Healthier Medicaid Members through Applied Technology - West Virginia

In 2007, 27 states received Medicaid Transformation Grants under Section 6081 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The grants were rewarded to states that proposed innovative methods which in the end of the two years are designed to produce better health outcomes at lower cost.

The Center for Health Transformation is highlighting states that have received these Medicaid Transformation Grants, and will be following their progress for the next two years. In order for key decisionmakers and industry leaders from around the country to learn from others’ successes, it is our intention to provide this resource in order to showcase innovative practices from across the nation. In the future, this site will be interactive, allowing program directors to submit updates and comments regarding their program.

Click here for the complete grant application >>

Healthier Medicaid Members through Applied Technology will transform the current fragmented, disjointed system to a member-managed, integrated, pro-active system. The initiative will transition the health records of 251,000 Medicaid members from paper to electronic format including the integration of information on healthy lifestyles, health status and risk, disease self-management, and proper use of available health resources. Health records will be liked through an interoperable system that protects privacy as it connects patients, providers, and payers, resulting in fewer medical mistakes, less hassle, lower costs, and better health. Integrated and electronically connected health care teams will use integrated clinical reminders, patient education and risk stratification tools to help Medicaid members meet personal responsibility guidelines and health self-management goals. Utilization of electronic health management will assist in tracking over and under utilization of health care services and permit a more thorough and timely evaluation of health outcomes.

The West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services is requesting $1,766,280 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support Healthier Medicaid Members through Applied Technology. This initiative will build on the current electronic health management efforts to advance the broad adoption of electronic health information technology. The use of electronic information technology will integrate the current health delivery system and will improve the quality of care while reducing cost.