North Dakota Rural Hospital Network Improved Care
A state-funded collaborative of 23 independent hospitals has boosted preventive screenings and reduced costly readmissions.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Healthcare
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Formed in 2023 with state support, the Rough Rider High Value Network improved healthcare outcomes across North Dakota. The collaborative of 23 rural hospitals has successfully increased cancer screening rates and lowered emergency room visits.
Why it matters
The network serves 65% of North Dakota's rural population, providing a strategy to maintain local hospital governance while preventing the formation of healthcare deserts. By coordinating care, these facilities have reduced spending and stabilized rural medical access.
The network saved $1.13 million in nine months, while St. Kateri in Rolla slashed readmission rates from 16.5% to 5%. Across the system, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings increased by 10% to 12%.
The players
Rough Rider High Value Network
This is a collaborative of 23 independent rural and critical access hospitals in North Dakota that coordinates patient care to maintain local services.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
This federal agency administers the nation's healthcare programs and has recognized the network as a potential model for other states.
North Dakota Legislature
This state governing body authorized $3.5 million in funding during 2023 to support the formation and operation of the hospital network.
St. Kateri
This hospital located in Rolla is a member of the network that achieved significant reductions in patient readmission rates.
The details
Member hospitals aggregate patient data and use shared staff and care navigators to manage population health. Staff from the 23 independent facilities meet monthly to troubleshoot clinical integration and share best practices to improve outcomes.
Timeline
Development of the network concept began in 2020.
The Rough Rider High Value Network officially formed in 2023.
The North Dakota Legislature appropriated $3.5 million for the initiative in 2023.
Emergency room visits were reduced by 536 over the past 9 months.
Market Landscape
The project follows a pattern set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' hospital quality initiative by prioritizing outcomes over volume. This collaborative model shifts the market by allowing independent rural facilities to compete with larger health systems.
Patients in rural North Dakota can expect more consistent access to preventive care and better follow-up support after hospital stays. These improvements are designed to keep local facilities open, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for care.
The takeaway
The success of this network demonstrates that rural healthcare providers can significantly improve patient outcomes through data sharing and collective coordination. This model offers a sustainable path forward for small, independent hospitals facing financial and operational pressures.
Further reading
For additional context, explore the latest developments in Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ND News Cooperative.
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