Championing Improved Care Coordination for Missourians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through eLTSS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) are leading a crucial initiative: the electronic Long-Term Services and Supports (eLTSS). Launched in 2014, this program aims to create a standardized, digital format for care plans. This standardization will significantly improve care coordination for individuals receiving home and community-based Long-Term Services and Supports (HCBS), especially those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Velatura at the Forefront of Missouri's eLTSS Implementation

In 2022, the Missouri Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities received funding through the ONC Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in HealthIT to implement the HL7 eLTSS FHIR IG and data set. Velatura is playing a pivotal role in this project, leveraging its expertise to improve healthcare delivery for Missourians with IDD. Here's how Velatura is making a difference:

• Building a Centralized Data Hub: Velatura has been instrumental in establishing a Health Data Utility (HDU) in Missouri that acts as a central repository for current, person-centered care plan data. This secure system ensures all authorized stakeholders have access to critical information.
• Facilitating Data Exchange: Missouri's Health Information Networks (HINs), including Velatura HIE Corporation, Lewis and Clark Information Exchange (LACIE-HIE), and the Tiger Institute for Health Innovation, play a crucial role in facilitating data exchange in Missouri. These networks allow seamless data flow between hospitals, clinics, and HCBS providers. This collaborative effort ensures all parties involved have a comprehensive view of each patient's care plan.
• Empowering Care Providers with the Right Tools: Velatura recognized the need for a user-friendly platform for accessing and utilizing eLTSS data. Through careful selection, they selected the 4Medica Clinical Viewer. This viewer seamlessly integrates with Velatura's existing technology stack and offers an EMR-like interface, making it familiar and efficient for healthcare professionals.

Taking a Step Forward: The Phase 1 Testing Event

As part of the testing and planning phase, Velatura recently participated in the Missouri Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities eLTSS Phase 1 testing event. This event focused on two key objectives:

• Querying Care Plan Data: Demonstrating the ability for intermediary systems to retrieve care plan data from the state’s FHIR enabled data warehouse using a standardized FHIR R4 application programming interface (API).
• Data Ingestion and Availability: Evaluating how effectively care providers and other stakeholders can ingest and utilize eLTSS data within their systems and include mapping of the new eLTSS data set into a user-friendly Care Plan.

Velatura's successful completion of Phase 1 testing signifies a significant step forward in Missouri's eLTSS implementation. Velatura's active participation in testing ensures a robust and user-friendly system for all stakeholders.

Benefits for Patients and Caregivers:

By spearheading these efforts, Velatura is helping Missouri achieve several key goals:

• Improved Care Coordination: With readily available, centralized care plans, communication and collaboration between providers is significantly enhanced. This translates to a more coordinated and efficient care experience for patients.
• Addressing Social Needs: eLTSS data can encompass social factors that impact a patient's well-being. By incorporating this information, care plans can address not just medical needs but also social determinants of health.
• Empowered Caregivers and Providers: Secure and user-friendly access to current care plan data empowers both caregivers and providers to make informed decisions and deliver the best possible care.

The Road Ahead

Velatura's involvement in Missouri's eLTSS project signifies its unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access and coordination for all Missouri residents, including individuals with IDD. The successful completion of Phase 1 testing paves the way for continued progress. With Velatura's continued leadership and collaboration with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Missouri's HINs, the eLTSS implementation in Missouri has the potential to revolutionize care delivery, ensuring a more holistic and efficient system for Missourians with IDD.