Over the years, the healthcare industry has moved from paper-based records to electronic records. While there have been significant investments in electronic health record (EHR) systems, the lack of interoperability between EHRs limits accuracy and efficiency when exchanging patient data across the continuum of care. In the current transition from fee-for-service models of reimbursement to value-based care, access to comprehensive patient information is increasingly important. In its quest for optimal patient outcomes, the healthcare industry is trying to improve the quality and availability of data and are using analytics as a catalyst to improve performance.
eHealth Initiative (eHI) interviewed nine executives from provider organizations and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) to gain insight on the current state of interoperability, population health, and their future potential. In November and December 2017, executives answered questions on the types of data they collected, how it is shared and analyzed, and the successes and challenges in using data analytics for population health management.

The healthcare industry is moving the needle forward on interoperability and population health management. Our webinar, Pulse on the Industry: Interoperability and Population Health Management, examines the results of eHealth Initiative’s interview-based research project on the topic.

The webinar features executives interviewed for the project. Join us as the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN) and Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO) delve into the biggest trends in interoperability and population health management:

• Challenges in the exchange of Continuity of Care Documents 
• Issues resulting from poor data quality
• Data being collected to support population health management and value-based care
• The role HIEs play in population health management

Speakers:
Morgan Honea, Chief Executive Officer, CORHIO 
Robert Denson, Chief Information Officer, CORHIO
Laura McCrary, Executive Director, KHIN
Heather Hallett, Vice President, Medicity

Presentation slides and recording from 10/31/17 webinar.

This webinar addressed the use of behavioral health and substance abuse data to facilitate more connected and personalized care for at-risk populations.  Due to strict federal guidelines, behavioral health and substance abuse data have historically been excluded from health data exchanges. However, collecting and sharing this data are necessary components of population health management. With the emergence of the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) legislation and the current state of America's opioid problem, rules for sharing this critical data are relaxing and best practices around consent are emerging.

Presenters discussed:

• Strategies to incorporate behavioral health and substance abuse data
• Federal funding opportunities available for qualified organizations
• Next-generation technologies designed to support the data required for 'whole-person care'

Links discussed during webinar:

42 CFR Part 2 Fanal Rule Brief

44 States and Territories with HIE IAPDs Approved or in the First Time Review Process

Funded by the California Healthcare Foundation, this brief examines how eHealth tools can improve the management of diabetes among socially disadvantaged populations. Further findings are discussed in the final report.

Funded by the California Healthcare Foundation, this brief examines how eHealth tools can improve the management of heart disease among socially disadvantaged populations. Further findings are discussed in the final report.

This eHealth Initiative white paper explores how health IT and data analytics are lynchpins to population health management that can improve the quality, coordination, and efficiency of care while reducing cost and waste at both the individual patient and population levels.

This eHealth Initiative paper provides a brief background on insurance exchanges, and explores how big data can be leveraged to support new populations, adapt to new market dynamics, improve quality and comply with new regulations.

Health information exchange (HIE) is a fundamental element of population health management, enabling providers to generate richer datasets, analyze gaps in care and drive clinical improvements for achieving healthier populations. The consensus among industry experts is both basic and advanced HIEs offer significant potential, yet there is limited scientific literature evaluating these specific capabilities, making it difficult to assess the overall effectiveness of HIE organizations. Please join eHealth Initiative and Orion Health on a webinar to learn more about the current state of the HIE landscape and how emerging innovations in health information exchange are beginning to contribute to better population health management. Speakers include: