Minutes of the 
Maine Health Data Organization
Board of Directors Meeting

Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell, Maine
Thursday, October 9, 2003

The meeting of the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) Board of Directors began at  
9:10 a.m. with the following Board members present:  Richard Bruns, Chair, Dana Kempton, Vice-Chair, Vaikko Allen, Theresa Bellmore, Robin Bickford, Cathy Gavin, Peter Gore, 
David Johnson, Doug Libby, Dick Lowd, Rebecca Martins, Diane Moongrove, John Portela 
and Lisa Tuttle.  Pending Board members Tom Bradley and David Winslow were also present.  Absent members were Lynn Davey, Mark Granzier, Vicki Purgavie, and Sydney Sewall.

The September 11, 2003 MHDO Board minutes were approved as written.

Executive Director Report
Financial Report:  Alan Prysunka informed the Board that assessments for non-hospital providers have been calculated and will be mailed out shortly.

Data Submissions Update:  The Board received a handout showing the current status of 
data submissions to the MHDO and it was stated that a similar report showing claims data submissions will be produced by staff at the Maine Data Processing Center.

Summary of PL 2003, Chapter 469 - “Dirigo Health”:  A summary of PL 2003, Chapter 469 was provided and Mr. Prysunka briefly explained the changes pertaining to the MHDO.  There was a discussion about the timeline for promulgating the rules on the collection of quality data.  Due to the fact that Dirigo Health and the Maine Quality Forum are not yet fully functional and that the rules will be major substantive, it will be highly unlikely that the rules will be adopted by the Legislature in the coming session.  

With respect to the annual report that the MHDO is required to produce by July 1, 2004 on 
the 10 services and procedures most often provided in Maine, there was some discussion of MaineCare data not being ready by that time. Robin Bickford representing the Department of Human Services informed the Board that she would be willing to do some research to produce 
a summary report with information available if necessary.

Hospital Database Payer File:  The Board discussed possible solutions to resolve the payer 
file issue and Mr. Prysunka stated that he is continuing his efforts to meet with hospital representatives to address the issue.  

MHDO Board Minutes
October 9, 2003
Page 2

MaineCare MOA Status:  Mr. Prysunka informed the Board that little progress was made 
at a recent meeting convened with the GOHPF, CMS, AG’s Office, and BMS to discuss including MaineCare data in the claims database.  In fact, he stated that a new concern arose 
of the possibility of the data being submitted by the hospitals is in violation of federal law.  
Mr. Prysunka stated that he has begun the Medicare application process to receive patient 
level data.   He will continue his efforts to obtain the MaineCare data.

Set Date for Finance Subcommittee Meeting & Establish Subcommittee for Revision to Chapter 50:  The Finance subcommittee members that were present set November 5 as a tentative date to 
meet to discuss an alternative method or options for determining non-hospital provider assessments.  MHDO staff will contact the absent members to confirm the date.  Mark Granzier 
and Robin Bickford volunteered to meet to discuss revising Chapter 50:  Fees for Data Process, Report Compilation and Copying Services.  It was decided that the two issues should be combined and discussed as a part of the Finance Subcommittee.

Mr. Prysunka informed the Board that staff was unsuccessful after making several attempts 
to obtain an update from the Governor’s Office on Board appointments but will continue to do so.  He also stated that the Board had received a copy of the 2003 Regulatory Agenda in their Board packets.  

Public Comment
None provided.

The MHDO Board meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Adams
Administrative Assistant