OeHI Releases Request for Information (RFI) for Surprise Billing, Explanation of Benefits
DENVER - The Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care (OSPMHC), and the eHealth Commission have released a Request For Information (RFI) with the purpose of collecting input on innovative solutions and services for reducing confusion and frustration around surprise medical billing, understanding explanations of benefits (EOBs), and accessing state benefits and community programs. This effort is fundamental in advancing Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Primavera’s priorities to improve access to care by reducing health care costs for Coloradans.
"Our administration hears constantly from individuals and families across the state about the difficulties of paying medical bills, affording insurance, and accessing the benefits and programs they are eligible for,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. “To better understand the challenges Coloradans face, we are conducting a survey to help us learn about the tools, services, and innovations that exist to support our efforts in lowering health care costs. These insights will help us innovate and improve access to quality, affordable health care.”
According to a recent Healthcare Consumer Study, a third of U.S. health care consumers have had a medical bill go to collections. As other industries have modernized consumer engagement and data sharing platforms, Coloradans are rightly demanding more transparency and clarity regarding their health care services and costs. This RFI is a key component of the work undertaken as part of the Colorado Health IT Roadmap, specifically the “Promote and Enable Consumer Engagement, Empowerment, and Health Literacy Initiative,” which will develop and implement tools to educate, engage, and empower consumers in their health and well being. The State’s Health IT investments are the result of ongoing, extensive public and private collaboration. The focus for this RFI is to understand what solutions and services exist to prevent and address surprise medical billing, help individuals understand EOBs, and help individuals access state benefits and community resources in a timely and coordinated manner.
The RFI was officially released on February 19, and will remain open for response until March 3 through the Colorado Vendor Self Service Purchasing and Bid Information Website. The RFI can also be completed via an online survey. Technology vendors, professional service vendors, and community and consumer advocate groups are encouraged to respond.
Potential respondents can attend an informational webinar on February 21 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm to introduce the consumer engagement initiative, RFI, and objectives. Dial-in information for the webinar is as follows:
1-408-638-0968
3037850001#
Details of the RFI will be used to inform project requirements and upcoming events. RFI Respondents may be invited to meet with OeHI, the eHealth Commission, and State leadership to share and expand on ideas that could help support the administration’s goals for consumer engagement to improve care and reduce costs for health care.
Click here to complete the survey. Responses are due by March 3.
To learn more about Colorado’s Health IT Roadmap, visit the Office of eHealth Innovation.
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