This year’s state budget included $60 million for the creation of the Healthcare Cost Transparency Database, an all-payer claims database (APCD) for California. The successful design and implementation of the database could lead to a better understanding of what is driving health care costs across the state; how quality varies among different networks, facilities, and providers; and which factors are contributing to population health issues like the opioid epidemic.

This briefing brought together representatives from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the National Association of Health Data Organizations to discuss California’s new transparency law and design considerations that can help ensure a successful implementation. Speakers from Arkansas, Colorado, and Massachusetts presented lessons learned from the implementation of databases in their own states.

The panel was moderated by Kristof Stremikis, director of CHCF’s Market Analysis and Impact program area.

Speakers included:

• Scott Christman, Deputy Director and Chief Information Officer, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
• Denise Love, Executive Director, National Association of Health Data Organizations
• Ana English, President and CEO, Colorado Center for Improving Value in Health Care
• Josephine Porter, Director, Institute for Health Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire
• Deb Schiel, Senior Director of Analytics, Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis
• Craig Wilson, Health Policy Director, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

Read The ABCs of APCDs: How States Are Using Claims Data to Understand and Improve Care for more on this topic.