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.