A reader sent a tip that the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) announced today a plan to establish a centralized database of health plan claims data.
Today, the Division will propose draft regulations to collect – in one central database – all inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and dental claims from fully-insured and self-insured health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid sources. For the first time in the state’s history, this all-payer claims database – or APCD – will offer like never-before, a broad understanding of health care costs and medical service utilization across institutions and populations.
That’s a terrific idea. I wish DHCFP luck in establishing the APCD in what is likely to be an atmosphere of contention. I hope the APCD is also made available for research and isn’t reserved for government use. Let’s keep our eye on this one.
