The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) issued a request for information (RFI) seeking input from the public regarding the digital health environment, leveraging technology to improve Medicare beneficiary access to data, as well as the current state of data interoperability.  On May 28^th, WEDI conducted a Member Position event (MPA) to discuss the RFI and prepare a response.

With over 100 individuals in attendance at the MPA, representing over 30 WEDI member organizations, WEDI collected and presented comments to the RFI. The MPA facilitators included: Merri-Lee Stine (Aetna, a CVS Company, WEDI Board Chair); Denny Brennan (MHDC, WEDI Board Chair-Elect); Gail Kocher (BCBSA, WEDI Board Director); Heather McComas (AMA; WEDI Board Director); Michelle Barry (Availity; Co-Chair, Provider Information SWG); Stanley Nachimson (Nachimson Advisors; Co-Chair, Claims SWG, No Surprises Act TG); Samantha Burch (AHIP); Jeff Coughlin (AMA); Alix Goss (Point of Care Partners); Michael Phillips (CAQH); and moderator Nancy Spector (WEDI).  The RFI’s emphasis on patient empowerment and effective data exchange aligns with WEDI’s mission on the use of health IT to efficiently improve health information exchange, enhance care quality, and reduce costs.

In our letter, WEDI argued that to successfully meet the goals laid out in the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act—and to carry out the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule—it's critical that all the right players have access to the tools and capabilities they need. For payers and providers, that means efficiently sharing clinical data that helps drive better care, reduced burden, and lowered costs. For patients, technology can facilitate easy and secure access to their health information-essential to having them be fully engaged in the care process.

WEDI recommended that as CMS and ASTP/ONC look at ways to improve the health IT landscape, it is essential that this transition:

• Puts the patient and their caregivers at the heart of the system;
• Supports smooth, automated data exchange using standards that are mature, well-defined, tested, and proven to deliver real value; and
• Seamlessly integrates data across the health IT ecosystem.

Read WEDI’s full RFI response here and to learn more about how you can make your voice heard and participate in the next Member Position Advisory event, get in touch!