1 Department of Health Professions The Practitioner Information Project Costs, Benefits and Politics Robert A. Nebiker Deputy Director Virginia Department

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Department of Health Professions

The Practitioner Information Project

Costs, Benefits and PoliticsRobert A. Nebiker

Deputy Director

Virginia Department of Health Profession

2001 CLEAR Conference

San Antonio,Texas

September 14,2001

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Whose idea was this anyway?

Mandated by the 1998 General Assembly.Support form hospitals (focus group) and

managed care plans.Best defense is an offense.Some initial opposition from organized

medicine but, supported the bill.Based on Massachusetts project.

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What it is…Law mandates:

Medical and post graduate education Specialty board Duration in practice Practice locations/Translating services Publications Medicaid participation Disciplinary actions by Hospitals,plans,professional organizations,etc Paid claims Notices and Orders

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What it may be …..Optional Information:

Telephone numberDays of week at practice locationMaiden nameEmail AddressWebsite AddressMedicare participationTranslation services at secondary practice locationsForeign languages spoken at secondary practice locationsContinuing EducationHonors and awards

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This mandate required several administrative actions:

An appropriation $330k 1st Year ; $250k each subsequent year

Actual cash---Fee increase

Hiring of staff

Letting of a contract

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Options for Implementation

In house: Establish a professional level position.Staff out administrative positions.Make major systems modifications.

Out source:Data collectionCall centerEntire range of needed services including systems

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Cost Saving- Web Based Entry:• Cost per 100-Data entry by staff…..$260

• Cost per 100- Web/Client entry….$-0-

• Number entered on line…..22,897 (80%)

• Cost of Web site development..$23,000

• Estimated Savings………$36,540

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Web Advantages….100,000,000 data entry portals24/7 availabilityImmediate completion resolutionFixes responsibility on reporting

physicianNo paperNo mailing

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What are the benefits ?On line (and mail/fax back) access to self reported

and limited verified information to 30,000 +Ability to search by:

Name Specialty Locality Hospital

97,000 Sessions in 6 weeks (3,068,625 page views)

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We are for it !!!(Sometimes)

InsurersHospitalsConsumersElected OfficialsOpen Records advocatesPressMedical SocietyLocal (County) Medical Societies

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Second Thoughts….1999 medical society:

The whole undertaking

2000 northern Virginia medical groups: Malpractice on the net

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Third Thoughts…Senate Bill 10 in the July 2001 Special SessionMade no mention of the Internet/WebSeems to limit kinds of Orders:

Revocation-OKReprimand-OKFine-NoViolation/No sanction-NoReinstatement-No

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Third thoughts…..Senate Bill 10

Made no mention of the Internet/WebMade no mention of NoticesProvided access to “reports or complaints

of misconduct that have not resulted in any disciplinary action or proceeding”

149 Licensees with Notices/Orders per year1700 with dismissed cases

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Where we are….

Web site is up and the call center is operational

Notices and Orders are available10/06/2001

We have denied requests for over 300 unfounded complaints

Press is active…..

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Where we heading….

SB 59 Pre-filed for the 2002 General Assembly will undo SB 10 as an emergency and makes several technical changes

Less than accurate reporting by physicians . Five such physicians we the subject of Washington Post article. Picked up by other media.

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www.vahealthprovider.com

Call: 804-643-4337

Fax:804-643-5375

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Documents

1 Department of Health Professions The Practitioner Information Project Costs, Benefits and Politics Robert A. Nebiker Deputy Director Virginia Department