For one thing, we're not the target demographic for the health data economy. For another, people increasingly want the healthcare system to work the way everything else does which increasingly means controlling their own data. Most importantly, it's now being baked into federal regulations and, simultaneously, both big tech and the government (mainly in the form of state legislatures) are asserting consumer control and ownership of their individually identifiable information - health and otherwise.
Take Apple's new privacy changes, which the technology giant rolled out this spring. IOS 14.5 requires apps to ask users if they want to be tracked. Many users have opted out of tracking by popular apps, including Facebook and Snapchat. As a result, those apps are getting less data on consumers' habits and interests, depriving ecommerce and tech companies (including Facebook and Snap) of the information they need to make money on personalized ads.Despite the outcry from social media companies, Apple's change has been well received by consumers, particularly in the US. According to mobile app analytics provider Flurry, only 16% of US users allow apps to track them when given the option to prevent it from Apple. The outrage over mismanaged data driving this choice is legitimate and has generated legitimate cries for change, but it's also caused a shared schadenfreude among lawmakers, regulators, and privacy activists as they watch social media companies, especially Facebook, face multiple legal and legislative challenges worldwide. While enjoying anyone else's misfortunes is not typically admirable, it is clearly a factor feeding the ongoing changes to data usage, privacy, and ownership we're now experiencing.
Numerous bills at the state legislative level - both passed and pending - are increasing consumer protections against unfair or misleading data use practices, some of which give consumers direct control over their data. Some of them include:So, I need not fear being the banner-waving idealist for the health data consumer. No one would notice me among the crowd.
Denny Brennan, Executive Director
Please let us know what you think of our newsletter at newsletter@mahealthdata.org and look for our next issue. Thank you for your continued support and participation!
MHDC EventsMeetings this month:
Want to learn more about any of these meetings? Email info@mahealthdata.org
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MHDC WebinarsJoin us for our upcoming webinar: Community Care Cooperative’s Journey presented by Christina Severin of Community Care Cooperative on November 2 from 10am-12pm. Missed any of our webinars in 2021? Click here to see what you've missed! Interested in holding an MHDC webinar or have an interesting topic you'd like to present? Contact us at webinars@mahealthdata.org |
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NEHEN Update
Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA) InitiativeThis project is a prototype implementation that automates prior authorization transactions using the industry standard, open platform methods developed by the HL7 DaVinci Prior Authorization workgroup. This project will be compliant with the three related implementation guides which utilize open, FHIR based API exchange methods. This will allow each payer and each provider to implement a single prior authorization process and format for exchange so long as all of their exchange partners adhere to the same standards. Working through the details of the participation agreement with the payer and provider participants has been an ongoing process and we are truly in the last steps of that work. Once completed, we have an engaged and ready technology partner and exciting participant members to get us up and going quickly. Taking a slightly broader perspective, MHDC and NEHEN are working with NEHI (Network for Excellence in Health Innovation) on recommendations, barriers, and incentives for the broader adoption of electronic (automated) prior authorization. Massachusetts has always been a leader in health innovation and adoption of technologies to advance healthcare. As CMS and ONC rules are promulgated and finalized we hope to continue this trend and stay well ahead of the industry as a whole. Prior authorization remains one of the few areas yet to be automated in a significant way throughout the industry. This is the opportune time to take that step and MHDC is committed to making it happen. For more information email us at epa@mahealthdata.org. |
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Industry Events
Interested in webinars and online conferences through November? Here are some we recommend (they're free unless otherwise noted):
Have an upcoming event next month to suggest? Write us at newsletter@mahealthdata.org - no self-promotion please. |
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2021 WEDI National Conference
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Native American Heritage MonthNative American Heritage Month started as American Indian Day in NYC in 1916. Like many minority groups, Native Americans and other indigenous people have been hit hard during the pandemic and encounter other health equity issues and health disparities. You can learn more about some of their specific concerns at the following pages:
You may also want to explore Indigenous perspectives on the pandemic and climate change at this Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health webinar on Nov 17 at 12pm: And learn more about the Native American medical school experience at this American University of the Caribbean webinar on Nov 11 at 6pm: |
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Wrapping UpBefore we go, here's a reminder of upcoming data exchange deadlines from ONC and CMS (including the CMS rule that's currently frozen, as noted by *):And that's it, folks. Loved it? Hated it? Have an idea for next time? Send us feedback and suggestions about this newsletter at newsletter@mahealthdata.org or send us feedback and suggestions about anything else at info@mahealthdata.org.
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