Get the Facts.

+ Montana has attempted to build an HIE in the past – how is this effort different?

THE TECHNOLOGY GAP THAT EXISTED BEFORE IS LESS PREVALENT, and BSCC has bridged that gap and, for the first time in Montana, has gone “live” with an actual user-friendly interface. BSCC has partnered with organizations that are widely regarded as global leaders in technology, security, interoperability and functionality. BSCC has funding. Already well over half the Hospital systems in Montana have signed on. 48 other States in America have already established an HIE.

+ Providers/Healthcare Systems already have all the access to information they need. Why should they connect to the BSCC HIE network?

Larger healthcare systems may have access to more data in their native EHR system, but that does not necessarily equate to “all” data or information. THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE IN MONTANA IS STILL FRAGMENTED in that a significant volume of care is provided in independent medical practices, behavioral health clinics, diagnostic settings, pharmacies, optometric practices, etc. Also, THE BSCC HIE ALLOWS THE SHARING OF DATA AMONG FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT ON THE SAME EHR.

Access to a comprehensive patient medical record saves valuable time spent searching for and retrieving patient information, and allows for more time with the patient. The BSCC HIE also addresses the needs of tourists and “snowbirds” temporarily staying in Montana who might end up needing routine or emergency care.

+ What is the value of an HIE for healthcare providers?

THE VALUE DELIVERED BY HIEs, such as increases in patient safety, efficiencies in the delivery of care, and in patient and provider satisfaction, IS WELL DOCUMENTED/ SUBSTANTIATED in other States, and has been sustained over many years. Benefits to providers include Interoperability; aligning with CMS initiatives like Primary Care First; lower re-admission rates; shorter lengths of stay, as desired; increased Case Mix Scores; reductions in staff time gathering patient records; and being part of a collective investment in the well-being of all Montanans.

+ What are the plans for the future of BSCC?

BSCC IS A HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION WITH TALENTED STAFF, AND A STRONG STRATEGIC AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. Also, as stated above, well over half the Hospital Systems in Montana have signed on.

Our Sustainability Plan was designed to be funded 33% by State/Government, 33% by Providers and 33% by Payors. THE FEE STRUCTURE FOR PROVIDERS WAS DESIGNED TO MIRROR OTHER FEE STRUCTURES THAT PROVIDERS SHOULD ALREADY BE FAMILIAR WITH.

Since 2018, the State of Montana/DPHHS and CMS have provided the majority of the financial backing of BSCC, to the benefit of the entire Montana healthcare community and its citizens. It is now time to move to a Sustainability model based on the idea that we’re “all in this together” for the greater good of all Montanans. This collective effort by all stakeholders (DPHHS/CMS, Provider and Payors) is an investment in building-out/evolving the HIE, for the benefit of all Montanans to, as quickly as possible, give Providers a positive and growing return on investment.

+ Can we include any costs related to the HIE on hospital Cost Reports

YES, CMS WILL REIMBURSE FOR SOME HIE-RELATED COSTS.

Amounts paid to the HIE related to the interoperability framework are allowable costs for hospitals (both PPS and CAH facilities). “Related party rules” do not apply since the hospitals do not “own” the HIE enterprise. Since the BSCC fees are annual, hospitals do not need to spread the expense over multiple cost reporting periods.

+ What involvement will Payors have in the BSCC HIE?

BSCC was developed to be a collaborative health data sharing enterprise and has actively engaged with the full spectrum of the health care industry from patients, to providers, to payors to government agencies. BSCC has a long term Sustainability Plan that includes active participation from providers, payors and State government. BSCC does not collect any financial data from any of our provider or payor participants. CLINICAL DATA (MEDICATIONS DIAGNOSIS, PROCEDURES, ETC.) FROM CLAIMS IS, AND WILL REMAIN, THE ONLY DATA that will be INCORPORATED INTO THE HIE.

Additionally, broadly speaking, PAYORS WON’T BE ABLE TO OBTAIN DATA FROM THE HIE THAT THEY DON’T ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO.

Currently (Nov. 2021), Montana Medicaid is the only Payor that is a participant in the BSCC HIE. BSCC is working collaboratively with Montana Medicaid as our primary Payor participant to complete the integration of claims and eligibility interfaces with our data repository. BSCC is working closely with other Payors to integrate their claims data into our repository and plans in the future are to integrate Payors as active participants in the HIE.

+ Do you have any real-world examples of Providers using the BSCC HIE?

FROM DR. STEVEN ARBOGAST, DO, FAAN - DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY BILLINGS CLINIC:

“August 2021, a 53-year-old patient presented at SCL Health Medical Group in Red Lodge with Dyspnea. That same day, the patient showed up at Beartooth Billings Clinic Emergency Room with Covid-19. Within the next two weeks, the patient was at St. Vincent Health Care with Respiratory Failure. In early September, the patient was moved to Advanced Care Hospital of Montana after having a seizure. I (Dr. Arbogast) was brought in to complete a seizure consult. I reviewed the D/C summary in SCL. After logging into SCL Health EPIC, I then logged into Billings Clinic Cerner searching for patient information that would explain more about this patient. In all these instances I wasn’t able to discern a probable cause of the seizure.

Finally, I logged into the BSCC HIE. The BSCC HIE medication history report showed that the patient had been on Keppra, prescribed through a Riverstone provider, which is a seizure prescription. I called to start the prescription again, the medication was restarted, and the seizures were controlled. Because of the HIE, there was no need for aggressive further workup”.

BSCC CAN BRING TOGETHER EVERY HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STATE. From Billings to Kalispell, Missoula to Havre, critical patient information follows the patient when and where it is needed most.

+ What if I want to opt-out?

It’s Your Decision

There are great benefits to both you and your medical providers in being part of BSCC. Your providers rely on current, accurate, and complete information to provide you with quality care. We encourage you to discuss any potential opt-out request with your provider regarding the extent to which you do or don’t want your health information shared, and how your provider can accommodate the request.

To opt out now, click here.