Other Programs
NYC REACH members can access resources and pilot programs from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. These programs use your EHR features for innovative public health initiatives based on top public health concerns for New York City.
Depending on your practice, you may qualify for one or more of these programs. Read below to find out more about these programs:
Financial Assistance and Staff Recruitment
[click to expand]
NYC Business Solutions works closely with the Primary Care Information Project and NYC REACH to help physicians find financing for EHR adoption. This group can also help you find experienced staff to work in an EHR-enabled practice.
Patient Centered Medical Home Certification
[click to expand]A Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) puts the patient at the center of their health care system and coordinates their care across providers. New York State Medicaid and other payer organizations including Empire BlueCross BlueShield each reward providers for their efforts in achieving recognition.
There are six standards, with 27 specific elements, that make up PCMH under the new 2011 standards:
- Enhance Access and Continuity
- Identify and Manage Patient Populations
- Plan and Manage Care
- Provide Self-Care and Community Support
- Track and Coordinate Care
- Measure and Improve Performance
Depending on how many elements a practice meets, they will qualify for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 PCMH as determined by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
For more information and helpful resources, please visit the NCQA website for free tools and trainings. Providers can also join the PCMH conversation at On the Record to get tips from other practices interested in PCMH. Members are encouraged to check the latest training schedule for upcoming PCMH webinars. Contact us for more information about PCMH services.
Health eHearts Pay for Performance
[click to expand]
In January 2009, The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) launched NYC Health eHearts Rewards, a pilot incentive program funded by the Robin Hood Foundation. This pilot will reward and recognize electronic health record (EHR)-enabled practices for achieving excellent heart health in patients. eHearts focuses on improving cardiovascular health to produce the greatest impact on the health of New Yorkers. Unlike other pay-for-performance programs, eHearts will use EHR-generated clinical quality outcomes and is designed to reduce health disparities.
Health eQuits Pay for Performance
[click to expand]The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announces the launch of Health eQuits ("eQuits" or healthy Quits), a project that will reward and recognize electronic health record (EHR)-enabled practices for treating New York City smokers. This project is made possible through Communities Putting Prevention to Work funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Practices will be rewarded for their improvement in treating (prescribing cessation medications, counseling, or referral to the NYS quit line) identified smokers. A practice will receive $20 for each additional patient receiving smoking cessation treatment above baseline (# of identified smokers treated at program end - # of identified smokers treated at program start).
The quality incentive payment to each participating practice is capped at $10,000.
Panel Management
[click to expand]Panel Management connects primary care providers with patients most in need of ongoing care. Rather than waiting for high-risk patients to make appointments when something is wrong, or to end up in the hospital, the Panel Management approach proactively contacts patients who would benefit from a follow up appointment or additional education.
To assist providers who want to adopt this model, PCIP provides practices with a dedicated Prevention Outreach Specialist (POS) who uses patient registries to identify patients who routinely fall through the gaps, especially those with hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes. Through outreach and education, this Panel Manager connects patients with preventative services and timely intervention.