DHCFP seeks data advisors

The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy is about to appoint people to a very important advisory group, the mellifluously entitled "Data Release Committee for the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD)." You may recall my post about this data base.  It comprises medical claims, dental claims, pharmacy claims, and information from member eligibility files, provider files, and product files. It includes fully-insured, self-insured, Medicare, and Medicaid data and clear definitions of insurance coverage (covered services, group size, premiums, co-pays, deductibles) and carrier-supplied provider directories. Its collection is potentially one of the most important acts by the Massachusetts state government, but only if the data collected are made broadly available.

DHCFP Commissioner Áron Boros is seeking nominations for this advisory body.  Here's a reprint of the solicitation:

The work of the Data Release Committee will be guided by regulation 114.5 CMR 22.00: Health Care Claims Data Release, which governs the procedures and criteria by which DHCFP will grant access to qualified applicants for the APCD. The Data Release Committee will implement these regulations by advising the Commissioner on both general best practices regarding claims data release and the determinations regarding individual data release applications. The Data Release Committee is expected to meet 1-2 hours a month; Committee members will be expected to contribute additional time outside the meetings to support the functions of the Committee.

Each nomination should include:

• Date
• Nominee's:

• Name
• Position and Affiliation
• Statement of Interest
• Resume/CV

• Recommendation from an unaffiliated individual
• Participation Role of Nominee (Please choose from Provider, Health Care Plan, Consumer, Health Data or Privacy Attorney, Quality Improvement Organization, Researcher, or Employer)

Please submit your nomination to Christina Wu, Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, Two Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, or by email to Christina.Wu2@MassMail.State.MA.US no later than close of business Monday, April 9, 2012.