New Health Data Policies and Incentives Coming for California Healthcare

The state’s nonprofit health data network, Manifest MedEx, is helping health leaders prepare for proposed federal regulations and a brand-new $50 million Cal-HOP incentive program.

EMERYVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–California health data could be significantly more connected soon, thanks to the twin forces of proposed federal regulations for information sharing combined with a new state incentive program for health data exchange. California is investing $50 million this year to help hospitals and providers participate in health information exchanges (HIEs). It’s called the California Medi-Cal HIE Onboarding Program (Cal-HOP).

“Massive change and opportunity are coming for California healthcare in the next few months,” said Claudia Williams, CEO of Manifest MedEx, who also previously led health data policy at the White House. “Hospitals, clinics, providers, and health plans are all facing new requirements for sharing health data information and have new financial support available to help make those connections. We’re doing what we can to support health leaders across the state as they put data to work.”

Healthcare leaders are invited to register for a free webinar on Monday, April 15, at 3:00 p.m. PT. Hosted by Williams and Erica Galvez, chief strategy officer for Manifest MedEx, who previously developed the Office of the National Coordinator’s (ONC) interoperability road map, this free session will answer health policy questions and give healthcare leaders a head start on earning Cal-HOP incentives.

The nonprofit has also structured a special limited-time bonus program offering $60,000 to qualifying hospitals that choose Manifest MedEx as their HIE partner for the Cal-HOP program before May 31, 2019. Learn more about this bonus incentive and sign up here.

“We hope that providing additional resources will make it easy for hospitals across our state to sign up and get value quickly,” said Williams. “Accelerating health information sharing in California is key to improving patient care, reducing healthcare costs, and collaboratively doing the hard work of transforming our medical systems.”

More than 400 healthcare organizations in California already participate in the Manifest MedEx health data network, receiving real-time information on millions of patients every day. Recently announced new participants include AHMC Healthcare, Health Net, Heritage California, Hill Physicians, Scripps Health, and Stanford Health Care.