The Collaborative actively participates, discusses, and monitors projects and initiatives that advance our mission and strategic priorities. Click on the category to stay informed on this important work.
The Moving Forward Coalition to Improve Nursing Home Quality Moving Forward focuses on advancing seven goals outlined by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) in an April 2022 report aimed at improving nursing home quality. One of those goals is focused on the use of health IT.
The Health IT Committee is co-chaired by two LTPAC Health IT Collaborative members, Dr. Terrence (Terry) O'Malley and Dr. Gregory Alexander. The committee is comprised of 10 members representing different stakeholders and perspectives.
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative also convenes a subgroup to brainstrom and discuss issues in support of the committee.
March 2023: The Collaborative is helping the Moving Forward Coalition HIT Committee to develop a timeline with markers and milestones to be prepared for value based care in 2030 and beyond.
December 2022: The committee launched subgroups in priority areas including measure development and reporting and long-term visioning.
The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)was established under the 21st Century Cures Act to make recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on matters of health IT policy, standards, specifications, and certification criteria to that advances the electronic access, exchange, and use of health information.
It is important for HITAC to have a voice from the LTPAC sector to ensure recommendations consider the needs of the entire healthcare ecosystem. Fillipe Southerland, Director, Healthcare Solutions with Yardi Systems, Inc. is currently serving a term from 1/2022 – 12/2024.
HITAC Subcommittees:
Interoperability Standards Workgroup: Collaborative member Shelly Spiro, RPh, FASCP, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Health IT Collaborative is a member of the Interoperability Standards Workgroup and the Pharmacy Interoperability Subgroup
Proposed Rule Making Group: Fillipe Southerland is serving on the Proposed Rule Making Group which is focusing on 3 key rules and coordination among federal entities on requirements for interoperability
The Collaborative has set a goal for 2022 and 2023 to improve interoperability across the continuum. Recommending that we should have a concerted effort to be at the HITAC meetings and subcommittees to provide comments publicly and in response to written materials. Priority areas for LTPAC include transitions of care and care plans.
We encourages experts in the LTPAC sector to submit an application to serve on a future HITAC subcommittees of HITAC. ONC is recruiting individuals to participate in future subcommittees of The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee(HITAC). You can submit an application on the ONC site.
Collaborative members monitor and are engaged in tracking cybersecurity and information blocking activities and rules. We have had the opportunity to share information with ONC about the specific and unique questions and challenges for the LTPAC sector. The following links were shared by ONC:
-Health IT Feedback and Inquiry Portal
-Steven Posnack's Blog on Information Blocking and the President's FY2023 Budget
-ONC's Report Information Blocking Portal
-Information Blocking Actors Fact Sheet
-Health Care Provider Definition Fact Sheet
-Understanding Electronic Health Information (EHI) Fact Sheet
2022: The Collaborative has been discussing concerns with policy-makers continued focus on Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) as the foundation for bidirectional interoperable exchange. The use of CEHRT applies to providers eligible for the Meaningful Use Program (eligible hospitals and providers), but is not applicable to settings such as LTPAC. We are concerned that goals for bidirectional exchange will fall short unless the focus is on ways to engage the full healthcare ecosystem not just select providers.
The Collaborative monitors the progress and advancement TEFCA which was established to develop a universal floor for interoperability across the country. The Common Agreement will establish the infrastructure model and governing approach for users in different networks to securely share basic clinical information with each other—all under commonly agreed-to expectations and rules, and regardless of which network they happen to be in. The Trusted Exchange Framework describes a common set of non-binding, foundational principles for trust policies and practices that can help facilitate exchange among HINs.
The Collaborative monitors and receives updates from its members on priority health IT standards initiatives and groups. We are tracking the following activities and encourage broader participation by LTPAC to ensure the needs and priorities of the sector are included in industry standards.
-The PACIO Project advancing post acute care interoperability with FHIR.
-Electronic Prescribing and Medication Management Initiatives include development of the HL7 Medication Reconciliation/Medication Profile and NCPDP's standards on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substance (EPCS).
-The HL7 DaVinci Project, a FHIR Accelerator program to support and integrate value-based care (VBC) data exchange across communities.
-The HL7 Gravity Project, a FHIR Accelerator program to expand core data for interoperable exchange of social determinants of health (SDOH) data elements.
-Multiple Chronic Condition eCare Plan Initiative aims to promote the interoperable collection, use, and sharing of comprehensive, person-centered health and social data across settings.
-NCVHS and CAQH Operating Rules pertaining to Prior Authorization.
January 2022: NCVHS
The Collaborative continues to monitor the use of industry standards by Medicare Advantage Payers to streamline processes and reduce administrative burden on LTPAC providers to respond to prior authorization requests and medical reviews. On January 18-19, 2023, the National Committee of Vital and Health Statistics Standards Subcommittee held a hearing. Materials are available at the site.
The importance of modernizing public health systems to include LTPAC settings and data was highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Collaborative monitors activities in public health including:
-CDC Data Modernization Initiatives and Roadmap of Initiatives
-Public Health Reporting Systems impacting LTPAC settings National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) for Long Term Care Facilities
-COVID-19 updates and learnings CMS COVID-19 Data for Nursing Homes
National Quality Forum: NQF's mission is to be a trusted voice in measuring healthcare improvements. The Collaborative monitors NQFs activities and groups related to LTPAC. Collaborative member, Dr. Greg Alexander, PhD, RN, is a current appointee to the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) Post-Acute Care/Long Term Care Workgroup. This group makes recommendations to a Coordinating Committee on selection and coordination of measures for PAC/LTC providers including hospice, inpatient rehab facilities, LTC hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care.
CMS Quality Reporting Programs:
Survey data on adoption and use of interoperable health IT by LTPAC providers and settings is important to determine progress and identify gaps or challenges that must be addressed. The Collaborative monitors and supports the following surveys and encourages providers to participate in these and other adoption studies.
ONC EHR Adoption and Interoperability Studies
- Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Agencies in 2017 Study
- Skilled Nursing Facility 2016 Study
Collaborative members provide updates on activities of various groups and committees that they serve that are relative to our mission and priorities. To stay informed of important activities and perspectives across the LTPAC sector, we hear highlights from the following groups:
- CIO Consortium
HIMSS Committees:
- LTPAC
- HIMSS Burden Reduction Taskforce
- HIMSS Interoperability
- NARA and Regulatory Body Considerations
Collaborative members monitor and are engaged in tracking cybersecurity and information blocking activities and rules. We have had the opportunity to share information with ONC about the specific and unique questions and challenges for the LTPAC sector. The following links were shared by ONC:
-Health IT Feedback and Inquiry Portal
-Steven Posnack's Blog on Information Blocking and the President's FY2023 Budget
-ONC's Report Information Blocking Portal
-Information Blocking Actors Fact Sheet
-Health Care Provider Definition Fact Sheet
-Understanding Electronic Health Information (EHI) Fact Sheet
2022: The Collaborative has been discussing concerns with policy-makers continued focus on Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) as the foundation for bidirectional interoperable exchange. The use of CEHRT applies to providers eligible for the Meaningful Use Program (eligible hospitals and providers), but is not applicable to settings such as LTPAC. We are concerned that goals for bidirectional exchange will fall short unless the focus is on ways to engage the full healthcare ecosystem not just select providers.
Collaborative members provide updates on activities of various groups and committees that they serve that are relative to our mission and priorities. To stay informed of important activities and perspectives across the LTPAC sector, we hear highlights from the following groups:
- CIO Consortium
HIMSS Committees:
- LTPAC
- HIMSS Burden Reduction Taskforce
- HIMSS Interoperability
- NARA and Regulatory Body Considerations
The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)was established under the 21st Century Cures Act to make recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on matters of health IT policy, standards, specifications, and certification criteria to that advances the electronic access, exchange, and use of health information.
It is important for HITAC to have a voice from the LTPAC sector to ensure recommendations consider the needs of the entire healthcare ecosystem. Fillipe Southerland, Director, Healthcare Solutions with Yardi Systems, Inc. is currently serving a term from 1/2022 – 12/2024.
HITAC Subcommittees:
Interoperability Standards Workgroup: Collaborative member Shelly Spiro, RPh, FASCP, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Health IT Collaborative is a member of the Interoperability Standards Workgroup and the Pharmacy Interoperability Subgroup
Proposed Rule Making Group: Fillipe Southerland is serving on the Proposed Rule Making Group which is focusing on 3 key rules and coordination among federal entities on requirements for interoperability
The Collaborative has set a goal for 2022 and 2023 to improve interoperability across the continuum. Recommending that we should have a concerted effort to be at the HITAC meetings and subcommittees to provide comments publicly and in response to written materials. Priority areas for LTPAC include transitions of care and care plans.
We encourages experts in the LTPAC sector to submit an application to serve on a future HITAC subcommittees of HITAC. ONC is recruiting individuals to participate in future subcommittees of The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee(HITAC). You can submit an application on the ONC site.
The Moving Forward Coalition to Improve Nursing Home Quality Moving Forward focuses on advancing seven goals outlined by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) in an April 2022 report aimed at improving nursing home quality. One of those goals is focused on the use of health IT.
The Health IT Committee is co-chaired by two LTPAC Health IT Collaborative members, Dr. Terrence (Terry) O'Malley and Dr. Gregory Alexander. The committee is comprised of 10 members representing different stakeholders and perspectives.
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative also convenes a subgroup to brainstrom and discuss issues in support of the committee.
March 2023: The Collaborative is helping the Moving Forward Coalition HIT Committee to develop a timeline with markers and milestones to be prepared for value based care in 2030 and beyond.
December 2022: The committee launched subgroups in priority areas including measure development and reporting and long-term visioning.
The importance of modernizing public health systems to include LTPAC settings and data was highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Collaborative monitors activities in public health including:
-CDC Data Modernization Initiatives and Roadmap of Initiatives
-Public Health Reporting Systems impacting LTPAC settings National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) for Long Term Care Facilities
-COVID-19 updates and learnings CMS COVID-19 Data for Nursing Homes
National Quality Forum: NQF's mission is to be a trusted voice in measuring healthcare improvements. The Collaborative monitors NQFs activities and groups related to LTPAC. Collaborative member, Dr. Greg Alexander, PhD, RN, is a current appointee to the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) Post-Acute Care/Long Term Care Workgroup. This group makes recommendations to a Coordinating Committee on selection and coordination of measures for PAC/LTC providers including hospice, inpatient rehab facilities, LTC hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care.
CMS Quality Reporting Programs:
The Collaborative monitors and receives updates from its members on priority health IT standards initiatives and groups. We are tracking the following activities and encourage broader participation by LTPAC to ensure the needs and priorities of the sector are included in industry standards.
-The PACIO Project advancing post acute care interoperability with FHIR.
-Electronic Prescribing and Medication Management Initiatives include development of the HL7 Medication Reconciliation/Medication Profile and NCPDP's standards on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substance (EPCS).
-The HL7 DaVinci Project, a FHIR Accelerator program to support and integrate value-based care (VBC) data exchange across communities.
-The HL7 Gravity Project, a FHIR Accelerator program to expand core data for interoperable exchange of social determinants of health (SDOH) data elements.
-Multiple Chronic Condition eCare Plan Initiative aims to promote the interoperable collection, use, and sharing of comprehensive, person-centered health and social data across settings.
-NCVHS and CAQH Operating Rules pertaining to Prior Authorization.
January 2022: NCVHS
The Collaborative continues to monitor the use of industry standards by Medicare Advantage Payers to streamline processes and reduce administrative burden on LTPAC providers to respond to prior authorization requests and medical reviews. On January 18-19, 2023, the National Committee of Vital and Health Statistics Standards Subcommittee held a hearing. Materials are available at the site.
Survey data on adoption and use of interoperable health IT by LTPAC providers and settings is important to determine progress and identify gaps or challenges that must be addressed. The Collaborative monitors and supports the following surveys and encourages providers to participate in these and other adoption studies.
ONC EHR Adoption and Interoperability Studies
- Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Agencies in 2017 Study
- Skilled Nursing Facility 2016 Study
The Collaborative monitors the progress and advancement TEFCA which was established to develop a universal floor for interoperability across the country. The Common Agreement will establish the infrastructure model and governing approach for users in different networks to securely share basic clinical information with each other—all under commonly agreed-to expectations and rules, and regardless of which network they happen to be in. The Trusted Exchange Framework describes a common set of non-binding, foundational principles for trust policies and practices that can help facilitate exchange among HINs.
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Policy Center
Open Dropdown
Overview
The Collaborative shares our expertise, perspectives, and recommendations with policy-makers through various means including comment letters, RFI responses, focus group participation, and more. Our comments and interactions are reflected by agency and by date.
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Name
Description
2023 Policies, Rules, and RFIs
3/2023: CMS Proposed Rule to Advance Interoperability and Improve Prior Authorization Processes
-The Collaborative reviewed and discussed the proposed rule. Collaborative member organizations from Advion and HIMSS submitted comments to CMS
2/2023: CMS rule
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
Name
Description
Response to ONC 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative agrees with the laudable goals outlined in the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan and appreciate HHS’ ongoing efforts to drive wide spread adoption and use of health IT that will benefit the individual and society alike.
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative appreciates the challenges in creating a high-level, strategic plan that serves to guide federal agencies over the next five years. We recognize that the most pressing health care issues at this time center on how we deal with the worldwide pandemic – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In time, the challenges we faced, and lessons learned will inform this strategic plan. What became clear in this crisis is the role of LTPAC providers in caring for our nation’s vulnerable population and the importance of ensuring these healthcare and service providers are fully integrated in our interoperable ecosystem.
Other
Name
Description
HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration
The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation published an HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration. Related to health IT, ONC is leading coordination activities across HHS to identify HIT activities that will support integration of behavioral health care with other settings.
Sorted By Date
Name
Description
2023 Policies, Rules, and RFIs
3/2023: CMS Proposed Rule to Advance Interoperability and Improve Prior Authorization Processes
-The Collaborative reviewed and discussed the proposed rule. Collaborative member organizations from Advion and HIMSS submitted comments to CMS
2/2023: CMS rule
Administration Simplification
CMS released and accepted comments on the Administrative Simplification Rule
HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration
The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation published an HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration. Related to health IT, ONC is leading coordination activities across HHS to identify HIT activities that will support integration of behavioral health care with other settings.
Response to ONC 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative agrees with the laudable goals outlined in the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan and appreciate HHS’ ongoing efforts to drive wide spread adoption and use of health IT that will benefit the individual and society alike.
The LTPAC Health IT Collaborative appreciates the challenges in creating a high-level, strategic plan that serves to guide federal agencies over the next five years. We recognize that the most pressing health care issues at this time center on how we deal with the worldwide pandemic – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In time, the challenges we faced, and lessons learned will inform this strategic plan. What became clear in this crisis is the role of LTPAC providers in caring for our nation’s vulnerable population and the importance of ensuring these healthcare and service providers are fully integrated in our interoperable ecosystem.