Michigan Implements Executive Information System to Enhance Management of Healthcare Services; System Will Help Measure Effectiveness of Programs, Detect Fraud and Abuse.

Business & Health/Medical Editors

LANSING, Mich.--(BW HealthWire)--May 1, 2001

Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced the Department has contracted for an executive information system that will dramatically enhance the way the state manages healthcare services.

The new system will provide the department with the tools and information to better analyze and measure the effectiveness of programs, more readily detect fraud and overlapping coverage and improve the overall financial management of major programs such as Medicaid. The system will also enable the Department to provide timely, accurate, and meaningful executive-level reports to lawmakers and taxpayers explaining the overall performance of some of the state's largest programs.

"Michigan has been a leader in implementing information technology solutions to improve service levels to clients and accountability to taxpayers," said Haveman. "This new system is part of a commitment we've made to improve our overall performance, deliver services where and when they're needed most, and ensure that taxpayers are getting the best possible return on their investment."

Once it is fully implemented, the new system, an Executive Information & Decision Support System, will enable the Department to quickly access and analyze raw data from different computer platforms and applications stored in a data warehouse, and convert it into compelling information for high-level management decision-making. The system was designed and implemented by Bull Information Systems, headquartered in Billerica, Mass., and its subcontractor, The MEDSTAT Group, located in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Professionals across the department will be able to use this information to assist them in making a variety of policy decisions. Managers will be able to view summary information to identify where program changes might be necessary; policy and budget analysts will be able to analyze data to see how Michigan compares to other states; and managed care specialists will be able to use the system to measure the performance of health plans.

Moreover, because many recipients of one Department of Community Health-managed program often receive services from other Department programs, the integrated Executive Information/Decision Support system will give agency staff members a complete and broad overview of services that individuals or groups are receiving. In addition to Medicaid, the Department provides a variety of services through programs such as: the Woman, Infant, Children Supplemental Nutrition Program the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry, the Community Mental Health Programs, the Maternal and Infant Health Advocacy Program, the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, and Lead Screening programs.

"This new system will make it easier for us to analyze the existing information, which will assist us in forecasting costs, evaluating programs and improving services," said Haveman. The new system will also assist the Department in more accurately predicting how potential changes in one program would affect another, or how legislative changes would impact the cost and service level of particular programs.

Bull was responsible for overall project management and providing systems integration services for the system and designed and implemented the data warehouse that forms the backbone for the system. MEDSTAT provided its leading edge MEDSTAT Advantage Suite(R) decision support system which provides advanced healthcare analytic methodologies and desktop reporting applications to improve the value of the data for management decision making.

"We're proud to be partners with the Department of Community Health and MEDSTAT in implementing this solution," said Jack Ginsburg, vice president of Bull's Public Sector Business Unit. "It's another example of the State of Michigan taking the lead in utilizing technology to better serve its citizens."

Bull Information Systems has been a leading provider of public sector information solutions for more than 35 years. Currently, the company is focusing on providing solutions, services and enabling technologies designed to help implement e-Government for citizen services. The company combines these best-of-breed technologies and services with strategic partnerships, strong subject matter expertise, and a proven track record to deliver complete strategic solutions. Worldwide, the public sector market accounts for about 45 percent of Bull's revenue.

The MEDSTAT Group (www.medstat.com) is a health information company that provides decision support systems, market intelligence, benchmark databases, and research for managing the purchase, administration, and delivery of health services and benefits. It serves more than 1,000 organizations including many of the nation's leading employers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, government organizations, and health plans and insurance companies. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., MEDSTAT has a 20-year track record of delivering results for customers through innovative products, superior customer service, and outstanding people. MEDSTAT is part of The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), a global e-information and solutions company in the business and professional marketplace with 2000 revenues of approximately US$6.0 billion. The company's common shares are listed on the Toronto and London stock exchanges (TSE:TOC).