Regional Health Care Initiative

September 2010 Issue

Kansas City Bi-State Health Information Exchange becomes eHealthAlign 

On Aug. 27, members of the KCBHIE formational board reviewed a variety of potential names, logos and taglines presented by Trozzolo Communications Group as part of a search for a new, more inclusive identity that better reflects the 25-county service area to be served by the health information exchange. After some deliberation, the board officially adopted the new name — eHealthAlign. Board members feel that this new name and logo will accurately represent the focus and purpose of the health information exchange. All future communications regarding the health information exchange will use the new name and logo. 

eHealthAlign August 2010 update:

In August, the eHealthAlign Formational Board of Directors approved two contracts: one with EFL Associates to begin a CEO search, and another with Support KC to provide accounting services. For more details about the August board meeting, see the monthly update. To receive future eHealthAlign monthly updates by e-mail, contact Jody Denson

eHealthAlign selects ICA to build technology infrastructure

At its September meeting, the eHealthAlign Board of Directors approved a contract with Informatics Corporation of America (ICA) to furnish the technology and infrastructure for a regional health information exchange that will serve the Greater Kansas City area, including 25 counties, 36 hospitals, 3,000 primary care physicians and 35 safety net clinics.

"By signing this contract today, we are taking a huge step forward but there is still much work to be done," said Jason M. Mitchell, MD, chair of the board of eHealthAlign. "I'm inspired by our accomplishments to date and look forward to our next steps."

ICA's CareAlign™ solution will be implemented in a phased approach. The first phase will focus on addressing electronic medical records, clinical messaging, personal health records, e-prescribing and physician referrals. Subsequent phases will address patient registries, medical reconciliation and reporting.

Local foundations award $1 million to eHealthAlign

On Friday, Sept. 24, Steve Roling, president and CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and Brenda Sharpe, president and CEO of the REACH Healthcare foundation (pictured at podium) spoke to the eHealthAlign Board of Directors. The board recently announced $1 million in grants from local foundations to build the technology infrastructure that will allow the secure exchange of real-time information between hospitals, physicians and safety net providers.

The grants include $800,000 from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, $100,000 each from the REACH Healthcare Foundation and the Victor E. Speas Foundation, Bank of America Trustee; and $50,000 from Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners.

Initial deployment of the system will focus on improving health care for those most medically vulnerable, including those who are uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid — which includes more than 400,000 people in the Greater Kansas City area. The first year will focus on the safety-net population and future years will focus on bringing the rest of the 25 counties into the system. Everyone will benefit as the exchange becomes fully operational across the region. The system will ultimately include 36 hospitals, approximately 3,000 primary care providers, 38 safety net clinics, and numerous behavioral health facilities.

Kansas Regional Extension Center seeks Primary Care Providers

The Kansas Regional Extension Center provides assistance and support to Kansas primary care providers in the implementation of electronic health records. In order to recruit more priority primary care providers (PPCPs), the REC is offering the following incentives: 

  • Rural Health Clinics: Service fees will be waived for the first two program years* for the first 350 PPCPs.
  • Non-Rural Health Clinics: Service fees will be waived for the first program year* for the first 200 PPCPs to sign up before Oct. 15, 2010. 
  • Practices that signed a contract prior to Aug. 23, 2010, will be credited for six months worth of service fees. This credit will appear in the second year of their contracts.

*Note: The REC’s first program year is from Feb. 8, 2010, to Feb. 7, 2011. The second program year is from Feb. 8, 2011, to Feb. 7, 2012. 

For more information about the REC and the services it can provide to primary care providers, download the flier or contact Michael Aldridge, MBA, HITREC Director.

Safety Net Capacity Expansion Project will expand hours in second year

Five safety net clinics joined together last year to create a collaborative proposal to expand safety net health care services in the metropolitan Kansas City region.  The project received funding from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Reach Healthcare Foundation.  Two of the clinics, Quindaro Family Health Care and Health Partnership of Johnson County, began providing care on evenings and on weekends when the program began in October 2009.  KC Free Health Clinic expanded its hours in November 2009, followed by Swope Health Services in January 2010.  Northland Health Care Access partnered with Samuel U. Rodgers to begin providing extended hours in March 2010. (See map for geographical locations of the five clinics.)

A principal goal of the initiative was to improve access to care for the uninsured by increasing the number of non-traditional hours when care was available. The participating clinics were able to offer better access during the first program’s year, particularly on weekday evenings. During Year One, the clinics were open on evenings and weekends for an additional 63 hours per week.  During Year Two, this will increase to 75 evening and weekend hours per week.  

For more information on clinic hours and clinic services visit www. kchealthresource.org. You may also request a hard copy of the Health Resource Guide by contacting Traci Rowland.

Fellowship program to prepare next generation of nonprofit leaders

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) has been selected to collaborate with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) to implement a national fellowship program in metropolitan Kansas City that will help train the next generation of community health leaders. The RWJF Ladder to Leadership program aims to boost the skills and capabilities of early- to mid-level professionals working in health and health-related nonprofit organizations so they will be positioned to lead organizations as many nonprofit leaders retire.

Over the next three months, RWJF, CCL, and the national advisory committee of the Ladder to Leadership program will select 30 fellows who work in the Kansas City area to take part in the 16-month leadership curriculum. Fellows will participate in face-to-face training sessions, individualized executive coaching, and team project work.

 “This program will offer excellent training to the emerging nonprofit leaders in greater Kansas City, not only enhancing their professional growth but helping our community grow a cadre of skilled health professionals to provide needed leadership,” said Steve Roling, HCF President/CEO.

To become a fellow, applicants must demonstrate a record of accomplishment within the nonprofit sector, potential for leadership in the nonprofit health or health care field, and a proven commitment to serving at-risk groups.  An information session will be held on October 18 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. or October 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Kauffman Conference Center.

Kansas City was one of eight sites selected across the country to participate in the program. It was chosen because of the unique health care needs, census and demographic information, community-based needs for public health leadership development, and commitment of local community partners.
To learn more about who is eligible and how to apply, visit  www.healthcare4kc.org or the RWJF web page about the progam. You may also contact Graciela Couchonnal, Ph.D at 816-241-7006, ext. 118.

Upcoming Events:

Webinar on health information exchange technology

Four Kansas health care organizations — the Kansas Hospital Association, the Kansas Medical Society, the Wichita Health Information Exchange and eHealthAlign (formerly the Kansas City Bi-State Health Information Exchange) — invite interested participants to attend a webinar that will provide a demonstration of the Informatics Corporation of America (ICA) health information exchange.   The webinar is scheduled for Sept. 29, from 2–3:00 p.m.  Space is limited, so please register early.

Forum on the Regional Impact of Health Reform

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the REACH Healthcare Foundation are sponsoring a forum for nonprofit organizations in Missouri and Kansas to learn more about the impact of the national Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

  • Sept. 29, 2010, 1-3:00 p.m.
    Dunlap Hall at the Holter Conference Center, St. Paul School of Theology
    5123 E. Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64127

The event will feature a keynote address by Judy Baker, Regional VII HHS Director, and a panel conversation with health leaders in Missouri and Kansas, including Andy Allison, E.D., Kansas Health Policy Authority; Sandy Praeger, Kansas Insurance Commissioner; and John Huff, Missouri Insurance Commissioner. Space is limited. Register by Sept. 22. 

New Date:  Worry Free Lobbying for Nonprofits

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the REACH Healthcare Foundation will bring the Alliance for Justice to Kansas City on November 9, 2010. The Alliance will discuss how nonprofit organizations and foundations can take advantage of the clear and generous provisions in federal law that encourage lobbying activity. 

 

The Regional Health Care Initiative is funded by the following organizations:

REACH Healthcare Foundation | Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City

Mid-America Regional Council | 600 Broadway, Suite 200 | Kansas City, MO 64105
ph: 816/474-4240 | fax: 816/421-7758 | www.marc.org/healthinitiative