This Week in CHCACTion
November 13, 2017
This Week in CHCACTivities
CHCACT began an eConsult pilot project with five health centers this fall: First Choice, Optimus, Southwest, StayWell and the Wheeler Clinic. In these sites, primary care physicians send information about a patient, through a secure portal, to a specialist; the specialist then examines test results, patient demographic and clinical data, etc and recommends either a specific treatment (e.g., daily aspirin and follow-up) or an in-person visit with a specialist. The goal is to improve access to specialty care, while controlling costs in the health care system. These eConsults are also more convenient for patients, whose symptoms may not actually require them to have another medical visit.

Rob Rioux, Network Director, Health Center Controlled Network
Over the first 103 days of the project, physicians made 482 eConsult referrals. Of those, 279 (58%) were handled through eConsult and follow-up from the primary care physician, avoiding face-to-face specialist visits – and saving an estimated $115,000 in costs to the state Medicaid program. With a four-month pilot, ending January 31st, CHCACT estimates the state will save over $600,000 through the use of eConsults in just five health centers.
The goal is to make eConsults available in all health centers across CT. This model could be a game-changer for patients, providers and the State. Our barrier to success remains a viable reimbursement model that pays for the platform/technology and the specialist access. CHCACT is actively working with the Department of Social Services to address the reimbursement issue. Stay tuned for updates!
Have a great week!
Rob
This Week in Social Media
Join us this Wednesday in Willimantic for a moderated discussion about health care costs, sponsored by
@State_of_CT_OHA, CHCACT & Generations Family Health Center! (@CTHealthCenters) November 13, 2017.
This Week in Funding Opportunities
This Week in Health Policy News
Here is a sampling of health policy news from around the state. If you see something in your local newspaper that you would like featured here in future weeks, please contact Deb Polun at dpolun@chcact.org. Check out all the Health Policy News from the past month here!
11.7.17 CT NewsJunkie — Union Coalition Sides with Anthem in Contract Dispute
11.13.17 Hartford Business Journal — Low-Income Health Insurance Funding Could Run Dry
11.10.17 CT NewsJunkie — Enrollment in CT’s Health Exchange is Up Fifteen Percent
11.8.17 Hartford Business Journal — Aetna Introduces Low-Cost Prescription Drug Plan
11.12.17 NY Times — Trump Health Agency Challenges Consensus on Reducing Costs
11.10.17 NY Times — No Excuses – Get the New Shingles Vaccine
11.7.17 Kaiser Health News — Medicaid Chief Says Feds Are Willing to Approve Work Requirements
11.7.17 Kaiser Health News — Beyond Stigma and Bias, Many Transgender People Struggle with Mental Health