What Now? Rural Health's IT Prerequisites And Prep Work Get Their Time To Shine

Rural hospitals have had challenges for years. New incentives may play a role, but it will take strong leadership and smart moves to reimagine how to support, staff, and operate healthcare in the rural setting for the foreseeable future. Within the IT space, some of the most essential moves include ensuring every claimable dollar is captured, protecting systems from cyber threats, addressing infrastructure deficiencies, and ensuring regulatory reporting is accurate and defensible. 

These are not small tasks—and they’re not ones rural hospitals need to tackle alone. As shared by Dr. Kathy Tussey, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital on the The CereCore Podcast, “Over the last year with our CereCore team being here, we relied on them to help us optimize and identify better ways we can gain information and use that information for some challenges and processes. It’s a huge gift for us to be able to partner with them and see different ways other people are using the technology, and figure out how we can best use that here at Harrison Memorial.” 

That sentiment reflects a growing truth: rural health thrives through collaboration, not isolation. 

Why Now: A Window of Opportunity 

The window to take advantage of 2026 funding and help with accessibility to healthcare in rural markets is closing fast. With only weeks left to submit, rural health organizations must act quickly to be considered by CMS before the end of the year. These grants can support projects that align with strategic goals, including cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, and operational efficiency. 

While transformational projects take time to plan and execute, there are immediate steps organizations can take to strengthen their position—both financially and operationally. Two imperatives stand out: 

Imperative 1: Claim Every Dollar You’re Entitled To 

In today’s financial climate, every charge matters. Many hospitals are missing revenue due to technology gaps, data discrepancies, or inefficient workflows. These same gaps can also hinder regulatory reporting and quality measure compliance. 

Revenue cycle assessments—whether focused on charge capture within the EHR or across the tech stack  like the Revenue Cycle Management Technology Adoption Model (RCMTAM)—can uncover quick wins. For example, one 61-bed hospital automated nursing charges and recovered $2.1M in missed annual billing. The assessment for MEDITECH-based organizations typically reveals $1M+ in recoverable revenue. 

Key areas to focus on include: 

• EHR and revenue cycle optimization: Ensuring systems are configured to support accurate billing and reporting. 
• Regulatory reporting and data flow assessments: Accurate data exchange is essential for compliance and reimbursement. 
• Application rationalization (AppRat): Reducing redundant or underutilized systems can stretch budgets further. Consolidating applications lowers licensing and support costs, simplifies governance, and reduces cyber exposure. 
• Optimization of existing tools: Instead of defaulting to new purchases, organizations can maximize the utility of their current tech stack—often revealing hidden value. 

The logic is simple: fewer applications mean fewer vulnerabilities and more budget flexibility. This approach is gaining traction among CFOs and CEOs who are focused on tightening cyber posture and centralizing governance. 

Financial Impact of Inaction: 

• Higher cost to collect 
• Increased A/R days and aging 
• Missed opportunities for automation and AI enablement 
• Fragmented systems that drive up support costs and reduce visibility 

Imperative 2: Ensure Cybersecurity is a Strategic Priority 

Cybersecurity breaches are devastating—financially and reputationally. Yet many rural hospitals struggle to recruit and retain cybersecurity talent, often assigning security responsibilities to leaders already stretched thin. 

Fractional cybersecurity leadership offers a scalable, cost-effective solution and goes further than a cybersecurity assessment where in-house leaders are left to implement a holistic cybersecurity program. At a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO, these fractional leaders provide value around: 

• Strategic oversight and governance
• Vulnerability assessments and remediation support
• Incident preparedness and recovery planning
• Alignment with regulatory requirements and board-level confidence
• Toolsets and monitoring 

This model is especially valuable in environments where cybersecurity leadership is hard to come by. It bridges the talent gap, boosts resilience, and delivers measurable value—protecting both operations and reputation. A robust cyberattack program, which CereCore can assist with, can even help position your organization to qualify for cybersecurity insurance or for lower cyber insurance premiums.

Application rationalization also plays a role here. A streamlined tech stack reduces the attack surface, making it easier to secure systems and monitor for threats. With increasing scrutiny around AI usage, connected devices, and shadow IT, visibility and governance are more critical than ever. 

Cybersecurity Risks of Inaction: 

• Increased likelihood of breaches and ransomware attacks 
• Regulatory fines and legal penalties 
• Operational downtime and disruption to patient care 
• Loss of patient and provider trust 

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach for Rural Hospitals 

Rural hospitals are not scaled-down versions of urban facilities. Their needs, constraints, and opportunities are different—and so must be the solutions. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. That’s why partnership is at the heart of rural health success. 

Whether it’s through building a strong application for grant funding, fortifying through fractional leadership, or informing decisions with strategic assessments, the goal is the same: help rural health thrive. Experts who understand the nuances of rural operations—like those with clinical backgrounds and deep EHR experience—can guide organizations through change with empathy and precision.

Grants & Other Reasons to Get Started 

Whether you're preparing for grant applications or evaluating your strategic roadmap, these imperatives offer a clear path forward. By claiming every dollar and ensuring cybersecurity, rural healthcare organizations can build resilience, unlock funding, and protect what matters most—patient care. 

Next Steps: 

• Assess your revenue cycle for quick wins and long-term optimization 
• Evaluate your cybersecurity posture and consider fractional leadership 
• Explore grant opportunities that align with your strategic goals 
• Rationalize your application portfolio to reduce spend and complexity 
• Engage partners who understand rural healthcare and can help you move quickly 

Rural health has had its challenges. New grant opportunities, strong leadership and partnerships can be the keys to reimagining how to support, staff, and operate healthcare in a rural setting. 

For More Information 

Rural Healthcare: A CEO’s Take on Advocacy, Tech and More 

Physician CIO Advice: Scaling Health IT in Rural America 

Rolling Out EHRs in the Rural Setting: An Expert Guide 

A Rural Hospital’s EHR and Highly Reliable Organization Journey 

Happy Doctors and Technology: A CMIO and Practicing Physician’s POV