KEYWORDS:
HEDIS, Partnerships, Funding, Health Plans
BACKGROUND:
The Utah Statewide Immunization Information System (USIIS) has always targeted partnerships with the local Health Plans. But to develop a true partnership there had to be a commitment from both the registry and the health plans. Once a commitment was obtained, the plans for partnership were laid down. USIIS would provide services to the Health Plans, specifically helping with HEDIS reporting, and the Health Plans would share their data and provide some funding.
OBJECTIVE(S):
To develop a strategic plan to partner with Health Plans for marketing, financial, and technical support.
METHOD(S):
IHC was selected to be the first partnership because of its ongoing interest and engagement with USIIS. Additionally, as the largest health plan in Utah, IHC controls 60% of private health data in the state of Utah. If we could show a successful partnership with IHC, then other Health Plans and Clinical groups would feel more comfort with USIIS as a clinical tool for immunizations.
RESULT(S):
IHC and USIIS put together an agreement that would solidify the partnership. Here we agreed that WebKIDS would be the immunization module for IHC. We also agreed to have an HL7 Gateway to pass patient demographic information (ADT messages) and immunization information (V series messages). This exchange of data began in July 2001. Through this partnership we now have approximately 78% of all children under 6 in Utah in USIIS with two or more vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS(S):
1. Creating viable partnerships in critical for the long-term success of Immunization Information Systems.
2. Health Plans are a vital resource for Immunization Information Systems.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To find partnering organizations and collaborate with them for the benefit of your Immunization Information System.
Back to Grow: Partnerships and Collaborations — Part I
Back to Contributed Papers
Back to The 2002 Immunization Registry Conference of CDC