If you have been to a doctor’s office in the last several years, you’ve likely signed a form detailing the provider’s privacy practices, how they protect your information, and how they comply with something called HIPAA. The Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, pronounced just like it is spelled: Read more…
On a monthly and quarterly basis, health insurance payers including Medicaid, over 33 commercial payers, and Medicare submit claims to the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). Payers submit claims for everyone they provide coverage to, regardless of whether they accessed health care during the previous period or not, Read more…
Any car owner can tell you that many, many components make up the vehicles we rely on every day to ferry us between work and home or between errands. And accordingly, mechanics have become increasingly specialized – especially now that cars are getting more complicated every year. You have a Read more…
This is the second in a series of blogs about what, exactly, is in the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). Today we’re looking at professional claims, which are generally used by providers in settings other than hospitals. Like medical claims, professional claims include basic information about why you Read more…
Two of the big draws to living in Colorado are the sunny days and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, not everyone can take full advantage of what Colorado has to offer when limited by illnesses and chronic conditions. Staying as healthy as possible is paramount to enjoying life Read more…
In the BBC’s series Sherlock, John Watson gets into a fight with the self checkout machine at the grocery store. The fight is hilarious, mainly because most of us have lost our temper at those same machines…or at least witnessed someone else’s struggle to pay for their groceries. There is Read more…
By Sharon Adams, CIVHC Community Engagement Manager Think for a moment about times when you have not been well and what brings you comfort. Often it is the presence of family, friends and caregivers who appreciate the necessity of focusing on us in ways that enable our return to Read more…
If you’re a fan of the Simpsons, you’ve probably encountered an episode or two with the rather unconventional and reckless character, “Dr. Nick”. If you’re not familiar with Dr. Nick, all you need to know is that he was challenged by a Malpractice Board for performing surgery with a knife Read more…
January is the month when people often take note of how much they spent during the holidays. Many look at their bank accounts wondering how they spent so much money and where it all went. Maybe you had a few individual big ticket items that were expensive, or maybe you Read more…
“Data Liberacion!” “Free the Data!” “Transparency or Bust!” If all of the organizations working on controlling health care costs were to hold a rally to push for a better system, it’s likely many would be carrying (or wearing) signs saying all of the above. But what do we mean when Read more…