INTRODUCTION: What is this Newsletter About?

Welcome to the 4th edition of our State Agency Newsletter, created by Connie, the designated Health Information Exchange (HIE) for the state of Connecticut. As a non-profit organization primarily funded by the state, we are dedicated to being your go-to resource for all your community care goals. We encourage you to always THINK CONNIE FIRST when striving to improve the health outcomes of the communities we serve.

Connie plays an essential role in facilitating the secure and appropriate exchange of electronic health information among healthcare providers, public health agencies, and other stakeholders involved in the care of Connecticut's residents.

We recognize the crucial role of state agencies in providing essential care to the community, from ensuring public health and safety to promoting the growth and development of children. These agencies also play a valuable part in supporting vulnerable community members in living fulfilling and productive lives, and we are thrilled to collaborate with them to achieve our shared goal of improving health outcomes for all.

In this newsletter, we will keep you updated on our latest initiatives and collaborations, share insights on the benefits of HIE, and highlight how our platform is making a positive impact in the lives of patients across Connecticut. We also look forward to hearing from you and learning how Connie could help you achieve your data-driven goals.



Thank you for your interest in Connie and for aligning with our mission to improve the health of Connecticut through innovative technology. We hope you find this newsletter informative and valuable, and we look forward to working with you to create a healthier Connecticut!



Working to Pioneer Value-Based Care:

Connie Supports the Transformation of Connecticut's Medicaid Management

Connie is working with Connecticut's Department of Social Services (DSS) to drive innovation in Medicaid Management, with the shared goal of improving client health outcomes. As the designated health information exchange in the state, Connie is dedicated to supporting the success of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program. This initiative is poised to establish a robust foundation for HCBS providers, uniting them in a collective mission to revolutionize value-based care.

The program's objective is to reduce avoidable hospitalizations, shorten nursing facility stays, and prioritize home-centered support. Currently, Connie actively engages with 200 participants in Connecticut's DSS HCBS program. As the program advances toward its official launch, Connie eagerly anticipates realizing its potential. This endeavor holds the promise of driving change across the healthcare and social services sectors, inspiring medical and public service professionals to embrace this shift towards more efficient and value-driven care.

At the heart of the DSS strategy and fueled by ARPA funds are Value-Based Payments (VBP). This approach incentivizes HCBS providers to surpass predefined benchmarks, triggering a retrospective 1% rate increase with each milestone achieved. Looking ahead, the DSS envisions a transformative shift beginning in 2023. The program's focus will pivot towards member outcomes, directly linking compensation to value and pushing the boundaries of healthcare excellence.

Connie's role will be pivotal as it operates through a sophisticated web-based application designed to coordinate seamless patient/client care. The HCBS tool accessible via the Connie portal will serve as a care coordination center, providing a comprehensive view of assigned clients and their key well-being indicators. Alongside this, a detailed client Snapshot will empower HCBS providers with crucial insights into care needs. This dashboard will serve as a foundational blueprint, guiding HCBS providers toward the necessary Value-Based Payment (VBP) requirements.

Connie's influence is set to extend well beyond the initial three-year phase. By fostering collaboration and equipping HCBS providers with essential tools, Connie aims to lay the groundwork for enduring change. This isn't merely about achievements; it's an invitation for all state agencies to join Connecticut's DSS in pioneering this innovative approach. Together, a future is envisioned where healthcare outcomes improve, and communities thrive through home-based care.

To learn more about this program, click HERE.

Leveraging Immunization Records:

Empowering Public Health through Innovative Data Sharing

Civitas Networks for Health is a national nonprofit collaborative comprised of 166 member organizations working to use health information exchange, health data, and multi-stakeholder, cross-sector approaches to improve health. In January, the organization published a paper exploring the ways that HIEs across the country are supporting public health initiatives. Connie, Connecticut's health information exchange (HIE), eagerly anticipates studying these initiatives and building upon their blueprint to fortify public health efforts. By drawing inspiration from these transformative approaches, other state agencies can adapt and apply them to foster positive change within their own domains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the pivotal role of HIEs in bolstering public health data, casting a spotlight on their profound significance. The published paper by Civitas demonstrates how HIEs can enhance data from public health agencies by seamlessly integrating clinical records. This method not only bridges gaps but also refines demographic aspects like race and ethnicity within COVID-19 case records.

Imagine an epidemiologist delving into COVID-19 vaccine efficacy analysis: the HIE can fuse together a COVID case file with the immunization registry, vital statistics, and hospitalization data through the HIE's master person index (MPI). Layering illness, vaccinations, and hospitalizations with records of existing chronic conditions complete the picture, unveiling a richer context for health outcome analysis.

This innovative approach extends to address health disparities, with a focus on Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REL) data. The Civitas paper explores models for merging clinical records and social data to create a holistic view. For instance, Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) collaborates with their state HIE (HealthInfoNet) to intricately weave Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data. This collaboration empowers targeted interventions that promote inclusivity and equitable healthcare.

Additionally, HIEs bridge data gaps between public health agencies and field clinicians.

Bi-directional interfaces transmit patient data from immunization registries to electronic health records, equipping clinicians with real-time insights. While these aren't Connie's current initiatives, they highlight the HIEs potential. Connie has the ability to harness similar transformative efforts and wants to partner with state agencies to reshape the future of public health, fostering resilient communities, and advancing healthcare excellence.

Click HERE to see how Civitas outlines additional ways that state agencies can utilize HIE data.

Connie's dedicated State Agency Newsletter is a valuable resource for staying up-to-date with how Connecticut and other states are leveraging HIEs to improve their programs. By providing timely and accurate data on the health of populations, HIEs can help agencies better target their resources and comply with state and federal regulations related to healthcare data exchange and reporting. As Connecticut's designated health information exchange, Connie is uniquely positioned to provide insights and updates on the latest trends and best practices in the industry.



Our newsletter offers comprehensive coverage of state agency-related topics, including innovative solutions to the most pressing issues. Be sure to subscribe and forward this email to your colleagues to ensure everyone in your organization has access to this important information!