Jan 1, 2008
Healthcare Finance News
"Rochester RHIO's Success Depends on Local Payers"
By Patty Enrado
ROCHESTER, NY – The Greater Rochester Regional Health
Information Organization (RHIO) began its four-office pilot in early December, enabling
physicians to exchange health information.
A community-wide collaboration formed almost three years ago and stakeholder belief
in the long-term value of RHIOs and health information exchanges (HIEs) were critical to
the RHIO’s formation.
“Rochester has a history of collaboration,” said executive director
Ted Kremer. “Everyone came to the table at the same time to explore opportunities
where we could improve quality and streamline processes.”
The board and subcommittees comprise the Rochester Business Alliance, providers and local
employers and payers, namely Preferred Care and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Thomas Combs, CFO of Preferred Care, said supporting the RHIO
reaffirms the health plan’s commitment to the community, affords the potential
for quality improvements for its members and cost savings that can be passed on to its
customers and strengthens provider relationships.
As part of the early stakeholder group, Preferred Care provided seed funding and human and
IT resources to allow data interfacing.
“Preferred Care does expect a positive ROI and real cost savings, while being
realistic about the inherent difficulties associated with assigning ‘cause and
effect’ directly to the RHIO when the nature of the delivery of care has so many
moving and interrelated pieces,” said Combs.
As the pilot proceeds, Combs expects it to expand and Preferred Care to continue
its support of the RHIO’s efforts.
Excellus contributed $500,000 in seed money. Company CEO David Klein believes in one day being able to enhance care
management with lab and radiology results, said
Martin Hickey, MD, senior vice president of healthcare affairs.
Being a part of a RHIO is becoming increasingly important to payers, Hickey said.
The value of health information exchange enhances care management.
Kremer agreed, noting that payers benefit from improved population health.
“The RHIO is working on building an approach to support disease management programs to
promote the organization’s value to both providers and payers,” he said.
While payers have been slow to come to the RHIO table, Hickey believes payer involvement
reaps great benefits. |
