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MENTAL HEALTH & DADS CONTRACTOR EHR PLANNING MEETING. May 25, 2011. EHR Planning Session #1 Early Planning. EHR Planning Session #1. Information for those that are in the early stages of planning. This session will cover Where do you begin? Technical Considerations
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MENTAL HEALTH & DADS CONTRACTOR EHR PLANNING MEETING May 25, 2011
EHR Planning Session #1 Early Planning
EHR Planning Session #1 • Information for those that are in the early stages of planning. • This session will cover • Where do you begin? • Technical Considerations • Vendor Demo and Evaluations • Vendor Comparison • Costs
Where Do You Begin?
Where do you begin? • What’s Needed to Get Started? • Start talking about the EHR as a positive change • Prepare staff for changes • Pull Your Team Together • Pick a driver (Agree on the driver) • Include varying disciplines • Set up ongoing meetings • Create realistic timelines
Readiness Assessment • Go through the assessment as a team • Take note where the team does not agree • Recognize areas of need and follow up • Refer back regularly • Track change
Workflow and Needs • Track how a client moves through the system • Receiving Referral • Treatment • Billing/Payment • Discharge • You want to recognize where the system fails and succeeds • This will help you identify where an EHR may provide improved efficiency, accuracy and better client care You want a tool that works for you. You don’t want to work for the tool
Internal Capabilities • What shape is your IT Department in? • Do you have an IT Department? • Who will own the EHR system internally? • Program or Support? • Do you currently have some sort of an EHR system? • What is the reputation of the existing system?
Technology Assessment • Do you feel the need for speed? • Cable, T1, Ethernet ready? • Who is in charge? • Do you have someone identified to be primary interface? • Spread the love • Test and Validate with several sets of eyes
Technology Assessment • Does Staff know what a computer is? • Training capabilities • Does Staff have the time? • Redesign workflow • Implement the system • Validate results • Repeat
Budget Considerations • Comprehensive Cost Estimate • Cost of System or Licensing Fees • 3rd Party Products and Services • Annual Support • Implementation Services Cost • Hardware • Internal Staff • Project Manager • Systems Analyst • Database Administrator / Trainer
Budget Considerations • Comprehensive Cost Estimate (continued) • External Consultants • Lost Productivity • Before, During and After Initial Implementation • Custom Programming Fees • Scalability • Adding users in the future • Security
Buy v. Rent • Buy • Internally Hosted on Your Server • Higher Upfront Costs • Nominal Recurring Costs • Rent • ASP (Application Service Provider) • SaS (Software as a Service) • Remotely Hosted via Internet • Low Upfront Costs • Continuous Recurring Costs
Buy v. Rent • Buy • Not Internet Reliant • Quicker Response / Access Time • Capital Expenditure v. Operating Costs • Data control • Rent • Access from any place with Internet access • Nominal worries about backups, updates, etc. • Upgrades usually built into monthly charge • Less maintenance / IT dependant
Costs & Vendor Negotiations
Vendor Comparison • Begin process immediately: • Map existing processes • Outline changes to improve workflow • Identify problem areas – include staffing • Do above in parallel while evaluating vendors – don’t wait! • Utilize a collaborative process • Include clinical and business management and staff • Don’t under change Business needs • Most systems support clinic needs well and “tack on” the business end • Most systems written for counties – how do they insurance claiming, handle private pay, group billing, etc.?
Pay-As-You-Go (ASP) Arrangement • Pay set annual amount based on system total cost • Includes all license fees, installation, and ongoing maintenance costs • For the equivalent system detailed above, the annual total is $110K, • Therefore, over 6 years, the total cost is roughly the same – ignoring the time cost of money • The annual obligation continues indefinitely
Vendor Negotiations • Approach as entering into a long-term partnership – not vendor/customer • One-sided deals don’t work • Decide early on what elements are most important to the vendor, and which you can push them for concessions • Always have the unseen party who makes decisions for your agency • Make it clear that you will be an active participant in vendors user group
Contract Negotiation Considerations • Ensure that Vendor warranty covers all product, including third party components • Any Customizations are covered by same warranty, and do not add to maintenance charge after completion • Negotiate a 2-3 year price freeze for other products not purchased • Include the right to interview the vendor’s proposed project manager & eliminate travel-time charge • Negotiate the delay of onset of maintenance portion after “go-live” • Completely define levels of help-desk, and priority response times – any hours available • Include a provision requiring support of prior release(s) of product
Contract Negotiation Considerations • No charge for subsequent updates and improvements, including enhancements developed in response to user-groups • Yearly, vendor will provide a list of all known product problems, bugs, etc. • Set a limit for any increases to the annual maintenance contract cost • Set the hourly installation and consultation cost for a period to avoid cost increases • Require that all software source code be placed in an escrow account to mitigate problems from any business failure of vendor • Include the right to use software in the event of bankruptcy of vendor
Contract Negotiation Considerations • Ensure Compliance with Federal, State and Local Requirements: • Licensed Programs will comply with the provisions set forth in the California State Department of Mental Health Letter No. 08-10 as it pertains to electronic signatures. Vendor further warrants that the Licensed Products meet the current and will continue to meet the future compliance standards set by the State of California and/or the applicable County and Federal regulatory requirements for electronic signature and electronic health record, such that Licensee will be in compliance with MediCal/Medicare recordkeeping and billing requirements.
After The Contract Is Signed • Interview vendor’s proposed project team • Set quick deadline for vendor’s timeline/project management plan presentation • Deliver any specifications for customization • Appoint a project manager who has responsibility and authority to get the implementation done • Appoint a cross-agency group to get the job done • Set sub-workgroups up from clinical, intake, business office areas – meet frequently • Be honest with yourselves