MINUTES 

MAINE HEALTH DATA ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SENATOR INN, AUGUSTA, MAINE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2003

The meeting of the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) Board of Directors 
began at 9:20 a.m. immediately following hearings on Chapter 125 and Chapter 120.  Board members present were:  Richard Bruns, Chair, Dana Kempton, Vice-Chair, Warren Bartlett, Theresa Bellmore, Robin Bickford, Michael Brannigan, Lynn Davey, Cathy Gavin, Peter Gore, Mark Granzier, David Johnson, Doug Libby, Dick Lowd, Diane Moongrove, John Portela, Vicki Purgavie, and Sydney Sewall.  Absent members were Vaikko Allen and Rebecca Martins.

The January 9, 2003 MHDO Board minutes were approved as written.

Executive Director Report
Financial Report:  In response to a Board member’s question Alan Prysunka stated that money earmarked for transfer to the General Fund in this fiscal year will be taken from the current balance of the entire revenue and not just from the carry forward money.

Richard Baldwin, Downeast Rehabilitation Associates:  Mr. Baldwin presented to the Board the reasons he believes Downeast Rehabilitation Associates should not have been assessed as a non-hospital health care facility.  He believes that: 1) his organization is not a licensed rehabilitation agency and that there are no licensed rehabilitation agencies in Maine; 2) his organization, with only 3 physical therapists, 
is not a non-hospital health care facility; and 3) he is an outpatient services provider and; therefore, he does not object to being assessed as such.  Mr. Prysunka explained the process the Board followed to determine the assessments and the Board’s Legal Counsel Paul Gauvreau explained Mr. Baldwin’s rights and the Board’s options.  A motion was then made and seconded to defer Mr. Baldwin’s assessment fee and to amend Chapter 10:  Determination of Assessments by adding the word “certified” to existing language that currently specifies licensed non-hospital health care facilities.

Compliance Issues - Payers - Referral to AG’s Office:  After reviewing a list indicating which companies had not submitted their Registration Form to the Maine Health Data Processing Center there was a motion and a second to refer these companies to the Office of the Attorney General.  Motion passed unanimously.

The Board was provided with a handout indicating which non-hospital providers and TPA’s have not submitted their assessment payment.  Debby Tuck gave the Board 
an overview of the entities that have been in contact with the MHDO as well as the three entities that have failed to respond even after being sent the proper notifications consistent with MHDO’s compliance policy.  There was a motion and a second to refer the three delinquent non-hospital providers to the Office of the Attorney General.
MHDO Board Minutes
February 13, 2003
Page 2

Motion passed unanimously.  The Board also discussed minor modifications to the assessment rule and Al Prysunka will bring to the next Board meeting proposals for these changes.

Draft MHDO Bill:  Mr. Prysunka gave the Board an overview of the recommended changes to:  An Act To Further Amend the Maine Health Data Organization Statutes.  
A discussion ensued regarding the recommended strikeout of language in §8704 (A)(6).  There was a motion and a second to accept the recommendation.  The motion passed with one Board member opposed.  A motion was then made and seconded to move forward with the entire proposed MHDO legislation with the caveat that changes to Chapter 243 as it impacts the legislation will be amended as necessary.  After further discussion that motion was amended to keep Section 3 of the draft bill as recommended by Mr. Prysunka.  Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  Upon further discussion the original motion was amended to modify language in 
8705 (1) where it states “certain health care practitioners” to be changed to specify “health care practitioners performing abortions under section 1596”.  The motion was seconded and passed with one Board member opposed.

LD’s Impacting MHDO (LD 112, LD 132, LD 159, LD 421, LD 432, LD 449, LD 497, 
LD 532, & LD 535):  The Board discussed proposed legislative documents of the 121st Legislative session that would possibly impact the MHDO.  The Board made a motion 
to have Mr. Prysunka send a letter to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee outlining the impact of LD’s 112, 132, 432 and 535 on the MHDO, with a fiscal note, stating that he would be available at work sessions to answer questions.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  Dr. David Johnson distributed to the Board 
a handout which coincides with LD’s 112 and 432.

There was a motion and a second to have Mr. Prysunka testify on LD 421 that the Board’s position is not to add new member to the Board but to change the MHDO statute to specify that the existing at-large slot be used for mental health providers without specifying which organization would select candidates.  The motion passed unanimously.

The Board agreed that no action is necessary regarding LD 159 or LD 449.  However, Mr. Prysunka will monitor LD 449.
 
A motion was made and seconded that Chair Richard Bruns testify on behalf of the Board in opposition to LD 532.  

Mr. Prysunka stated that LD 497 currently has no impact on the MHDO but that he 
will continue to monitor the proposed LD and be available to answer questions as 
they arise.  
MHDO Board Minutes
February 13, 2003
Page 3

Mr. Prysunka also stated that there are three additional bills not yet printed that may impact the MHDO.  Katherine Pelltreau, Director of the Maine HMO Council gave an overview of one of those bills and explained how it would effect the MHDO.  She will send a copy to Mr. Prysunka.  The Board will review the LD and discuss at its next meeting the position the MHDO shall take.

Rules: Chapter 243 (Initiate Rulemaking Process):  Mr. Prysunka explained the substantive modifications he made to Chapter 243, the reporting system of claims 
data.  The Board moved to grant approval for staff to begin the formal rulemaking process for Chapter 243.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

PD Check - Payer Name Problem:  The Board was provided with a handout that 
Mr. Prysunka explained shows a problem encountered through the in-house editing system, PD Check, regarding variations in spelling of payer names.   He also stated that the problem would be solved by having national payer/provider codes.

Consumer Seat - Kane Loukas - COO, Youth Alternatives, Inc. & Mark Agger - Health Data Dialogue Service:  The Board discussed whether or not employees of Youth Alternatives and Health Data Dialogue would be classified as providers or consumers and it was decided that staff should seek other possible candidates from consumer organizations in the state.

Measuring Health Care Quality Presentation - Sydney Sewall, M.D.:  Due to a scheduling conflict, Dr. Sewall could not stay for the entire meeting.  However, 
he will make his presentation at the March Board meeting.

Public Comment
Gordon Smith, Executive President of the Maine Medical Association (MMA) disseminated copies of MMA’s February newsletter pointing out an article of 
interest written on the Maine Health Data Processing Center.

Suanne Singer, Manager of the Maine Health Data Processing Center updated the Board on the status of the Center, stating that as of January 31, 2003, the deadline 
for submitting claims data, the Center is fully functional and that they are pursuing 118 companies that have not yet responded.  Ms. Singer will provide additional updates at future Board meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Adams, Administrative Assistant