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The HMSA Initiative for Innovation and Quality

The HMSA Initiative for Innovation and Quality (HI-IQ), introduced in 2006, may transform health care in Hawaii by funding innovative advancements in Hawaii hospitals and providing assistance in acquiring Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems for Hawaii physicians.

HMSA is providing a total of $50 million, the largest outlay in HMSA’s history, for this effort. The hospital initiative will total $30 million, with $10 million in grants awarded each year over the next three years. The physician initiative will receive $20 million.

HMSA and our board of directors feel strongly about being a catalyst to continuously advance health care in Hawaii. The board recognizes that it takes a significant commitment of resources to make this happen. This initiative is simply a continuation of HMSA’s ongoing efforts to improve health care in Hawaii.

Impact on dues

HI-IQ is funded by a combination of investment income and reserves. It will not come from health plan dues and will not impact future dues rates.

We believe that advancements in quality and efficiency stimulated by these initiatives will result in better health care outcomes, potentially slowing rising health care costs.

Who is eligible for these grants?

All participating HMSA acute care hospitals can receive the hospital grants. Annual funding is proportionate to the amount of service the individual hospital provides to HMSA members. There are 17 hospitals currently eligible and each hospital can submit one or more project proposals in a given year. Awards will be given to those initiatives that have the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.

For EMRs, HMSA is looking to help the largest number of participating physicians possible acquire nationally certified EMR systems. Working with vendors, we hope to help more than 1,000 Hawaii physicians.

Who decides which projects will be funded?

Project proposals from participating hospitals, EMR vendors and physician groups are reviewed by a specially formed committee of senior HMSA executives.