Missouri’s innovative Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot program has selected six rural hospitals to pioneer a new approach to addressing social determinants of health. This initiative offers valuable insights into how health information exchange capabilities can complement community care coordination efforts.
What is ToRCH?
The ToRCH pilot project represents a groundbreaking approach to rural healthcare, focusing on addressing social determinants of health that impact patients’ ability to maintain wellness and manage chronic conditions. Approved through Missouri’s 1915(b) waiver, this Primary Care Case Management model encourages collaboration between hospitals, primary care clinics, behavioral health providers, and community-based organizations.
The six selected hospitals are:
- Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri (Pettis County)
- Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri (Polk County)
- Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare in Clinton, Missouri (Henry County)
- Phelps Health in Rolla, Missouri (Phelps County)
- Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Missouri (Ray County)
- Salem Memorial District Hospital in Salem, Missouri (Dent County)
The Power of Combined Approaches
While ToRCH participants will utilize Unite Us’ Community Information Exchange (CIE) software to coordinate social services and community resources, hospitals with existing health information exchange capabilities are well-positioned to maximize the program’s impact.
The combination of clinical data sharing and social care coordination can:
- Support comprehensive care transitions between clinical and community-based services
- Enable more complete patient assessments that consider both medical and social factors
- Enhance population health monitoring across clinical and community interventions
- Facilitate better care team communication across diverse service providers
A Model for Rural Healthcare Innovation
As Department of Social Services Director Robert Knodell noted, ToRCH is “a groundbreaking initiative that empowers and encourages rural communities to collaborate to address healthcare-related social needs among their Medicaid population, with a focus on driving better health outcomes.”
This approach recognizes that effective rural healthcare requires both robust clinical information sharing and strong community partnerships—elements that Missouri’s health information exchange networks and community organizations are uniquely positioned to support together.
Looking Ahead
As ToRCH aims to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department visits while improving population health outcomes, the program demonstrates the value of integrated approaches to health information sharing and care coordination.
Future ToRCH cohorts may be launched every 2-3 years, offering additional opportunities for Missouri’s healthcare networks to collaborate in supporting rural community health transformation.
Velatura is committed to supporting innovative approaches to population health and care coordination. Learn more about how Velatura can support your organization by contacting our team today.