Assessment and implementation of electronic medical records connected to health information exchanges to build statewide availability to outside providers to enhance continuity of care in Kansas. - Organization Name: State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance (KDHE-DHCF) Subrecipients: Allied Global and Accenture (contractors) Project goals: Goal 1: Complete assessment of current status and identify gaps and needs at the 116 non-federal public institutions in the state comprised of nine juvenile detention centers, one Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex (KJCC) which is the state youth prison, two tribal jails, 95 county jails, and nine adult Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) facilities. Goal 2: Review, analyze, and identify CMS-certified electronic medical record (EMR) platforms to present to the facilities to select for usage based on their respective needs, and connect/onboard the EMR with a state-certified health information exchange (HIE) from the list of four approved, certified organizations. Goal 3: Select and pilot the EMR usage and connection to an HIE at three facilities—one from each segment (juvenile detention center, county jail, and KDOC adult prison). Goal 4: Finalize plan for expansion of pilot program to implementation in Years 2, 3, and 4. Purpose and Outcomes: The proposed project includes a planning year in Year 1, followed by expansion and continued implementation in Years 2, 3, and 4. The project establishes an assessment process for all 116 facilities for their current status of EMR use; to gather information to better understand how their current system works and how medical care is currently being offered, including Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) and Targeted Case Management (TCM); and how health data is being exchanged with outside providers upon re-entry. The project will also provide technical assistance, education, and training on selecting and implementing a CMS-certified EMR that is connected to a state-certified HIE and developing and delivering education and training to the different stakeholders. The project will also build a network of providers who agree to treat inmates post-release (and/or treat inmates while still incarcerated) and who accept Medicaid or CHIP to promote continuity of care. A contracted business analyst from Allied Global will be engaged to help implement the project and help develop training materials. This project will ensure individuals are appropriately reviewed for Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, are assessed with EPSDT, receive TCM for 30 days pre-release, and receive a warm hand-off to a managed care organization (MCO) for ongoing case management and care coordination to ensure continuity of care with physical health, mental health, prescription medications, and substance use disorder treatment. These efforts can result in a reduction in recidivism and even lead to improved opportunities for quality of life such as workforce attainment. A pilot will be launched in Year 1 with pilot sites from each segment of the carceral facilities (i.e., one juvenile detention center, one county jail, and one KDOC adult prison) to test the proposed process and then work to expand it to additional facilities in Years 2-4. Existing full-time eligibility professional staff will process daily jail files and determine eligibility for KanCare (Medicaid and CHIP). They will work with the TCM case managers to help inmates apply for/reinstate Medicaid or CHIP coverage upon release so there is no gap in coverage and any medical or prescription needs can be continued immediately upon release to promote continuity of care. Total budget amount: $5,000,000 Use of funds: Funds will be used for staffing (project director, authorized organization representative [AOR], and HIE project manager); a contracted HIE business analyst (Allied Global); bi-directional portal development and implementation (Accenture); purchasing CMS-certified EMR(s); and costs for connecting/onboarding carceral facilities to a state-certified HIE that becomes globally available to providers throughout Kansas.
