Data Release
I’ve seen the data available on this site, how can my organization get more detailed reports from the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017The Data Release Process page of our website outlines the process for requesting data from the CO APCD and includes resources such as the Data Release Application and contact information to help guide you in the process.
Who decides who can get information from the CO APCD? What rules do they use?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017The CO APCD governance rules promulgated by the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance (HCPF) require that the Data Release Review Committee (DRRC) develop protocols for the release of CO APCD data. The DRRC is comprised of health care data and analytical experts representing a variety of organizations and stakeholder...
Could a company get a report from the CO APCD identifying all the people in a given zip code who have a certain diagnosis or have been prescribed a certain drug?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017There is no circumstance we can envision in which a company could obtain this data without first directly obtaining patient authorization to do so. The company would then have to meet all other data release requirements including showing how this information would improve health, care or lower costs. Similar to...
What kind of information can organizations get from the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017By rule, CIVHC is permitted to provide or “release” data at varying levels of detail and specificity. All releases of CO APCD data must meet all HIPAA privacy and security guidelines and are subject to DRRC review and advisement, which requires that the intended use support reaching the Triple Aim of better...
Are there limitations on the data that organizations can get from the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Yes, CO APCD data releases are subject to both HIPAA restrictions and state legal and regulatory restrictions to protect privacy: In keeping with the “minimum necessary” standard established under HIPAA, applicants must demonstrate need and provide justification for each data element requested. The DRRC will recommend and CIVHC will release...
What information is required in order to submit a data request?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017According to both CO APCD statute and HCPF rules, all data release applications must be submitted in writing and describe in detail: The purpose of the project and intended use of the data. Methodologies to be employed. Type of data and specific data elements requested along with justification. Qualifications of...
What kind of organizations can get information from the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Both public and private entities may receive CO APCD data subject to approval of their request by the DRRC. Organizations that have requested information from the CO APCD so far include university researchers, non-profit organizations, health plans, providers, divisions of Colorado state government and private firms developing new pricing models for...
What can CO APCD data be used for? Are there any restrictions on the purposes for which it may be used?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Data requests may only be used to inform projects or support programs that support the achievement of one or more of the categories of the Triple Aim for Colorado: better population health, better quality of care and patient experience, and lower cost of health care. Data cannot be used to directly...
Can an organization charge others for information it gets from the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Under an approved request, use of the released data is limited to the specific purpose as described in the original application. Further use of the data for a purpose not reflected in the original application would require a new request that fully complies with the privacy and security requirements of...
Is there any circumstance in which a private company or individual could get personal, identifiable health information out of the CO APCD?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017HIPAA allows the release of certain, limited data fields for very narrow purposes: public health activity, health care operations, and research activity. The DRRC reviews every request for CO APCD data reports to ensure that no information is released that goes beyond HIPAA rules and CIVHC denies any request for data or...
What happens if an entity misuses CO APCD data or uses it for a purpose other than that for which the entity applied?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017An approved requestor must sign and enter into a Data Use Agreement or contract with CIVHC and agree to the following: Restrictions on data disclosure and prohibitions on re-release of the data. Prior approval from CIVHC subject to DRRC guidelines is required to publicly release any reports based on the...
Why is there a fee associated with CO APCD data?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017The State of Colorado mandated the creation of the CO APCD and did not appropriate any tax payer dollars for this resource. CIVHC is partially funded by foundation grants and in order to be sustainable and operational, CIVHC releases non-public data to recoup costs in support of maintaining this valuable...
What is a data access fee and what is included in a non-public release?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017CIVHC does an analysis of each request based on the specific scope and requirements for the project. CIVHC provides the data files and/or detailed analysis and reporting based on the amount of data, complexity of data matching, analysis and reporting, report customization, planned updates, and other items. The fulfillment includes the following...
Do the fees associated with a data request differ by the type of requesting organization?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Yes. CIVHC has a tiered fee structure for different types of organizations. These include: hospitals, health plans, physician groups, non-profit agencies, commercial enterprise groups, and academic/research institutions. In addition, funding is available for a limited time for state agencies and any non-profit or researcher with annual revenues of $5 million...
Do you offer discounts or waivers?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017No, we do not offer discounts or waivers.
Is the data access fee the same for subsequent data pulls?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Since a query is written in the first data pull, the data access fee associated with each subsequent data pull typically decreases.
Will I need to sign a contract?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Yes, once an application is submitted and reviewed by CIVHC, a contract is sent outlining the data access fee and terms of the agreement. Once this contract is signed and a formal application is received and approved, the data fulfillment process can begin.
How do I pay for the data?
Last Updated: August 11, 2017Within 2 weeks of the data request being approved, CIVHC will invoice for the data access fee. Payment is required within 30 days of the date of the invoice.