Friday, April 19, 2024
4/19/2024
Project Title: Regional Extension Center for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Service Area: Massachusetts Applicant Name: Massachusetts eHealth Institute Address: 75 North Drive, Westborough, Ma 01581 Contact Name: Mitchell Adams Contact Phone: 617-371-3999 ext. 200 Email address: adams@masstech.org Website: www.maehi.org Project Abstract In 2008 Massachusetts created the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), and the Health Information Technology Council (the Council), to oversee deployment of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems in all provider settings networked through a State-wide health information exchange (HIE). MeHI and the Council???s efforts build upon Massachusetts???s long and successful history of collaboration in using health information technology (HIT) to support health care policy, beginning in the 1970???s with formation of the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium. Various hospitals, health systems and large physician groups in Massachusetts have made considerable progress in deploying EHR systems to office-based providers, placing Massachusetts in a leadership position in HIT. Estimates suggest that in Massachusetts approximately 40% of physicians have EHR systems and 48% of hospitals have Computerized Physician Order Entry systems. As the REC, and given the already extensive dissemination of EHR systems in Massachusetts, MeHI will focus its principal efforts on 2,500 priority providers, as follows: (a) Approximately 1,500 primary care providers in small practices who care for a substantial Medicaid population and who have a significant need for EHR system deployment notwithstanding the progress Massachusetts has otherwise made. For this group, MeHI is working closely with MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) (the Medicaid Director is an ex officio member of the Council) and will work closely with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers to support medical home initiatives at certain of the Commonwealth???s community health centers; (b) Approximately 1,000 primary care providers in small groups who do not yet have access to EHR technology; In addition, the REC will assist other practitioners who may seek its services to facilitate their achieving ???meaningful use.??? Under MeHI???s business model, MeHI will certify and enter into ???incentive performance contracts??? with Implementation Optimization Organizations (IOOs), who in turn will contract with providers to offer a full range of implementation support services with the ???incented goal??? of attaining ???meaningful use.??? The IOOs will be certified as to their technical and financial capability to perform EHR installation services. MeHI has issued an RFI to potential IOOs to obtain information about their experiences and capabilities, preparatory to issuing an RFQ for IOO certification. MTC will then enter into contracts with the certified IOOs. Once implementation is complete, providers will themselves be certified by an independent certification process to attest to their suitability to connect to the HIE and compliance with State law (Chapter 305). To fulfill REC functions successfully, MeHI will form a Program Management Office (PMO) to oversee the services associated with EHR system deployment. Ad Hoc Working Groups, to include industry leaders and appropriate State representatives, will be created to foster public/private collaboration and broaden the range of available expertise for the REC???s efforts, as well as for planning the State-wide HIE. In addition to supporting movement toward ???meaningful use,??? MeHI as the REC will also support State policy in areas such as efforts at payment reform currently under active discussion in Massachusetts.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
