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Multi-State Collaborative
The Multi-State Collaborative was created by NASMD and states that received Medicaid Transformation Grants to advance the successful development, implementation, and deployment of electronic health records and health information exchange technology to support the Medicaid system transformation and value-driven health care initiatives. To maximize the federal and state investment in EHR/HIE, a group of states agreed to collaborate on EHR/HIE planning, development and implementation, share best practices and lessons learned and where possible enter into joint ventures and partnerships that maximize the financial and program leverage of the state Medicaid programs in implementing their EHR/HIE initiatives. With the passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Collaborative has refocused its efforts related to the deployment and adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems and exchange of health information. Moreover, the Collaborative is planning educational forums, state-to-state mentoring, continuous learning workgroups, and workgroup discussions of key issues areas in HIT planning, implementation, adoption, and meaningful use of EHRs in Medicaid. We encourage all states to join the Multi-State Collaborative. The Collaborative will continue to address a wide variety of topics, such as maximizing ARRA funding, preparing for HIT incentive payments, implementing the meaningful use of EHRs, developing strategic plans for the implementation of HIT, the implication of incentive programs, and how to affect policies developed by CMSO and the Office of the National Coordinator.
Collaborative workgroup calls and web meetings will provide opportunities for states to learn from each other and industry experts; discuss the impact of health information standards, policies and guidelines; share lessons learned; collaborate on technical assistance opportunities; comment on draft guidance and regulations from CMS, the ONC and other federal agencies; and review and comment on Medicaid specific e-health standards and requirements.
The Collaborative also will provide a forum to consider potential transition issues or concerns arising from the conversion of HIT activities developed through the Medicaid Transformation grants to the requirements of the HITECH Act. The Collaborative will also be able to assist in dealing with issues associated with the phase out of the Transformation Grants.