Chopra: New business models needed to support innovation, reform
CHICAGO--Aneesh Chopra, chief technology officer (CTO)of the United States from 2009 until earlier this year, spoke about harnessing the power of technology during the final talk of the 84th American Health Information Management Association Convention & Exhibit.
Chopra told the audience “it’s on our shoulders to address the biggest challenge our country has ever faced: creating the high-quality, affordable healthcare system we deserve.”
A large part of that effort will come from the ongoing open government movement, he said. On his first day in office, President Obama issued a memorandum instructing the CTO’s office to establish recommendations to be more open, transparent and collaborative. Open government is an international movement. “The spirit of innovative and entrepreneurship is happening around the world.”
Chopra said the open government movement is part of an overall vision for innovation with the following three pillars:
Meanwhile, incentives are a powerful force for Meaningful Use. For example, between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2011, the number of physician practices using an EHR doubled. “Adoption at this rate is unheard of,” Chopra said.
Chopra cited Cleveland Clinic’s research on patient outcomes using EHRs. Researchers found that, when measuring patients who received recommended care processes, the rate was 51 percent for those with electronic records and just 7 percent for those with paper records. When measuring whether patients obtained four out of five key measures for outcomes, 44 percent of those with electronic records did so and only 16 percent of those with paper records did so. These numbers prove the benefits of EHRs, Chopra said.
Going forward, Chopra said that Affordable Care Act allows for new payment models to come together, including testing, validation and scaling, without Congressional intervention. This potential payment model reform means providers can “change your own path. You can determine what should be bundled to incentivize the right patient outcomes. A focus on value with create the economic conditions needed for a whole new array of innovative products and services.”
Chopra also cited an experience from his work as chief technology officer for the state of Virginia. The state received a grant designated for improving prenatal care in rural parts of the state where the preterm birth rate was approaching 17 percent. After three years of interventions with pregnant women, preterm birth rates fell by 30 percent. The problem now, however, is that when the grant runs out no one knows how to reimburse for the care.
“New tools are coming but we don’t need just technology, we need new business models.”
Chopra told the audience “it’s on our shoulders to address the biggest challenge our country has ever faced: creating the high-quality, affordable healthcare system we deserve.”
A large part of that effort will come from the ongoing open government movement, he said. On his first day in office, President Obama issued a memorandum instructing the CTO’s office to establish recommendations to be more open, transparent and collaborative. Open government is an international movement. “The spirit of innovative and entrepreneurship is happening around the world.”
Chopra said the open government movement is part of an overall vision for innovation with the following three pillars:
- Invest in building blocks of innovation. Traditionally, infrastructure investment went to things like roads and bridges. Now, that infrastructure is digital in nature.
- Establish the rules of the road to foster innovation.
- Catalyze breakthroughs to focus the system on value over volume. Engage entrepreneurs as problem solvers to join in this cause.
Meanwhile, incentives are a powerful force for Meaningful Use. For example, between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2011, the number of physician practices using an EHR doubled. “Adoption at this rate is unheard of,” Chopra said.
Chopra cited Cleveland Clinic’s research on patient outcomes using EHRs. Researchers found that, when measuring patients who received recommended care processes, the rate was 51 percent for those with electronic records and just 7 percent for those with paper records. When measuring whether patients obtained four out of five key measures for outcomes, 44 percent of those with electronic records did so and only 16 percent of those with paper records did so. These numbers prove the benefits of EHRs, Chopra said.
Going forward, Chopra said that Affordable Care Act allows for new payment models to come together, including testing, validation and scaling, without Congressional intervention. This potential payment model reform means providers can “change your own path. You can determine what should be bundled to incentivize the right patient outcomes. A focus on value with create the economic conditions needed for a whole new array of innovative products and services.”
Chopra also cited an experience from his work as chief technology officer for the state of Virginia. The state received a grant designated for improving prenatal care in rural parts of the state where the preterm birth rate was approaching 17 percent. After three years of interventions with pregnant women, preterm birth rates fell by 30 percent. The problem now, however, is that when the grant runs out no one knows how to reimburse for the care.
“New tools are coming but we don’t need just technology, we need new business models.”
Beth Walsh,
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.