"Collaborative work between providers and payers helps define the facilitators and limitations of real-world applications … so that evidence becomes standard practice," says one executive.
Health systems and provider-affiliated health plans are now eligible for $50 million in funding through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)'s Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII). The five-year program expands PCORI's focus on practical research application, "this time by directly funding organizations responsible for healthcare delivery," according to a recent institute blog. PCORI adds that HSII will "lay the groundwork for future, nationwide scale-up through demonstration of successful implementation approaches." Here are five things to know about this opportunity and how it relates to other PCORI objectives:
1. In addition to health systems, provider-focused health plans are eligible for HSII funding.
"Provider-aligned health plans are natural innovators and will find PCORI's HSII initiative an exciting opportunity to accelerate what they are already doing, says Eva Powell, MSW, associate director of clinical innovation at the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP). Powell adds: "Collaborative work between providers and payers helps define the facilitators and limitations of real-world applications … so that evidence becomes standard practice."
2. HSII reflects the continued call to operationalize evidence-based practices.
As healthcare costs continue to rise—within the industry and as a growing percentage of U.S. GDP—there is mounting pressure to implement proven practices to curb waste. Responses range from PCORI's programs to proposed CMS marketplace guidelines that would require health plan benefit design to be evidence-based.
3. HSII is but one part of PCORI's ambitious funding goals.
Since January, the organization has announced opportunities totaling $262 million through eight PCORI Funding Announcements. These programs are part of the organization's three-year, $1.8 billion funding goal.
4. HSII is part of PCORI's proposed Research Agenda spanning six focus areas.
The agenda will guide funding that closes evidence and equity gaps, relieves system and consumer burden, deploys data and partnership to create evidence-based interventions, integrates science, focuses on social determinants of health, and makes evidence accessible and actionable.
5. Key HSII deadline begins in March, with awardees announced in February 2023.
Eligible health plans and health systems must file their Notice of Intent to apply for HSII by March 29. Final applications are due July 26.
Laura Beerman is a contributing writer for HealthLeaders.