2024 IHA Stakeholders’ Series

JULY 2024

Symphony Newsletter

The Symphony Provider Directory is an advanced, cloud-based platform uniting California health plans and providers around a centralized solution to improve the efficiency, quality, and ease of provider directory data. Read on to learn about our 2024 initiatives along with important regulatory updates.

Symphony's role as California's statewide provider directory cited in case study 

A report published by the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) examines how states can improve provider data accuracy by leveraging a centralized provider directory such as Symphony. 

Provider directories are an important tool for patients, plans, and providers alike. When these directories are inaccurate, it can make it harder for patients to find care, expose health plans to fines from regulatory agencies, and cause delays in provider reimbursement.  

To learn how states can improve provider data accuracy using a centralized directory, RTI International conducted a study for the ASPE at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The study examines Symphony's role as California's statewide provider directory in a case study and shares the following lessons:  

• Clear, widely agreed-upon data standards are critical to success 
• An implementation strategy must prioritize provider participation 
• Inclusive governance structures like Symphony's build trust across stakeholders 

Regulatory news: AB 236 moves forward  

On June 26, AB 236 passed out of the Senate Health Committee with a 9-1 vote. AB 236 would require health plans and insurers to annually audit and delete inaccurate listings from their provider directories. The bill would also tie existing requirements to accuracy benchmarks and associated penalties. For more information, check out this fact sheet from Health Access: AB 236: Ensuring Accurate Health Plan Provider Directories.  

Next, it will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee in August for fiscal impact. Symphony is monitoring the bill’s progress and providing support to legislative stakeholders as needed, sharing our experience with data quality and the importance of a central utility.  

Increasing provider engagement for improved data quality and exchange 

Currently, 80,000 California providers actively submit data to Symphony. This includes 4 contracted provider organizations and thousands of providers attesting through Availity PDM. Throughout the second half of 2024, we will be focused on further increasing provider participation and engagement in our platform. This will continue to streamline the entire provider data sharing process while improving data quality and accuracy. Key activities for increasing provider engagement for 2024 include: 

• Accelerating provider organization implementations
• Optimizing Availity PDM to make it easier for providers to attest 
• Launching provider engagement and education campaigns  

IHA News and Events 

ICYMI: IHA’s Healthcare Policy Pulse Webinar 

Did you catch our Healthcare Policy Pulse webinar on June 27? Our speakers highlighted timely updates to the California State Budget as well as key healthcare legislation, including an update on Senate Bill 236. The webinar also featured a wide-ranging discussion on the healthcare quality and equity landscape in California. If you missed the event, the recording and slides are available here. 

Upcoming: Q3 Data Governance Committee  

The Q3 Data Governance Committee (DGC) will be held on August 29, 2024. The DGC, comprised of representatives from health plans and provider organizations, advises and develops recommendations for data standards, compliance requirements, and product roadmap enhancements.  

CAHP Conference: October 21-23, 2024  

IHA will be at CAHP this fall! Check out the details and register here to connect with us at the conference.