Department of Health launches rural health initiative to modernize patient scheduling

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Health announced a major step forward in the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, releasing a Request for Proposal to build a new statewide patient scheduling platform. The platform is a central component of the program’s Connected Care Grid initiative, designed to modernize how West Virginians find and book medical appointments.

“Finding a doctor with an open appointment shouldn’t be a barrier to getting quality healthcare in West Virginia,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh. “We are launching this effort to provide patients with clear, real-time scheduling options, helping to reduce wait times and connect them directly to care. It’s a key investment in building a healthier, stronger state.”

The goal of this new platform is to give patients the option of a single place to see real-time provider availability, whether for in-person, telehealth or in-home services, and book appointments through a smooth, simple process. To achieve this, the state is seeking a platform designed for interoperability, with the ability to integrate with the Electronic Health Record and scheduling systems that clinics and hospitals already use.

Through this RFP, the state is calling for proposals that include a user-friendly, public-facing interface with Artificial Intelligence-empowered navigation. This smart tool is intended to help guide people to the most suitable care options based on their location and needs, simplifying their search and breaking down long-standing barriers to access.

“We are looking to build the digital infrastructure for a modern rural health system,” Singh said. “We are excited to partner with a vendor that can deliver a unified scheduling network, making it easier for patients to get appointments and giving our providers tools to work more efficiently. This is a critical step toward a more resilient and accessible healthcare system for our state.”

Eligible applicants may access all active solicitations through the state’s procurement and grants management system at wvOASIS.gov. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the full materials for detailed eligibility requirements, submission instructions and key deadlines. Additional information will be shared through an upcoming RFP release webinar.