New York Data Exchange Incentive Program (DEIP) Encourages Patient Quality of Care and Decreased Cost to Providers

The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), with support from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has established the Data Exchange Incentive Program (DEIP) to increase Health Information Exchange (HIE) adoption across the state. The HIE is a platform for participants to access and securely share a patient's vital medical information electronically—improving the speed, quality, safety, and cost of patient care.  

HIE is provided by the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY), which is an essential component in support of New York’s broader healthcare goal of improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare for all New Yorkers. SHIN-NY is a “network of networks” that links New York’s eight regional Qualified Entities (QEs) throughout the state. Each QE operates its own network that collects electronic health records for participating providers. 

Providers participating in DEIP are incentivized to contribute a pre-defined set of data elements to their local QE.  Limited funding is available and this program is operated on a first-come, first-served basis.  To receive incentive payments, providers must meet Milestone 1, which is to become a participant of a QE, and Milestone 2, which is the ability to receive summary of care and contribute clinical data to the QE. To receive funding, milestones must be completed by September 30, 2018.  Distribution of the incentive can take up to four months from the date providers attest to meeting the milestone(s).  Click here for additional information on how to apply and program requirements.

What Does CohnReznick Think?

Numerous factors in our society underscore the need for changes to isolated, fragmented health information. The concept of a free flow of information has the potential to improve quality of care for consumers.  Given the rising costs of providing care, providers should consider program participation to access vital patient health information, improve decision-making at the point of care, and potentially decrease costs associated with providing services.  

Contact

For more information, please contact Peter Epp, Partner, Healthcare Industry Practice Leader, at [email protected] or 646-254-7411, or Dolores Di Re, Senior Manager, at [email protected] or 646-625-5703.