The Funding Will Support More Than 400 Practices to Better Care for Health Plan Members
LOS ANGELES – L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, announced today a $2.8 million commitment over three years to help healthcare practices adopt and use Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). The HIEs allow healthcare providers to access and securely share a patient’s medical information electronically, which improves the timeliness and quality of care. Health information exchanges (HIEs) are critical for providing better care for individuals and reducing healthcare costs.
The California Health and Human Services Agency launched the state’s first-ever Data Exchange Framework in 2022 to enhance California’s Interoperability landscape and improve data sharing among health plans, providers, and other key stakeholders involved in member care. Most large providers and plans are required to exchange data beginning January 2024, but some providers have been given until 2026 to start implementing and exchanging member data.
“L.A. Care plans to support 426 practices – both solo practitioners and clinics – in this one-time incentive program,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “The incentive funding is intended to support implementation fees and any annual subscription costs the practices might have when they sign on to one of the exchanges.”
L.A. Care is already working with 43 practices and dozens of applications for the program are under consideration. Helping practices with the adoption and meaningful use of health information exchanges aligns with L.A. Care’s commitment to advancing health equity, which means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Depending on their size, clinics can earn up to $28,500. Western Medical Clinic is among those benefitting from this program.
"As a primary care clinic, we are the first point of contact for patients looking to access the healthcare system for the diagnosis and treatment of their medical conditions, and our goal is to provide our patients with timely and relevant care,” said Kevin C. Thomas, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Florence Western Medical Clinic. “Participation in the data exchange leads to improved access to care, faster referrals to specialty care, changes in medication, implementation of other treatment plans, and opportunities for increased patient education.”
And depending on the size, group practices can earn up to $30,000. Fairway Children’s Medical Group it grateful for L.A. Care’s support.
“By having the funding and the opportunity to integrate with an HIE, we will be able to elevate the care we provide our young patients,” said Jackyln Chan, MD, from Fairway Children’s Medical Group. “Connecting with an HIE will ensure continuity of care across multiple facilities, wherever our patients end up.”
Solo practitioners can earn up to $5,000.
To qualify for the incentive funding, the practices will have to fulfill three key milestones:
• Sign the CalHHS Data Sharing Agreement
• Finalize a participation agreement with one of the two eligible HIEs
• Facilitate the exchange of Admit, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) and Continuity of Care Document (CCDR) data with one of the chosen HIEs
The milestones are strategically designed to comply with state regulations under the Data Exchange Framework, and various programmatic and managed care contract requirements.