Montana Emergency Medical Services Receive $3.63 Million for In-Home Care
To enhance availability of non-emergency medical care, Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton and Governor Greg Gianforte revealed a funding allocation of $3.63 million investment across 17 rural Montana emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. The funding aims to bring care directly into Montanans’ homes to help patients manage chronic conditions and connect with critical health services in rural and frontier communities.
Rural Health Transformation Fund Backs Community Integrated Health
“Through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Oz are directly addressing the health needs of rural Montana,” Governor Gianforte stated. The funding supports community integrated health (CIH) services designed to overcome barriers such as lack of transportation and limited patient mobility. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz noted that the program targets the principle that healthcare access should not depend on a patient’s ZIP code.
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The financial backing allows emergency medical professionals holding a CIH endorsement to execute patient care plans under the oversight of medical directors. These endorsed workers extend the operational reach of a patient’s primary care team by delivering in-home clinical services. Eligible use cases include post-discharge follow-ups, fall risk assessments, wound care, laboratory blood draws, point-of-care testing, and resource navigation, alongside chronic disease management for conditions like asthma and diabetes.
“This pilot is a critical link between underserved Montanans and health care services,” Director Brereton said, emphasizing that front-line providers, including volunteers, can meet patients where they are.
Seventeen Agencies Selected for Fiscal Year 2026 Pilot Grants
The state distributed the grants through the DPHHS Community Integrated Health Pilot Site Grant for fiscal year 2026, tailoring award amounts to each agency’s grant application request and demonstrated need. Eligible uses for these funds include travel expenses for patient transport and CIH visits, new or expanded full-time employment roles, critical CIH supplies and equipment, clinical integration necessities, continuing education, electronic health record integration software, general infrastructure and operational expenses, and educational resources or outreach materials for patients.
| Agency Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Sheridan Memorial | Plentywood |
| City Of Billings | City Of Billings |
| Vitology EMS | Kalispell |
| Madison Valley EMS | Ennis |
| Logan Health | Shelby |
| Prairie County Ambulance | Prairie County Ambulance |
| Bitterroot Health | Hamilton |
| Central Valley Fire | Belgrade |
| City of Livingston | City of Livingston |
| Billings Clinic | Broadwater |
| Wibaux County Health | Wibaux County Health |
| Red Lodge Fire Rescue | Red Lodge Fire Rescue |
| Interstate Medical Transport | Deer Lodge |
| Central Montana Medical Center | Lewistown |
| Jefferson Valley EMS | Whitehall |
| Seeley Lake Fire Rescue | Seeley Lake Fire Rescue |
| Dahl Memorial | Ekalaka |
Federal Financial Assistance and Program Oversight
The broader Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative operates under a total financial assistance award of $233,509,358.76, which is 100% funded by CMS/HHS. Agencies serving rural or frontier areas with an active or past CIH program received priority consideration during the review process.
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