The Health Care Authority (HCA) is building a new data depository, the Link4Health Clinical Data Repository (CDR) to allow providers to access certain Medicaid patient clinical records from other providers and facilities. Participation is mandatory for hospitals and other Medicaid providers that have a certified EHR.
While the first implementation date has passed, HCA continues to allow time based extensions with the understanding that some vendors have not enabled participation. The HCA contractor, OneHealthPort, is working with vendors to move each to a state of readiness to share information with the CDR. As part of efforts to remove barriers to CDR participation, OneHealthPort is offering a $600 one-time discount for providers who are required to participate in the first stage of the CDR rollout and who meet specific criteria.
When fully implemented, the CDR will allow providers to access certain Medicaid patient clinical records from other providers and facilities. The CDR, which will also include claims and demographic data, could be a tool for hospitals and providers in population health management as noted by OneHealthPort in a recent Q&A. More information on the CDR is available from HCA and OneHealthPort.
WSHA appreciates the ongoing work to assist providers and EHR vendors to submit data to the CDR. As the database becomes more robust, the CDR offers the potential to be both a useful clinical tool and an important data source for providers and facilities to monitor and assess population health metrics. (Zosia Stanley, zosias@wsha.org).
