As part of West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the state is envisioning  a “Data Spine” initiative to serve as a digital network that integrates data from a wide range of sources, including EHRs, claims, emergency medical services, public health systems, and community-based organizations. The state also wants to build a new statewide patient scheduling platform 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.

For the Data Spine project, West Virginia is seeking seeks a vendor partner to deliver a platform that supports interoperability, real-time data exchange, and advanced analytics. It wants a system that will provide actionable insights through dashboards, reporting tools, and predictive capabilities that help providers and policymakers identify at-risk populations, monitor outcomes, and improve care delivery. In its RFP the state says vendors are encouraged to demonstrate capabilities in advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to support predictive insights and performance monitoring.

“Data plays a vital role in how we understand health needs and improve care across our state,” said Secretary of Health Arvin Singh, Ed.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., M.S., in a statement. “The Data Spine initiative is an important step toward bringing information together in a more connected and meaningful way — helping providers, communities, and the state work from a shared picture to better support the health of West Virginians.”

State health leaders believe that by streamlining patient management for complex cases, the Data Spine will improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary utilization. The platform will also support broader RHTP goals by enhancing data-driven decision-making, strengthening accountability, and enabling the measurement of program impact at the state and local levels.

For the patient scheduling initiative, the state is seeking a platform designed for interoperability, with the ability to integrate with the EHR and scheduling systems that clinics and hospitals already use. West Virginia is seeking proposals that include a user-friendly, public-facing interface with AI-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,” said Secretary Singh in a statement. “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.”

The West Virginia Department of Health also has released a request for information about the future of outpatient remote patient monitoring and technology-enabled care across the Mountain State. The RFI seeks information on strategies to proactively manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other chronic illnesses outside of traditional healthcare settings. The department is particularly interested in solutions that can address barriers commonly faced in rural communities, including limited broadband access, transportation challenges, and provider shortages.