09/23/2019

State departments leverage $1 million in federal funds to advance patient care improvements, continue health systems integrations

Funding will continue providing practitioners critical analytics to assist Michigan patients.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 13, 2019    

MDHHS CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov 

LARA CONTACT: Jason Moon, 517-335-5272, moonj@michigan.gov

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) have partnered to leverage more than $1 million in federal funds to continue the statewide integration of electronic health record systems and pharmacy dispensation systems with the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS).

“Every Michigander deserves quality, efficient care, and using this funding to upgrade technology will take us one step closer to reaching that goal,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This funding will help us fight the opioid epidemic that has devastated families across the state and ensure our health care providers have the resources and information they need to better serve their patients. I look forward to working with these departments to help Michiganders across the state access the care they need.”

The integrations project initially started in June 2017, however, its funding was slated to end Aug. 31, 2019.  With additional grant funding, continued commitment from MDHHS and ongoing collaboration with LARA, this project will be extended through Aug. 31, 2020. 

The $1 million in federal funding received by MDHHS will allow LARA, which administers MAPS, to continue ongoing integrations and any new integrations for Michigan health systems, physician groups and pharmacies. The process is simple; facilities that have a fully executed service agreement with LARA will be asked to sign an addendum to extend the agreement through Aug. 31, 2020.  For providers who have yet to be integrated, the same process for integrations will be applied, which is outlined at Michigan.gov/mimapsinfo.

“Our department is pleased to partner with LARA and the healthcare community to put this new funding towards such a valuable and worthy effort,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “We understand the importance of building strong partnerships that ensure the health, safety and welfare of all Michiganders. The collaboration supporting this project is an excellent example of just that.”

Integrating electronic health record systems and pharmacy dispensation systems with MAPS provides prescribers and dispensers with cutting-edge resources, including:

• A seamless, single click connection into the new system’s platform where users access one system and avoid multiple logins.
• A merging of users’ clinical workflow utilizing Appriss’ NarxCare, a robust analytics tool and care management program that automatically analyzes MAPS data and a patient’s health history, and provides an interactive visualization of usage patterns to help identify potential risk factors.
• Tools to increase access to treatment, increase patient engagement, and enable care coordination.
• A more efficient process that saves users valuable time and resources.

“Integration of MAPS into the electronic health records and pharmacy dispensation systems of hospitals, physician groups and pharmacies makes our state-of-the-art system even easier to use,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “We appreciate the continued collaboration with MDHHS where both departments recognize the importance of continued funding for the statewide integrations efforts that allow practitioners to better serve Michigan patients.”

To date, more than 49,000 prescribers and 3,500 pharmacists affiliated with health systems, hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies are integrated with the MAPS. This includes more than 100 hospitals, 2,700 provider offices, and 500 pharmacies.

Health systems currently integrated include Ascension, Bronson Healthcare, Covenant Healthcare, Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Health Care, Michigan Medicine, Munson Healthcare, Sparrow Health System, Spectrum Health, Trinity Health and William Beaumont. 

“The Michigan Health & Hospital Association and our member hospitals appreciate the partnership of both MDHHS and LARA on MAPS integration and funding,” said Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters. “This one-year extension of financial support for system integration will assist providers in providing care safely and efficiently, and allow them to quickly assess their patients before prescribing a controlled substance or opioid prescription.”

MAPS launched in April 2017 and integrations began shortly after. Since then queries from MAPS users have increased from under 400,000 per month to nearly 1.4 million this July.

The new federal funding will provide for new and continued integration for health systems and providers. Financial support for MAPS integration had previously been provided through prior federal grants and appropriated funding.

Providers and health systems interested in applying for continued or new MAPS integration can do so online. For more information on MAPS, visit Michigan.gov/mimapsinfo.

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MAPS Grant Press Release.pdf