowledge and comfort around AI tools that can be easily integrated into your workflows as well as responsible considerations for governance, vendor vetting and more.
Program Start: May 20, 2026 | Program Cost: $7,000 per organization
Program Duration: 12 weeks, with weekly 1-hour virtual meeting commitment Read more here: https://hometownhealthonline.com/ruralhealthai/
Questions about this Cohort? Contact Meghan Williams at meghan.williams@hometownhealthonline.com or Kristy Thomson at kristy.thomson@hometownhealthonline.com. |
Rural Transformation Resources |
Rural Transformation Resources Georgia & Florida have confirmed their funding amounts and guidance is still forthcoming about next steps within the respective states. Georgia was awarded $218.8 million for the first year of the five-year program, and Florida was awarded just over $209 million. Read the releases from the state governments here: Florida | Georgia Florida
The Agency for Health Care Administration is leading the Florida Rural Hospital Transformation Program (RHTP) efforts with program guidance, funding opportunities, and implementation updates. Updates from the past month include: Informational Links:
If you have questions, please reach out to RHTP@ahca.myflorida.com Georgia DCH is continuing to expand the dedicated webpage for the GREAT Health Program (Georgia's Rural Health Transformation Program). All updates will be posted here https://greathealth.georgia.gov.
The original DCH webpage is still active and can be accessed here: https://dch.georgia.gov/georgias-application-rht-program. Updates from the past month include: -
A webinar was held on Friday, May 1, 2026 for Hospitals who submitted a letter of Intent to participate in the pre-implementation activities under the AHEAD Model. If you were unable to attend this webinar and have not received the post webinar communication, please contact us.
- Coming Soon: Introductory Letter from DCH and partners as well as further guidance on Pre-Implementation Funding.
- Shortly after: Technical Assessment for AHEAD
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May 15: Applications open for Pre-Implementation Funding (LOI hospitals only) and Telepods (LOI hospitals prioritized) . Monitor the Georgia Great Health webpage for funding updates. https://greathealth.georgia.gov/find-funding-opportunities
- June 15: Applications close for Pre-Implementation Funding and Telepods.
- June 15: Applications open for Telehealth Enhancements (LOI hospitals prioritized) and Workforce Retention Technology (LOI hospitals prioritized). Monitor the Georgia Great Health webpage for funding updates. https://greathealth.georgia.gov/find-funding-opportunities
Informational links:
If you have any questions while reviewing these documents, please contact greathealth@dch.ga.gov.
HomeTown Health is committed to keeping you informed and empowered as Georgia embarks on the most significant rural health transformation in decades. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates, resources and support to help your hospital maximize the benefits of these programs, as we also continue to partner with the Department of Community Health and others for guidance on next steps for participation in this program. Feel free to reach out to Kristy Thomson, COO with any questions.
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Georgia Medicaid System Update:
GAMMIS to Georgia CareConnect |
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is launching a multi‑year Medicaid Enterprise System Transformation (MEST) to transition from the current GAMMIS platform to Georgia CareConnect, a modern, modular system designed to improve access, efficiency, and long‑term sustainability. Georgia CareConnect will eventually replace GAMMIS as the primary system used by providers, state users, and stakeholders to access Medicaid provider services, claims processing, and related functions.
This transition will occur over time, with no immediate changes for providers. DCH emphasized that all timelines, training opportunities, and system updates will be communicated well in advance. The new platform will support incremental upgrades, improved user experience, enhanced flexibility for policy changes, and expanded training and support resources as modules are implemented. |
HTHU: Summer Recertification Webinars |
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Revenue Cycle Professionals - make plans to attend the upcoming recertification webinars for 2026! Each webinar offers 90 minutes of industry updates, best practices, compliance reminders and education around key subject areas. Recertifications are designed to be taken annually for those who have previously completed the CHHS, PAC, PAS, Billing Certification, Billing Specialist and FCC! -
May 19 | 12:30 EST : Healthcare Hospitality Recertification
- June 11 | 12:30 EST : Patient Access Recertification
- July 16 | 12:30 EST : Billing Specialist Recertification
- August 13 | 12:30 pm EST : Financial Counselor Recertification
HTHU Subscribers - Log in and find these webinars in the School of Revenue Cycle Management catalog to enroll today! Not a subscriber? Recordings will be posted for sale after the live sessions and visible for purchase in the School of Revenue Cycle Management approximately one week after the live session concludes. |
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Upcoming Webinars & Events Monthly GA Provider Reimbursement Webinar
May 6 | 10 AM EST Monthly Medicare Update May 13 | 10 AM EST Quarterly RHC Webinar May 13 | 1:30 PM EST Free Webinar: Driving "Cash-Generating" Outcomes through Data & Workflow Optimization
May 15 | 10 am EST Quarterly CFO Webinar May 28 | 10 AM EST Login at https://lms.hthu.net to register, enroll, attend live webinar sessions or view recordings of all webinar events! |
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Driving "Cash-Driven" Outcomes through Data & Workflow Optimization
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Join us along with presenters from the team from Sellers Dorsey and Roane General Hospital who will outline common data and workflow challenges faced by rural hospitals, then will provide a formula for success in value based care and pay for performance models.
Intended Audience: CEOs, CFOs, COOs, IT, Quality teams, CNO, Business office, Controllers Learning Outcomes: -
Identify common data and workflow challenges in rural hospitals that lead to missed care opportunities and unrealized incentive revenue.
- Explain how real-time data transparency embedded into daily workflows supports proactive care delivery and operational efficiency.
- Recognize high-impact clinical and access metrics most strongly tied to payer incentives, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and continuity of care.
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Recall how leveraging data and workflow optimization prepares organizations for value-based care models, including AHEAD and other advanced payment arrangements.
- Connect data-driven workflows to measurable financial outcomes, including increased incentive capture, improved visit volume, and reduced administrative burden.
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July 14
Florida Virtual Education & Training
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| MCG works to strengthen Rural Partnerships, seeks rural healthcare engagement for students
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To fulfill the Medical College of Georgia’s (MCG) mission to meet the healthcare needs of Georgia’s rural and underserved communities, MCG seeks to partner with healthcare systems that serve these populations, including Rural Hospitals and Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Community Health Centers (CHCs) across the state.
This educational affiliation model is designed to create statewide clinical teaching experiences across multiple disciplines and to enhance medical students’ exposure to interprofessional, high-quality clinical care in these settings. MCG relies on the insight and collaboration of our partners to effectively integrate medical students into these environments.
MCG currently maintains formal educational affiliation agreements with 21 FQHCs, 3 CHCs, and at least 8 Rural Hospitals—each with varying levels of teaching readiness—across Georgia. MCG seeks continued growth in these opportunities for student rotations.
If you are interested in partnering with MCG in this effort, please contact our program manager. We would welcome the opportunity to meet, explore your interest in hosting clinical rotations, and gather your input on how we can best prepare our students to serve rural and underserved communities throughout Georgia. Ashley Saucier MD
Director, MCG FQHC/CHC/Rural Hospital Educational Affiliation Assistant Dean for Evaluation, Accreditation, and CQI Joseph Hobbs, MD Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Programs
Kathryn Martin, PhD Associate Dean for Regional Campus Coordination Charlotte Howard Program Manager Choward5@augusta.edu
706-721-3886 (phone) |
October 21 - 23
Fall Conference at Callaway
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Questions? Need Assistance? Contact us at hthtech@hometownhealthonline.com
Reach us by phone at 470.655.6950 |
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