Public comment period for WA-APCD data requests
Through April 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific), the Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking public comment for three recent data requests.
Under WAC 182-70-230, the lead organization must establish a transparent process for the review of data requests, which includes a process for public review for specific requests. …The process must also include the ability for the public to comment on requests that include the release of protected health information or proprietary financial information or both. …The time frame for public comment should not be less than fourteen calendar days. The lead organization must post the final decision for the request within seven days after the decision is made.
Public comment
Public comment is open to anyone who would like to share feedback. We encourage health care and social service providers, managed care organizations, hospitals and health systems, medical associations, Tribes, Accountable Communities of Health, and the public to provide input.
The requests
Pierce County Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Court Tax Evaluation
Data Request Source: Washington State All-Payer Claims Database (WA-APCD)
Data Requestor: Pierce County Council
Data type: Protected Health Information (PHI)
Email public comments to: apcd@hca.wa.gov
Public comment schedule: March 24 - April 8, 2022
Summary:
This research project is a joint effort of the Human Services Department of Pierce County and the Performance Audit Committee, managed by Pierce County Council staff, to provide a systematic evaluation of the programs funded by a new Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts tax. One of the major assumptions undergirding this tax is that it will allow Pierce County to shift the burden of care from expensive systems like 911, the emergency room, and the criminal justice system to proactive care and prevention. This project intends to evaluate and validate that claim, providing an outcomes analysis for participants in the program to see if treatment led to better outcomes and less use of these expensive systems. As part of that project, we intend to use the Washington All Payer Claims Database to track participants in the newly funded programs, allowing for a somewhat detailed (but anonymous) medical population history of participants in the program. This research will also provide insights into the effectiveness of behavioral health programs, providing benefits to payers, including HCA and the five MCOs in Pierce County. Such a program of research is particularly important as there is no centralized data repository for the county or providers to determine the effectiveness of treatments.
This request is for receipt of the following PHI data elements: member five digit Zip Code, date of service (from), date of service (through), and member admission/discharge dates. This WA-APCD data application is currently under review by the WA-APCD program.
Dental claims-based patients loyalty analysis
Data Request Source: Washington State All-Payer Claims Database (WA-APCD)
Data Requestor: Toveton
Data type: Protected Health Information (PHI)
E-mail public comments to: apcd@hca.wa.gov
Public comment schedule: March 24 - April 8, 2022
Summary:
The objective of the project is to determine dental care indicators summarizing patients' retention and patients’ geographical distribution characteristics related to selected dentists. The indicators will be calculated by using the WA-APCD dental claims data. These indicators combined with other dentist's related information will be available at no cost to the public, and the indicators will be used for the public benefit by helping the residents of the Washington state to make informed decisions on choosing the dentists that are right for them.
This request is for receipt of the following PHI data elements: Date of Service (From) and Date of Service (Through). This WA-APCD data application is currently under review by the WA-APCD program.
National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) Facility Fee Impact Assessment
Data Request Source: Washington State All-Payer Claims Database (WA-APCD)
Data Requestor: Optumas
Data type: Protected Health Information (PHI)
E-mail public comments to: apcd@hca.wa.gov
Public comment schedule: March 24 - April 8, 2022
Summary:
This project is focused on analyzing the impact of facility fees on the total cost of healthcare across Commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage payers obtained from the Washington All Payer Claims Database (WA-APCD). There has been a trend over recent years of hospitals acquiring professional practices, which may have the impact of increasing healthcare cost due to inclusion of a facility fee for the same service. Hospital systems across the nation have been and are currently acquiring physician practices, and policymakers would like to understand the impact that this trend could have on the health care system. This study, sponsored by NASHP with funding from Arnold Ventures, is focused on providing insight into the following questions: (1) Has this type of integration had a financial impact on our health care system? If so, does this impact differ by healthcare market; Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid? (2) Has this integration changed provider practice patterns? If so, is there a particular type of provider practice that is disproportionately impacted by vertical integration?
This request is for receipt of the following PHI data elements: Date of Service (From) and Date of Service (Through). The final results of the study will be published within a white paper and made available to the public through NASHP. This WA-APCD data application is currently under review by the WA-APCD program.
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