Substance Use & Recovery · Measurement & Outcomes · 5 min read
What outcomes should substance use and recovery programs measure for RHTP funding?
RHTP rewards measurable improvement, so substance use and recovery programs should track treatment initiation and engagement rates, retention in care at 30, 90, and 180 days, overdose ED visits and recurrence, and naloxone distribution and use. Building these metrics in from the start is what separates a fundable, renewable program from a one-time pilot.
Why measurement is non-negotiable
CMS built measurability into the allowable uses, so states pass that expectation to sub-recipients. For substance use and recovery programs, a credible measurement plan is part of the eligibility story, not an afterthought.
Metrics that matter
The most defensible metrics for substance use and recovery programs include:
- treatment initiation and engagement rates
- retention in care at 30, 90, and 180 days
- overdose ED visits and recurrence
- naloxone distribution and use
Turning metrics into renewals
With $10 billion flowing each year through FY2030, programs that report clean outcome data are best positioned for continued state support. Programs that cannot show retention and engagement data struggle to compete; build measurement in from day one.
Frequently asked questions
- Does RHTP require substance use and recovery programs to report outcomes?
- States are accountable to CMS for outcomes and pass reporting expectations to their sub-recipients, so yes, in practice.
- How soon should measurement start?
- From day one. Retrofitting measurement after launch weakens both the funding case and the results.
Figures reflect the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program NOFO and the December 2025 award announcement. RHTP Tracker is an independent resource by Moodr Health and is not affiliated with CMS.