For those of you who have been in the Colorado health care scene for a while, you may be surprised to learn that 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). The database was recommended in 2008 by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform, signed into legislation in 2010 through HB 10-1330, and implemented in 2012. In the ten years since the launch of the CO APCD, the database has grown and evolved to support the ever-changing health care landscape both locally and nationally. Before sharing more about that evolution, I want to recognize that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support and input of so many people and organizations in Colorado and beyond. To those of you who have given your knowledge, time and energy in support of this important resource, our sincere gratitude.
I’m proud to say that Colorado’s APCD is recognized as a leader in the nation for its design and the breadth and depth of information that is made available both on a public and non-public basis. CIVHC’s public reports have significantly increased health care transparency in Colorado and provided many stakeholders with information to improve care and lower costs. Our Shop for Care tool in particular has received national accolades as we are one of only a few states to provide actionable public price and quality information to consumers and providers. Our COVID-19 related data and Community Dashboard information, in addition to our numerous other publicly available analyses are helping many stakeholders and communities address immediate needs to improve the health of their population and lower costs.
We’ve also come a long way in supporting Change Agents through our non-public data release process. In the first year after launching the CO APCD, we provided non-public data and analytics to eight stakeholders seeking to advance the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs. That number has risen to significantly over 100 data fulfillments annually across state agencies, researchers, payers, providers, non-profits and others locally and nationally. We’ve also been able to reduce the cost associated with non-public releases by working with the state to develop a CO APCD Scholarship program, implementing a financial assistance program, as well as developing standard datasets and standard reports to make it easier and more cost-effective to access CO APCD information.
We know that we still have work to do to continue to make the CO APCD as robust, reliable, and actionable as possible, and this remains our number one focus. Yet, as we reflect on how far we’ve come, we’re proud of the evolution of the CO APCD and the work of the Change Agents we’ve supported throughout the years.
We’ve asked members of the health care community to provide their reflections and memories of the CO APCD from the time it was merely a recommendation through today. We’ll be sharing their perspectives and more about the journey throughout 2022.
As we embark upon this important milestone, the CIVHC team would again like to extend our sincere thanks to all of you who have shared your time and insights in support of making the CO APCD an invaluable resource, and to those of you that use the data to help make positive changes for Coloradoans. We wouldn’t be where we are today without our board, committees, and the support of so many other health care stakeholders.
Here’s to a healthy, prosperous 2022, and cheers to 10 years of transparency!