SUPLN Webinar Explores the Uses of FAIR Health Data for State Public Health

June 21, 2018

A webinar sponsored by the State-University Partnership Learning Network (SUPLN) introduced FAIR Health and our data resources to state public health officials and university researchers in 23 states across the nation. The webinar, which was held on May 24, 2018, featured a presentation by FAIR Health Chief Information Officer Ali Russo and General Counsel Michelle Scott. Ms. Scott and Ms. Russo explained how FAIR Health data can support state public health initiatives and academic research on state health issues and policies.

Initiated by AcademyHealth in 2014, SUPLN is a learning community of state governmental entities and their state university research partners. SUPLN promotes the use of evidence-based health policy research to inform state policy and agency practice, with a focus on transforming Medicaid-based healthcare.

Ms. Scott noted that FAIR Health, with our unparalleled data, tools, analytic resources and capabilities, is an invaluable resource for policy makers and researchers. The FAIR Health database of over 26 billion private healthcare insurance claims is the largest repository of its kind in the country. FAIR Health data can be used for a wide variety of applications, including management and operational support, fee schedule development and reimbursement, public health and consumer engagement, as well as policy and research.

In her portion of the presentation, Ms. Russo illuminated the ability of FAIR Health to produce varied custom analytics, highlighting our work with various state agencies, research institutes and policy-oriented organizations. For example, FAIR Health has helped states evaluate innovative primary care models against the backdrop of various quality measures such as readmission rates and emergency room utilization. FAIR Health has also helped states evaluate the integrity of Medicaid encounter data through detailed examination of relevant claim edits.

AcademyHealth sponsored the SUPLN event as part of its efforts to advance health services research by acting as an objective broker of information. It brings together stakeholders to address the current and future needs of the evolving health system, inform health policy and translate evidence into action.

As part of our mission to promote healthcare research, FAIR Health enters into institutional collaborations with membership organizations such as AcademyHealth. Such collaborations provide opportunities for institutional members to license FAIR Health’s data resources at a discount.

For more information on FAIR Health resources or institutional collaborations with FAIR Health, contact us by email at info@fairhealth.org or call us at 855-301-3247, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm ET.