Improving Ohio health system data transparency
The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has recently adopted a three-year strategic plan that identifies four strategic objectives for informing health policy development in Ohio. One of those objectives is developing tools for improved Ohio health system data transparency.
A critical tool for improving health care quality and controlling costs is the availability of transparent, accessible health data (e.g. costs, prices, quality measures) that can be used by consumers, payers, providers, and policymakers to make informed, data-driven decisions.
HPIO’s decision to focus on developing tools for improved Ohio health system data transparency is based on several key factors:
- Quality improvement. Evidence suggests that publicly releasing performance data stimulates quality improvement efforts among hospitals. It gives low-ranking hospitals objective feedback for improving their performance and motivates high cost hospitals to seek ways to eliminate expensive but medically questionable procedures that may not improve outcomes.
- ACA provisions. The availability of price, quality, cost, and utilization data will enhance the ability to evaluate health/medical home and/or accountable care organizations (ACO) piloted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and can support insurance rate review efforts required of the state health benefit exchange.
- Federal leadership. Transparency and Data Sharing is one of four key components of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Open Government Initiative, which includes the Community Health Data Initiative – a large-scale public-private effort that aims to help Americans understand health and health care performance in their communities and to help spark and facilitate action to improve performance and ultimately health status.
- Consumer Interest. A Commonwealth Fund survey found that 95 percent of Americans think having information about the quality of care provided by different doctors or hospitals is important, and 91 percent feel that having information about costs of care before they receive that care is important. Price and quality data will permit consumers to engage in more value-based shopping for health care services.
- Reduced spending. While the effect of price transparency on spending for health care services and pharmaceuticals is mixed and still emerging, the wide variation in medical prices within the U.S. creates an opportunity for reduced spending by encouraging providers to seek a “middle price range” in order to remain competitive, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. According to former Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, consumers, providers, health plans, and payers can all benefit from price and quality data to ensure the purchase of health care with the highest value.
HPIO will inform health policy development related toimproving health data transparency by working to:
- Analyze and educate policymakers
- Convene stakeholders around health system data transparency strategies
- Foster the spread of data transparency practices and programs that are producing promising results
Questions?
If you have questions about HPIO's health system data transparency work or would like more information, please contact Janet Goldberg at 614.224.4950 x304 or jgoldberg@hpio.net.
