Idaho selects Thomson Healthcare for Medicaid IT initiative

The state of Idaho has awarded a multi-year contract to Thomson Healthcare to provide a healthcare decision support system and data warehouse (DSS/DW) for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, as part of the state's efforts to modernize its Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS).

The DSS/DW will improve the department's ability to manage and mine data from 9 million healthcare claims submitted to the state Medicaid program each year, according to the Stamford, Conn.-based Thomson.

The Department of Health and Welfare will use analytic and reporting capabilities of the Thomson Healthcare DSS/DW to strengthen management of Medicaid programs, measure cost effectiveness and quality of care, forecast budgets and fulfill federal management and administrative reporting requirements.

Thomas said the system will generate information that supports program planning and evaluation, financial reporting, healthcare utilization management, Medicaid eligibility analysis, actuarial rate setting, and other functions. It will also serve as the department's surveillance and utilization review system, which is mandated for every state Medicaid program by the federal government to help detect healthcare fraud and abuse.

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