Technology: The Key to DSRIP Success

A key component of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) being debated in Congress is a proposed reduction in Medicaid spending. The AHCA aims to scale back the Medicaid expansion that followed the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. Regardless of whether a new healthcare law includes such provisions, one thing is certain: controlling Medicaid costs will remain a priority for both federal and state governments.

This focus on cost containment will likely increase the emphasis on programs like the Delivery System Reform and Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, currently implemented in six states. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), DSRIP aims to “promote community-level collaborations and focus on system reform, specifically to achieve a 25 percent reduction in avoidable hospital use over five years.” To meet this goal, providers must work together to implement “system transformation, clinical improvement, and population health improvement.”

Achieving these ambitious targets will be challenging and will require providers to rely heavily on technology. Here are three areas where technology will play a critical role in meeting DSRIP goals.

Collaboration

One of the most crucial aspects of the New York State DSRIP program, which may be replicated in other states, is the development of Integrated Delivery Systems. These networks of healthcare organizations reduce the reliance on hospitals as the primary care location, directing patients to other facilities like walk-in clinics that better address their immediate needs, ultimately reducing overall costs.

Technology is essential for establishing these networks, as it requires an IT infrastructure that integrates the systems of all network members. The ability to share Electronic Health Record (EHR) data and other critical information is crucial to ensuring proper, effective, and safe care throughout the network.

Performance Metrics

To measure improvements and track the effectiveness of DSRIP programs, organizations must be able to collect, analyze, and report detailed performance data. This requires advanced data management and reporting capabilities that may not be available in legacy systems. Providers must assess their IT infrastructure to ensure they have the necessary hardware and software to meet these requirements.

Success Driver

For DSRIP to succeed, organizations must view technology not merely as a requirement but as a key driver of success. Leadership must understand that technology is not just a cost but an investment that will help DSRIP achieve its goals. Automating workflows and eliminating time-consuming manual processes through advanced technology will yield significant long-term returns that justify the initial expense.

DSRIP provides a promising pathway to better managing and reducing Medicaid costs. However, the program’s success hinges on the proper implementation and utilization of healthcare technology.

CTEKS can support your DSRIP initiatives with our healthcare technology solutions designed to enhance integrated delivery systems and support DSRIP domains. Our solutions help DSRIP PPS organizations build the foundational systems they need, driving usability and performance from administrative and support staff to doctors and nurses.

Whether it’s upgrading a communication system or modernizing a hospital’s network infrastructure, CTEKS has the experience needed across all stages of healthcare IT, from purchasing to implementation.