The California Health eQuality program (CHeQ), managed by the UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement (IPHI), has announced two new programs to help fund health information exchange (HIE) in California.
The Rural HIE Incentive Program will allocate up to $1,000,000 for up to five HIE service providers. CHeQ will award contracts to help rural medical communities develop information exchange services.
The Innovation in Data Analytics Awards will allocate $300,000 for up to two recipients that develop electronic tools to help manage chronic diseases and disease prevention services, particularly for medically underserved populations.
"We are giving priority to projects that promote public-private collaboration and population health improvement, and that address the needs of HIE underserved areas," said Kenneth Kizer, the director of IPHI and a distinguished professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine.
The fullRequests for Proposals (RFPs)for these programs will be posted on the IPHI website by Jan. 31, 2013. Proposals for these awards will be due on Feb. 28, 2013.
There will be an informational webinar on Feb. 4, 2013 at 1 p.m. on the Rural HIE Incentive Program and at 2 p.m. on the Innovation in Data Analytics Awards. There will be dial-in instructions on the CHeQ Funding Opportunities website.
CHeQ also plans releasing two more RFPs in February. One program will help support expanding HIE for the "urban safety-net," meaning health care providers caring for the medically underserved, in Los Angeles County.
"Limited access to health care services in urban areas is most often due to persons being uninsured or underinsured, but also results from lack of transportation and other factors," Kizer said. "Los Angeles is not unique in California in this regard, but with its large population LA has particularly acute needs."
The other program will support exchanging data for populations that are Medicare-Medicaid dual beneficiaries and other medically complex populations.
