This Week in CHCACTion
August 28, 2017
This Week in CHCACTivities
I’m pleased to report that CHCACT's eConsult pilot program is progressing very nicely. In this project, primary care physicians send information about a patient, through a secure portal, to a specialist; the specialist then examines test results, patient demographic and clinical data, etc and recommends either a specific treatment (e.g., daily aspirin and follow-up) or an in-person visit with a specialist. The goal is to improve access to specialty care, while controlling costs in the health care system. These eConsults are also more convenient for patients, whose symptoms may not actually require them to have another medical visit!
CHCACT is partnering with AristaMD for eConsults; AristaMD provides the technical platform, as well as the network of specialists. Earlier this month, two of the five health centers participating in the pilot went live on the AristaMD platform. The remaining three health centers are all scheduled to come on line by August 31st.
The engagement between our health centers and our technology partner has been excellent, with all parties very pleased with the management of the project. We have also engaged our evaluation partner and started the process of analyzing data. This is an important aspect of the project – the data are key to demonstrating both the clinical and cost avoidance benefits of eConsults. Lastly, work continues with stakeholders at the state to address the need for a reimbursement model that makes sense for everyone. Stay tuned for more in the weeks ahead.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
- Rob Rioux
Network Director
This Week in Social Media
This Week in Funding Opportunities
This Week in Health Policy News
Here is a sampling of health policy news from around the state. If you see something in your local newspaper that you would like featured here in future weeks, please contact Deb Polun at dpolun@chcact.org. Check out all the Health Policy News from the past month here!
8.22.17 Hartford Courant — United Bank Foundation Donates $10,000 to First Choice Health Centers in Rockville
8.22.17 New Haven Independent — Fair Haven Showers the Babies
8.23.17 Hartford Business Journal — DPH – Fewer Residents Report Poor Health
8.22.17 CT Health I-Team — State Leads Nation in Providing Dental Care to Low-Income Children
8.23.17 CT Mirror — State Asks Anthem, ConnectiCare to File New Rates
8.24.17 NY Times — Should Kids Be Sedated for Dental Work?