RHTP and Provider Onboarding: What Should HIEs and HDUs Build Now?

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding offers an opportunity for Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) and Health Data Utilities (HDUs) to build sustainable onboarding programs by connecting rural providers. The tools, training, and processes developed today can support future provider onboarding and a broader base of participating organizations.

This discussion will combine firsthand onboarding experience with perspectives on technical and provider engagement. Speakers will explore what slows connections, what helps providers understand and use available services, and how to build repeatable approaches that remain useful beyond the initial funded work. The discussion will include lessons applicable across different funding circumstances.

Attendees will explore how to:

• Use current onboarding investments to create reusable resources and a program that can support future participants.
• Reduce technical friction through clear requirements, readiness checks, testing, and validation.
• Support provider adoption with relevant messaging, training, and workflow guidance.
• Assess onboarding success beyond go-live, including ongoing use of available services and integration into providers’ daily workflows.