Colorado Launches State Medicaid eConsult Platform

Newport Beach CA, March 2024

Statewide initiative utilizes enterprise eConsult solution from Safety Net Connect to increase equitable access and further improve healthcare outcomes for Members.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of advanced virtual care solutions, —announced the launch of the Colorado Medicaid eConsult platform by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to improve access to specialty care advice for Members across the state. Electronic consults, or eConsults, are asynchronous (store and forward) clinical communications between a primary care medical provider (PCMP) and a specialty provider (specialist). SNC’s innovative, enterprise eConsult solution was reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and it was determined that it met the criteria for Federal matching to support the HCPF mission to improve health care equity, access to care, and outcomes for Colorado Members.

“Specialty care access is a widespread problem across the country — and this can be especially challenging for Medicaid programs, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and rural health centers (RHCs),” shared Chris Cruttenden, President, Safety Net Connect. “We created eConsult as an effective, scalable way to help providers close this gap — delivering rapid access to high-quality specialty care and improving outcomes.”

Coloradans face a high demand for specialty services, workforce shortages, and geographic barriers that can make access to specialty care particularly challenging. eConsult enables providers to collaborate to determine the most effective care plans while supporting a more convenient experience for Members.

With over a decade of successful implementation in Medicaid programs across rural and urban settings, SNC has demonstrated that eConsult results in expedited access to specialty care, reduced patient time off work and travel, improved quality of referrals, and reduced costs. By implementing statewide eConsult, Colorado is taking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare equity and improving access for Members.

How Colorado Medicaid eConsult Works
Starting February 1, 2024, PCMPs can use the web-based Colorado Medicaid eConsult platform to transmit secure eConsult requests to specialists. The specialist provides electronic clinical guidance to assist the PCMP in the diagnosis or management of the Member’s health care needs. The eConsult can result in a referral for a face-to-face visit with a specialist when clinically appropriate. Health First Colorado Providers will have access to Colorado Medicaid eConsult for free. Learn more at: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/eConsult_Platform or contact Coloradosupport@safetynetconnect.com.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care with solutions like Converge. SNC’s Converge technology integrates eConsult, eReferral and Televideo into one seamless, end-to-end telehealth solution — connecting medical, behavioral, and social service providers for true 360 degree whole-person care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

SNC Telehealth Solutions Achieves EHNAC Privacy and Security Accreditation from DirectTrust™

Newport Beach CA, September 2023

Accreditation recognizes SNC Telehealth Solutions for excellence in health data processing and transactions; ensures compliance with HIPAA privacy and security provisions.

SNC Telehealth Solutions, a leading provider of advanced virtual care solutions and subsidiary of Safety Net Connect (SNC), has achieved Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) Privacy and Security (EHNAC Privacy and Security) accreditation from DirectTrust™.

“SNC Telehealth Solutions has established a trust and confidence to existing and prospective stakeholders that customer data will be managed with integrity and effectiveness by achieving this critical accreditation,” said Lee Barrett, Commission Executive Director, DirectTrust.

Through a comprehensive third-party review, DirectTrust evaluated SNC Telehealth Solutions in areas of privacy and security, technical performance, business practices, customer service, personnel requirements, and third-party Cloud Service Providers. In addition, DirectTrust reviewed the organization’s process of managing and transferring protected health information (PHI) and determined that the organization meets or exceeds all DirectTrust criteria and industry standards.

“Our customers and partners demand the highest possible compliance with security standards,” shared Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO of Safety Net Connect and SNC Telehealth Solutions. “EHNAC Privacy and Security Accreditation from DirectTrust provides the assurance that our suite of virtual care solutions exceed industry standards in HIPAA privacy and secure handling of personal health information.”

About DirectTrust
DirectTrust™ is a non-profit, vendor-neutral alliance dedicated to instilling trust in the exchange of health data. The organization serves as a forum for a consensus-driven community focused on health communication, an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development organization, an accreditation and certification body through EHNAC (the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission), and developer of trust frameworks and supportive services for secure information exchange like Direct Secure Messaging and trusted, compliant document submission.
The goal of DirectTrust is to develop, promote, and, as necessary, help enforce the rules and best practices necessary to maintain privacy, security, and trust for stakeholders across and beyond healthcare. In addition, DirectTrust is committed to fostering widespread public confidence in the interoperable exchange of health information while promoting quality service, innovation, cooperation, and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit: DirectTrust.org.

About SNC Telehealth Solutions
With a mission to improve health equity, SNC Telehealth Solutions brings together the expertise, knowledge, and practical experience of two results-proven organizations: Safety Net Connect and Zane Networks. Together we provide innovative solutions for solving real-world problems. As Virtual Care becomes more mainstream, SNC Telehealth Solutions strives to minimize the barriers to access technology, clinical expertise, and create impactful solutions. Our marquee offering, SeeMD™, provides a unique combination of clinical resource expertise whenever the patient needs it. The solution expands the reach of a clinician and patient’s care team to continually engage the patient at a time that is convenient for all. For more information, visit www.snctelehealthsolutions.com.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Colorado Chooses Safety Net Connect's Enterprise eConsult Platform for Statewide Medicaid Initiative

Newport Beach CA, August 2023

The eConsult initiative advances Colorado's mission for equitable, accessible, and improved healthcare outcomes for Health First Colorado members.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of advanced virtual care solutions, has been selected by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to implement their cutting-edge eConsult platform for a statewide Medicaid implementation. Reviewed and approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this innovative initiative is designed to support the HCPF mission to improve health care equity, access to care, and outcomes for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) beneficiaries.

eConsult reduces barriers and expedites the delivery of high-quality care while enabling physicians to practice at the top of their scope, shared Chris Cruttenden, President of Safety Net Connect. Statewide adoption of eConsult is a significant step toward increasing equitable access for Medicaid members across Colorado.

The eConsult platform, a proven technology for efficiently and consistently delivering high quality healthcare for underserved populations, will facilitate seamless electronic communication between Primary Care Medicaid Providers (PCMPs) and specialist providers throughout the state. By enabling collaboration in determining the most effective care plans, the platform promises a more convenient and satisfying experience for members. With over a decade of successful implementation for safety net Medicaid plans across rural and urban settings, SNC’s eConsult technology offers numerous advantages, including expedited access to specialty care, improved quality of referrals, and reduced costs.

How the Colorado HCPF eConsult platform will work:
Electronic consultations, or “eConsults”, are asynchronous (store and forward) clinical communications between a PCMP and a specialty provider. The PCMP first transmits a secure eConsult request to a specialty provider. The specialty provider will then provide electronic medical guidance that assists the PCMP in the diagnosis or management of the member’s health care needs. The eConsult can result in a referral for a face-to-face visit with a specialty provider when clinically appropriate. In these instances, referrals will be made to specialty providers who are proven to improve quality outcomes, add value, and reduce costs specific to the specialty care required. By implementing the eConsult platform, Colorado is taking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare equity and improving access for Medicaid members. Safety Net Connect’s expertise and technology will play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.

Learn more about the Colorado HCPF eConsult initiative at: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/eConsult_Platform

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

NetChemistry Achieves HITRUST Implemented, 1-year (i1) Certification to Manage Data Protection and Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats

Newport Beach CA, August 2023

HITRUST Implemented, 1-year (i1) Certification validates NetChemistry is operating leading security practices to support protection of sensitive information.

NetChemistry, a leading provider of advanced virtual care solutions, has earned certified status by HITRUST for information security.

HITRUST Implemented, 1-year (i1) Certified status demonstrates that the virtual care solution suite from NetChemistry is leveraging a set of curated controls to deliver a complete security program that broadly protects against current and emerging threats.

“Congratulations to NetChemistry for earning HITRUST i1 Assessment certification and demonstrating the operational maturity of their cybersecurity program,” said Robert Booker, Chief Strategy Officer, HITRUST. “The HITRUST i1 Validated Assessment is a powerful tool for measurement, implementation, and performance assurance of information security controls.”

Through alignment with and incorporation of appropriate security controls, the HITRUST Implemented, 1-year (i1) Validated Assessment with Certification helps organizations address cybersecurity challenges and remain cyber resilient over time.

“As an organization dedicated to increasing healthcare access among underserved populations with innovative virtual solutions — we never lose sight of the critical importance of patient privacy, data security, and risk mitigation,” said Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. “Earning i1 Certification demonstrates our on-going commitment to the highest possible standards for cybersecurity and data protection.”

ConferMED Delivers 100,000 Specialty eConsults in Partnership with Safety Net Connect

Newport Beach CA, March 2023

With SNC's Converge technology, ConferMED delivers specialty care to underserved communities nationwide.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative healthcare solutions, celebrates ConferMED’s milestone achievement delivering over 100,000 specialty eConsults to vulnerable patients in medically underserved communities across the nation using SNC’s Converge telehealth platform.

ConferMED is fiercely dedicated to the idea that access to high quality healthcare should be a right (not a privilege) for everyone regardless of geography or ability to pay. This shared principle served as the foundation for the partnership between SNC and ConferMED, which began nearly a decade ago as the two organizations joined forces to create effective telehealth solutions to bridge the health equity gap and increase access to specialty care in underserved communities.

“Our primary care providers do an amazing job ensuring that their patients receive comprehensive care,” explained Dr. Daren Anderson, ConferMED Founder and President. “ConferMED’s SNC-driven eConsults and live video sessions help to expand the provider’s capabilities to diagnose and manage more complex conditions — and in many cases provide care that might otherwise be unavailable to their patients.”

Using SNC’s platform combined with a novel workflow process, the ConferMED team has delivered specialty care to more than 100,000 patients across the U.S., in collaboration with more than 3,000 primary care providers. “We’re excited to celebrate this critical milestone and the dedicated ConferMED staff, specialists and primary care users who made it happen,” shared Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO of Safety Net Connect. “It’s truly an honor to partner with ConferMED, a leader in healthcare innovation that shares our passion for increasing health equity and access to care across all communities.”

With nearly 300 specialists across all major adult and pediatric specialty care disciplines, ConferMED supports practices nationwide looking to improve access and reduce the cost of specialty care. ConferMED’s specialists quickly review cases, provide input to primary care providers, and develop the optimal care plan for patients. This process improves chronic disease outcomes, reduces unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and prevents long-term complications.

About ConferMED
ConferMED is a national eConsult provider improving access for patients while supporting better clinical outcomes and reduced costs. ConferMED's national network of over 300 specialists combined with its comprehensive interoperability solution allows primary care clinicians across the country to receive guidance and advice from experts in all major adult and pediatric specialties and subspecialties. Developed by practicing primary care providers, ConferMED offers expert implementation support to ensure seamless integration into existing clinical workflows with minimal disruption or added work. An informational video on the ConferMED Advancing Health Equity initiative can be found here: confermed.com/healthequity.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Quality Health Network Selects Safety Net Connect's Enterprise eConsult Solution

Newport Beach CA, April 2022

Groundbreaking eConsult initiative with direct HIE integration designed to expand equitable specialty care access for Colorado residents using SNC's Converge, Next Generation Telehealth Solution.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, has been selected by Quality Health Network (QHN), an award-winning Health Information Exchange (HIE) serving western Colorado, as the technology partner for an integrated eConsult solution: Colorado Specialty CareConnect (CSCC). Designed to enhance coordination of care between Primary Care Providers and Specialty Care Physicians, CSCC will increase access to specialty care for patients in need.

“Timely access to high-quality, coordinated care is a top-priority, and eConsults through Colorado Specialty CareConnect will streamline communication between Primary Care Providers and Specialists, improving patient care,” shared Marc Lassaux, Chief Technical Officer, QHN. “We’re excited to launch SNC’s solution with the goal to combine our health information exchange with rapid access to specialists to reduce burdens and costs for Western Colorado providers and patients through better communication.”

QHN selected SNC’s Converge, Next Generation Telehealth, based on the system’s multi-tenant ability with proven outcomes and extensive utilization. Utilizing the Converge asynchronous platform will enable Primary Care Providers (PCPs) and Specialty Physicians to share clinical information, provide medical guidance, and collaborate on care for their patients. Further, QHN’s pilot is designed to increase co-management, provider education, and community engagement.

“QHN is a leader in applying innovative technologies to increase person-centric care that is informed by social determinants of health,” explained Chris Cruttenden of SNC. “We’re excited to collaborate on this first-of-its-kind integration of an HIE and eConsult solution designed to increase equitable access to specialty care in the U.S.”

Converge has been used to deliver more than two million eConsults with consistent, sustainable, rapid access to specialty care. Further, Converge improves equitable access and health outcomes — reducing 50% of unnecessary face-to-face specialty visits and eliminating traditional access barriers for patients (such as transportation, work, and caregiving responsibilities).

About Quality Health Network:
The award-winning Quality Health Network (QHN) helps medical and behavioral health providers in western Colorado securely share patient data that enhances care coordination, reduces duplication of services and identifies individuals at risk so that efforts can be focused where they are needed most. In addition, our Community Resource Network (CRN) is a person-centric, Social Determinants of Health-focused community information exchange integrated with our HIE. By incorporating medical, behavioral and social data, CRN helps fill the gaps in care to improve the well-being of people in our communities. Visit: https://qualityhealthnetwork.org

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Over 2 Million Specialty Care eConsults Delivered for Underserved Patients with Converge from Safety Net Connect

Newport Beach CA, December 2021

Converge Next-Generation Telehealth Increases Capacity of Specialty Care Physicians While Improving Access and Health Equity for Safety Net Patients

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce the successful delivery of more than 2 million specialty care eConsults for patients in underserved populations through the Converge Next-Generation Telehealth platform.

With integrated eReferral, eConsult, and Televisit, SNC’s Converge brings asynchronous and synchronous telehealth technologies together into a single, end-to-end virtual care platform. The largest integrated telehealth platform of its kind in the nation, Converge is currently being utilized by safety net providers from coast-to-coast (including hospitals, community health centers, correctional facilities, and health plans) to provide safe, secure, and rapid access to specialty care across more than 10 million Medicaid, low-income and underserved patients in both urban and rural settings.

“With the proper forethought and systemic changes, telehealth technologies enable us to reimagine healthcare delivery in a way that can significantly reduce health inequities among at-risk populations,” shared Stan Frencher, MD, MPH, CEO of HubMD — a virtual medical group of physician specialists. “Converge is a unique telehealth solution designed specifically to increase timely access to high-quality specialty care, meeting the unique needs of safety net patients — and the providers who serve them.”

Converge has been shown to provide consistent, sustainable rapid access to specialty care. Further, Converge improves equitable access and health outcomes for safety net patients — reducing 50% of unnecessary face-to-face specialty visits and eliminating traditional barriers to care (such as transportation, work, and caregiving responsibilities). Unlike synchronous televideo alternatives, Converge actually increases physician capacity and improves care delivery by:

• Incorporating eConsults as the first step of a specialty referral: enabling a specialist to provide guidance and advice to as many as 8-10 patients in an hour, while seeing patients face-to-face might result in only 8-10 visits per day.
• Decreasing the number of unnecessary visits & reducing costs: instead of using an initial specialty visit to gather necessary data or test results; eConsult shifts the pre-specialty work forward for a more informed, efficient first visit at a lower cost.
• Increasing ease-of-use for the Patient: when a specialty visit is required, Converge provides the patient with appointment reminders and a “one-touch” click to launch a HIPAA-secure Televisit.

“Two million eConsults is an incredible milestone; that’s two million times we were able to help connect specialists, primary care providers and patients for much needed care,” explained Chris Cruttenden of SNC. “This is why we started Safety Net Connect — and it’s what inspires us to continue innovating.”

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-904-4137
kristine.nash.wong@safetynetconnect.com

ConferMED Launches Direct-to-Patient Telehealth in Partnership with SNC Telehealth Solutions

Newport Beach CA, October 2021

ConferMED Live! Brings Specialty Care to Vulnerable Patients in Medically Underserved Communities

SNC Telehealth Solutions, a subsidiary of Safety Net Connect (SNC), is honored to be the technology partner supporting a new direct-to-patient telehealth solution from ConferMED.

Utilizing the SeeMD™ platform from SNC Telehealth Solutions, ConferMED Live! will enable vulnerable patients in medically underserved communities to connect directly with a specialty physician. Designed to extend ConferMED’s nationally-recognized eConsult services, this novel solution will expand patient access to specialists via video — eliminating traditional barriers to care including transportation, work, and caregiving responsibilities.

“Timely access to specialists is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality in our underserved populations” said Dr. Daren Anderson, ConferMED President and Founder. “Bringing care directly into a patient’s home can dramatically improve outcomes — especially for patients without insurance or those living in rural communities.”

After receiving a referral from their primary care physician, patients will be able connect directly with a specialist who can manage their care remotely. With integrated peer-to-peer communication, the telehealth solution further facilitates coordination between primary and specialty physicians for optimal patient care. Initially launched in Central Texas with endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, and rheumatology specialists, ConferMED Live! will be available in other selected markets in early 2022.

“We’re excited to expand upon our long-standing partnership with ConferMED by integrating our asynchronous eConsult platform with our new synchronous solution, SeeMD, to deliver a fully virtual continuum of care” said Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO of Safety Net Connect and SNC Telehealth. “Our organizations are dedicated to improving outcomes in safety net communities — and increasing access to care is the most fundamental way we can begin to meet that goal.”

About ConferMED
ConferMED is a national eConsult provider improving access for patients while supporting better clinical outcomes and reduced costs. ConferMED’s national network of over 200 specialists combined with its comprehensive interoperability solution allows primary care clinicians across the country to receive guidance and advice from experts in all major adult and pediatric specialties and subspecialties. Developed by practicing primary care providers, ConferMED offers expert implementation support to ensure seamless integration into existing clinical workflows and minimal disruption or added work.
For more information, visit www.ConferMED.com.

About SNC Telehealth Solutions
With a mission to improve health equity, SNC Telehealth Solutions brings together the expertise, knowledge, and practical experience of two results-proven organizations: Safety Net Connect and Zane Networks. Together we provide innovative solutions for solving real-world problems. As Virtual Care becomes more mainstream, SNC Telehealth Solutions strives to minimize the barriers to access technology, clinical expertise, and create impactful solutions. Our marquee offering, SeeMD™, provides a unique combination of clinical resource expertise whenever the patient needs it. The solution expands the reach of a clinician and patient’s care team to continually engage the patient at a time that is convenient for all. For more information, visit www.snctelehealthsolutions.com.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Zane Networks, LLC and Safety Net Connect, Inc. Partner to Launch New Company, SNC Telehealth Solutions

Washington DC and Newport Beach CA, October 2021

SNC Telehealth Solutions to minimize the barriers between patients, technology access and clinical expertise

Zane Networks, LLC, a leader in healthcare transformation services and solutions, and Safety Net Connect, Inc (SNC), a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, today announced the collaborative launch of SNC Telehealth Solutions, an initiative aiming to transform the delivery of virtual care through expanding the reach of a clinician and patient’s care team.

SNC Telehealth Solutions offers two products: SeeMD™, the company’s flagship televisit solution and Converge, which integrates eConsult, eReferral, & Televideo. SeeMD allows patients to schedule a virtual visit to see their doctor, care coordinator, specialists, and have their own family or caregiver participate in the visit, while Converge serves as an end-to-end telehealth solution — connecting medical, behavioral, and social service providers.

“At the onset of the pandemic last year, the healthcare industry faced a lot of uncertainty. However, one thing that was certain was the immediate need for access to telemedicine,” said Alexandra Jellerette, president of Zane Networks. “The collaborative launch of SNC Telehealth Solutions allowed us to extend the reach of transformative healthcare services and quickly deliver impactful solutions to the patients and caregivers when and where they needed it most.”

“Our ability to extend the clinical involvement for a patient by utilizing our asynchronous eConsult solution combined with SeeMD’s synchronous televisit capability helps to ensure impactful guidance along the patient’s care pathway,” said Keith Matsutsuyu, president of SNC Telehealth Solutions.

About SNC Telehealth Solutions
SNC Telehealth Solutions brings together the expertise, knowledge, and practical experience of two results-proven organizations. We provide innovative solutions for solving real-world problems. As Virtual Care becomes more mainstream, SNC Telehealth Solutions strives to minimize the barriers to access technology, clinical expertise, and create impactful solutions. Our marquee offering, SeeMD™, provides a unique combination of clinical resource expertise whenever the patient needs it. The solution expands the reach of a clinician and patient’s care team to continually engage the patient at a time that is convenient for all.

About Zane Networks, LLC
Founded in 2000, Zane Networks is certified as an EDWOSB by the SBA and is also certified as a Washington D.C. CBE and Maryland MBE company. Zane Networks helps organizations leverage innovative health IT tools and health data through direct technical assistance and coaching, software development and/or implementation. Zane Networks is a Management Service Organization (MSO) certified by Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC). Additionally, the company is nationally certified by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). To learn more about Zane Networks, LLC, visit www.zanenetworks.com.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information, please visit www.safetynetconnect.com.

eManagement Program from NetChemistry Improves Behavioral Healthcare with Virtual Delivery Using Converge Telehealth Technology

Newport Beach CA, February 2021

Evaluation reveals Converge platform enables earlier identification, treatment, and improvement for behavioral health conditions — with a lower cost of care

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce that an evaluation of the eManagement Program utilizing the NetChemistry Converge telehealth platform, improved the screening, delivery, and quality of behavioral health services — while lowering the overall cost of care.

“With a shortage in behavioral health providers, we need new ways to bring the same, high-quality care to patients,” shares Chris Cruttenden, President, NetChemistry. “PCPs are at the heart of healthcare and have the trust of their patients; increasing their role in behavioral care is a natural next step. And these findings provide further support for this approach.”

Funded by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), the JSI evaluation of the eManagement Program revealed:

• 75% of physicians reported earlier detection of behavioral health conditions; enabling timely diagnosis — leading to improvements in treated conditions between patient visits
• Cost of behavioral healthcare was reduced with more than $770k saved from 130 averted inpatient admissions and 419 averted emergency department visits over 24 months
• 80% of electronic consultations (eConsults) between primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists were resolved without the need for a specialty referral
• PCPs reported high satisfaction rates with the program, and an increase in the knowledge and skills necessary to treat behavioral health conditions

How the eManagement Program Works:
Utilizing the Converge telehealth platform, participating PCPs can screen patients for behavioral health issues (including anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse) with built-in assessment tools. PCPs can virtually consult with a behavioral health specialist for peer-to-peer guidance on a patient’s course of treatment utilizing the eConsult solution. And, if needed, patients can be referred for a face-to-face (virtual or onsite) visit to a specialist with the integrated eReferral feature. Automated documentation and reporting further facilitate care coordination and collaboration.

Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-904-4137
kristine.nash.wong@safetynetconnect.com

National Thought Leader David J. Shulkin, M.D., to Host Interactive Discussion: "Navigating a Changing Healthcare System with Lessons Learned from the Department of Veterans Affairs" at E-Consult Event

Newport Beach CA, November 2020

Annual E-Consult Workgroup Meeting on November 16th to examine best practices for "Improving Access in a Time of Crisis and Beyond" from payers, providers, policymakers and patient advocates.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce David J. Shulkin, MD, will host an interactive “fireside chat” at the upcoming E-Consult Workgroup Meeting to be held virtually on November 16th 2020. This free event will bring healthcare payers, providers, policymakers and patient advocates from across the nation together to examine best practices for utilizing eConsult technologies to safely and rapidly improve access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic — as well as into the future.

Kicking off the meeting with an early morning session Dr. Shulkin, an internationally-recognized expert in system transformation and data-driven quality improvement, will engage participants in a discussion of how e-consult provides an answer to specialty care access in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his session, Dr. Shulkin will share lessons learned from his experience as the ninth Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“We all know increasing safe, rapid access to care has never been more important,” shares Dr. Shulkin. “I'm honored to lead this discussion examining how asynchronous eConsult paired with synchronous telehealth technologies can provide a truly sustainable solution to some of our nation's most significant healthcare challenges.”

As Secretary of the VA, Dr. Shulkin improved systems capacity and infrastructure to expand timely access to primary, specialty and behavioral healthcare providers for our nation's veterans. This “whole person” approach to coordinated healthcare had a dramatic impact on outcomes and patient satisfaction — raising trust in VA services from 46 to 70% during his tenure.

“We're grateful to the California Health Care Foundation for their support of the E-Consult Workgroup and Toolkit,” shared Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO and co-founder of SNC. “And we're truly honored to have Dr. Shulkin — a physician who has dedicated his career to improving health and wellness for all patients — join us for what promises to be an insightful and interactive discussion.”

Free registration is open now for the E-Consult Workgroup Annual Meeting and Dr. Shulkin's session:
“Navigating a Changing Healthcare System with Lessons Learned from the Department of Veterans Affairs” at 8 AM PT | 9 AM MT | 10 AM CT | 11 AM ET.

About Safety Net Connect
A joint venture between NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has been the leading creator of innovative health care technology, making it easier for providers and institutions to improve quality, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and increase access to care. Since 2009, SNC has helped public and private health care organizations across the nation, successfully reach millions of low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information visit www.safetynetconnect.com

NetChemistry's New Carequality-Enhanced Virtual Care Solution Changes Healthcare Delivery with Safe, Equitable Access During COVID-19 and Beyond

Newport Beach CA, August 2020

Expanding the "Converge" eReferral, eConsult and Televisit platform with secure, real-time patient data, NetChemistry delivers a novel model of telehealth

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce that Converge, its next-generation telehealth platform, is among the first virtual point-of-care solutions in the nation to deliver expanded access to secure patient data utilizing the Carequality Interoperability Framework. The telehealth evolution could not have come at a better time, as COVID-19 necessitates virtual healthcare delivery as a new standard in patient-centric care.

“Carequality was created to improve information exchange with the goal of enhancing the health of all Americans,” explained Dave Cassel, executive director of Carequality. “We’re pleased that Carequality is able to support NetChemistry’s innovation through connectivity and appropriate access to information. It’s exciting to see Carequality contribute to well-informed care via telehealth solutions, which can offer a safe and convenient option for patients and physicians.”

NetChemistry’s new model of telehealth is especially important during the COVID-19 crisis, which disproportionately impacts underserved communities. NetChemistry’s Converge system, now bolstered by the Carequality Interoperability Framework, allows providers to easily counsel, treat, and refer patients from the safety of their homes. Likewise, Converge reduces the likelihood of viral spread by bringing virtual care to high-risk locations such as correctional or long-term care facilities.

“Our adoption of Carequality doesn’t just translate into expanded access to patient data,” shares Chris Cruttenden, president of NetChemistry. “We’re increasing access to high-quality healthcare that can be delivered safely and virtually at the point-of-care — essentially anytime and almost anywhere. This increases provider capacity at a critical time, and it’s a game changer for healthcare equity.”

A decade ago, Converge was the first commercially available eConsult technology available in the United States. Today, the Converge platform integrates eReferral, eConsult and Televisit technology into a comprehensive telehealth solution — enabling healthcare providers to provide high-quality patient care from nearly any location across the healthcare continuum, including hospitals, post-acute care facilities, and public and correctional health systems.

About Carequality
Carequality is a national-level, consensus-built, interoperability framework to enable exchange between and among health information networks. Carequality brings together diverse groups, including electronic health record vendors, record locator service providers and other types of existing networks, to determine technical and policy agreements to enable data to flow between and among networks, platforms and geographies. For more information, visit https://carequality.org/

NetChemistry Among First Telehealth Providers in the Nation to Implement Carequality Interoperability Framework

Newport Beach CA, August 2020

Carequality connection expands real-time, secure access and exchange of data for NetChemistry's virtual care and care coordination solutions

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce its adoption of the Carequality Interoperability Framework, a nation-wide, consensus-built, universal health data exchange that provides connection between disparate health data networks to expand sharing of patient information across the country. Among the first telehealth technology implementers in the U.S., NetChemistry expands real-time access to patient data from over 2,800 hospitals, 50,000 clinics and more than 600,000 physicians with the Carequality connection. This timely venture addresses the growing need for safe, secure, and robust telehealth solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

“Carequality is leading healthcare information network interoperability and innovation,” said Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. “Embracing this framework will strengthen NetChemistry’s mission of facilitating communication between providers and patients to improve diagnoses and treatment, reduce unnecessary specialty visits, and expand equitable access to high-quality care.”

The Carequality Interoperability Framework facilitates swift and secure network-agnostic health information exchange between differing medical systems, providers, and technologies. NetChemistry will leverage Carequality to increase real-time access to patient data for the thousands of healthcare providers across the nation utilizing their virtual care and care coordination solutions, including hospitals, post-acute care facilities, and public and correctional health systems.

Providers who utilize NetChemistry’s Carequality-enhanced solutions will gain access to real-time patient data — supporting more-informed care for improved diagnoses, treatment and outcomes. This type of rapid, reliable data sharing is crucial in times like COVID-19 when virtual telehealth services are a necessary safety measure. Data-informed telehealth also plays a key role in the cost-effective delivery of quality healthcare to underserved and rural populations.

About Carequality
Carequality is a national-level, consensus-built, interoperability framework to enable exchange between and among health information networks. Carequality brings together diverse groups, including electronic health record vendors, record locator service providers and other types of existing networks, to determine technical and policy agreements to enable data to flow between and among networks, platforms and geographies. For more information, visit https://carequality.org/

Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-904-4137
kristine.nash.wong@safetynetconnect.com

eConsult Data Shed Light on Care Coordination Decisions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Rancho Cucamonga CA, July 2020

Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management. 2020 July;27(4):163-165
Author(s):
 Stanley Frencher, MD, MPH
 Waheed Baqai, MPH
 Lisa Aubry
 Desiree E. Sanchez, MD
 Alvin Kwong, MPH
 Sajid Ahmed, CHCIO

From the Multi-County eConsult Initiative, Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many health care professionals and their patients to use telehealth and virtual care to address care needs in new ways.¹ To shed light on care coordination decisions with respect to specialty resource access, we analyzed data collected from the Multi-County eConsult Initiative (MCeI)—the second-largest electronic consultation (eConsult) program in the United States—before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis of these data suggests opportunities for improving access to care and reducing unnecessary costs in the health system nationally.

The Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) launched MCeI (econsultie.com) in 2018. The initiative is a partnership between IEHP, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and Riverside University Health System aimed at improving access to specialty care for the safety-net population across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. IEHP is 1 of the 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country, serving more than 1.2 million members.² Data from MCel reveal the impacts of COVID-19 on eConsult use and offer insights into specialty resource availability during and outside of a crisis.

At the time of this analysis, 86 IEHP clinics in rural and urban settings across 38 specialties used the eConsult process to provide and obtain virtual specialty care, as well as timely appointments for in-person specialty care.³ eConsults are facilitated through a HIPAA-secure web-based portal that enables communication and sharing of information between the primary care provider (PCP) and a specialist. eConsult gives PCPs virtual access to specialists to coordinate care for their patients and determine the need for in-person specialty visits. Through the PCP-specialist eConsult dialogue, patients gain virtual access to specialty care. If a PCP-specialist care team determines the patient needs an in-person visit, that specialty referral is automatically authorized by IEHP, without the need for further review. At IEHP, eConsult is the primary method used for obtaining outpatient specialty referrals.

To analyze eConsult utilization before and during the pandemic, we gathered data from the MCeI program for the periods February 20–March 19, 2020, and March 20–April 19, 2020. Measures included eConsult volume and outcomes of eConsults (eConsults closed as referrals for face-to-face specialist visits versus eConsults closed without resulting in referrals for face-to-face specialist visits). Statistical analysis using chi-square tests for independence was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 (IBM, Armonk, NY).

The data show that after California’s stay-at-home order, issued on March 19, 2020,⁴ eConsult volumes initially decreased, reflecting a similar decrease in clinic visits and authorization requests submitted to IEHP. We observed a 4-week average of 1100 eConsults processed before the pandemic, and then a steep drop to a 4-week average of 500 eConsults processed after the stay-at-home order was issued. Despite the overall drop in the volume of eConsults submitted, demand for specialties like hematology and neurology remained high throughout the pandemic.

During the pandemic, certain specialties displayed rising rates of eConsults completed with specialists providing care recommendations to the PCP instead of resulting in a recommendation for a face-to-face (in-person or via telehealth) visit with a specialist (see Figure and Table). The trend of increasing eConsults that concluded without a face-to-face visit suggests newfound clinical consideration of limited medical resources, along with the desire to eliminate unnecessary risks of infection.

eConsults between PCPs and specialist reviewers via the IEHP portal resulted in higher rates of non-face-to-face recommendations. The specialist reviewers were able to provide treatment plans for PCPs to take care of patients without having to refer their patients to a specialist. This increase was significant across most of the specialties live on the MCeI program.

We believe that clinicians’ heightened awareness of the limitations of the US health care system should remain a key consideration and factor in medical decision-making about appropriate referrals after the pandemic has passed. The data demonstrate that the pandemic drove clinicians to make different decisions about referrals and care coordination. Physicians scrutinized individual cases more keenly and were not as quick to recommend a face-to-face visit. This awareness and consideration of specialty access before making a referral provides a valuable lesson. If this approach is applied to health care delivery post-pandemic, eConsults will help reduce unnecessary in-person specialist visits and will free up space and time for patients who genuinely do need in-person specialty care. In this way, eConsult will improve appropriate access to care for everyone and reduce unnecessary costs to the health care system at large.

An examination of eConsult utilization trends across Riverside and San Bernardino counties before and during the COVID-19 pandemic provides useful insights into how to reduce costs and improve access to care. Although the risk of exposure to COVID-19 currently presents a significant obstacle to obtaining in-person specialty care, pre-existing and long-standing barriers, such as long wait times and scarcity of specialists, remain critical issues to receiving care during and after the pandemic. The pandemic has proven eConsult’s value as a tool for effective care coordination. Leveraging provider-to-provider asynchronous communication offers an opportunity to reduce unnecessary utilization of scarce resources during and beyond the pandemic.

Corresponding author: Lisa Aubry, Aubry-L@iehp.org.
Financial disclosures: None.

Evaluation of LA Care's eManagement Program - Using NetChemistry's Converge Telehealth Technology

Los Angeles CA, July 2020

Read the publication here

NetChemistry Expands Converge Next-Generation Telehealth with Integrated eReferral, eConsult, and Televisit Technologies

Newport Beach CA, June 2020

End-to-end virtual care solution ensures safe, rapid access for all patients in need of specialty care resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, announces the expansion of its Converge "Next-Generation Telehealth" solution with integrated eReferral, eConsult, and Televisit telehealth technologies. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic NetChemistry has enhanced the Converge platform to provide an end-to-end virtual care solution supporting the safe, secure, and rapid access to specialty care services.

"Because of the pandemic, many patients have delayed seeking care for medical conditions that have been unmanaged or exacerbated during the lock-down," explained Stan Frencher, MD, MPH, CEO of HubMD - a virtual medical group of physician specialists. "And because these patients are often higher-risk, it's critical that we provide high-quality, coordinated telehealth that is equal to (if not better than) an in-person consultation."

Unlike a stand-alone Televisit solution, which simply changes the location of care without addressing issues of physician availability, referral management, and medical necessity of appointments, the Converge platform actually increases physician capacity and improves care delivery by:

• Incorporating eConsults as the first step of a specialty referral - As an asynchronous telehealth solution, eConsult enables a specialist to provide guidance and advice that will impact as many as 8-10 patients in an hour, while seeing patients face-to-face might result in only 8-10 visits per day.
• Decreasing the number of unnecessary specialist/patient visits - Often an initial specialty visit is used to gather necessary data or test results; eConsult shifts the pre-specialty work forward for a more informed, efficient first visit.
• Increasing ease-of-use for the Patient - When a specialty visit is required, Converge provides the patient with appointment reminders and a "one-touch" click to launch a HIPAA-secure Televisit.
• Improving ease-of-use for the Physician - Converge provides the primary care physician with the virtual care tools they need to continue to serve their patients and adapt to the rapidly evolving changes in healthcare.
• Increasing Equitable Access to High-Quality Care - with the combination of asynchronous to synchronous solutions, Converge both increases access and enhances physician-to-physician communication for optimal patient care.

"Moreover, by applying telehealth strategically and intentionally with vulnerable populations in mind" added Dr. Frencher, "we can ameliorate health inequities in access rather than see that divide widen."

NetChemistry and HubMD Partner to Expand Timely Access to Virtual Specialty Care for Underserved and Correctional Healthcare Patient Populations

Newport Beach CA, May 2020

Unique telehealth partnership integrates eConsult, eReferral and Televisit to facilitate rapid access to specialty healthcare for at-risk patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce their partnership with HubMD - a virtual medical group of physician specialists. This partnership increases access to specialty care by connecting medically underserved populations with HubMD specialists through NetChemistry's Converge Telehealth Platform. With this end-to-end solution, HubMD and NetChemistry can rapidly respond to the increased need for COVID-19 consultation and referral requests (particularly among high-risk correctional healthcare patients), as well as the growing need for online access to specialty care for medical and behavioral conditions unrelated to the pandemic.

"Our partnership with NetChemistry strengthens our mission of providing excellent specialty care to every patient - regardless of health status, income or resources," explained Stan Frencher, MD, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, HubMD. "Using Converge eConsult our team of highly trained physicians can bring specialty care directly to the patient in their own medical home - wherever that may be."

With integrated eConsult, eReferral and Televisit technology - the Converge telehealth platform enables care delivery in the primary care office or "medical home" (including correctional settings) which significantly reduces the patient's need to travel. PCPs can securely contact HubMD's team of specialists for an electronic peer-to-peer consultation and develop a care plan specific to the needs of each patient. And if a specialty appointment is deemed necessary, the patient can receive a real-time video consultation with a HubMD specialist physician right from the primary care office or medical home.

"We see a continually expanding shortage of specialists in medically underserved populations," said Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "NetChemistry developed Converge eConsult to fill that gap, and we are excited to be working with HubMD to improve timely access to high-quality specialty care for all patients."

The partnership will benefit NetChemistry, HubMD, and their clients, by broadening the scope of their offerings. HubMD will provide NetChemistry's clients with access to a broad panel of expert specialty physicians. Likewise, NetChemistry's Converge eConsult system will offer HubMD providers with a proven infrastructure for referral guidelines, decision support algorithms, health information and document attachments, and workflow management.

About HubMD
HubMD is a virtual medical group of physician specialists who care. We provide primary care physicians and healthcare facilities access to fully credentialed and licensed, board-certified specialist physicians. As a for profit medical group, our focus is on the safety net population. We partner with physicians and others to enhance care delivery. Our clients are public and private organizations including hospitals, health systems, and even correctional facilities. https://hubmd.org/about

In Response to COVID-19, NetChemistry Provides Primary Care Physicians With Free Access to Dedicated eConsult Telehealth Portal in Partnership With America's Physician Groups, Gaine Healthcare and HubMD

Newport Beach CA, March 2020

eConsult provides PCPs with rapid, electronic access to specialist consultations and guidance during COVID-19 pandemic

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, America's Physician Groups (APG), Gaine Healthcare and HubMD are pleased to announce the launch of an eConsult telehealth portal providing primary care physicians (PCPs) with no-cost, rapid, electronic access to specialty care consultations.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, health systems are experiencing increased volumes of infectious disease and pulmonology consultation and referral requests. In addition, there is a growing need for online access to specialty care for patients with medical and behavioral conditions unrelated to COVID-19. To support PCPs and help facilitate the critical, ongoing delivery of patient care during the coronavirus pandemic, this dedicated eConsult telehealth portal will provide a secure electronic connection between frontline healthcare providers and specialty physicians - often in less than 4 hours.

"We are all incredibly grateful to the healthcare providers and professionals putting themselves in harm's way during this challenging time," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We feel both honored and mission-bound to provide any assistance we can to support the critical, life-saving work of those on the front-line of this pandemic."

eConsults connect PCPs with specialists who provide responses to their questions, often preventing patients from having to schedule, and endure long wait times for face to face visits. Providers can launch eConsult in a virtual training session lasting less than 30 minutes and can begin submitting eConsults immediately. Specialists can be onboarded in the same amount of time and spend, on average, 10 minutes or less responding to an eConsult request - enabling specialists to consult on more patient cases, increasing their capacity tenfold while reducing the need for face-to-face interactions.

One of the first and largest eConsult systems in the nation, NetChemistry has conducted over 1.3 million eConsults on the platform. NetChemistry has successfully served over 10 million Medicaid, low-income and underserved patients, engaged with thousands of primary care and specialty providers, and implemented enterprise-level eConsult platforms for the second and third largest Medicaid health systems, LA County, California and Cook County, Illinois. Additionally, NetChemistry has recently implemented the eConsult solution in California's Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

About America's Physician Groups
America's Physician Groups is a not-for-profit, mission-driven association organized to assist accountable physician groups to improve the quality and value of healthcare provided to patients. America's Physician Groups represents and supports physician groups that assume responsibility for clinically integrated, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare on behalf of our patients. In California, APG represents over 180 physician groups across the state. Visit us at www.apg.org.

About Gaine Healthcare
Gaine helps leading healthcare organizations, life sciences, and biotech companies leverage information as they strive for competitive advantage and operational efficiency. Gaine's Coperor™ platform arms its clients with Information Agility™ which maximizes flexibility, minimizes cost and time-to-value, and eliminates the risks associated with implementing new systems, migrating existing systems, and integrating data from internal and external sources. For more information, please visit gainehealthcare.com.

About HubMD
HubMD is a virtual medical group of physician specialists who care. We provide primary care physicians and healthcare facilities access to fully credentialed and licensed, board-certified specialist physicians. As a for profit medical group, our focus is on the safety net population. We partner with physicians and others to enhance care delivery. Our clients are public and private organizations including hospitals, health systems, and even correctional facilities. hubmd.org/about

Southern California Sheriff's Departments Utilize Inland Empire Health Plan eConsult Platform to Increase Access to Specialty Care

Newport Beach CA, December 2019

Converge, eConsult Technology from NetChemistry, Enables Correctional Facilities to Increase Specialty Care Access While Reducing Transportation and Security Costs

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, announced that the Health Services Division of the Detentions and Corrections Bureau of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the Sheriff's Department Corrections Division of Riverside County working with the Riverside County Correctional Health Services are successfully increasing access to timely specialty care as part of the multi-county eConsult initiative funded by Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).

"IEHP is excited to promote eConsult as a clinical best practice, particularly in a region with one of the largest provider shortages in the U.S.," explained Priya Batra, MD, MS, Senior Medical Director at IEHP. "We are thrilled to know the eConsult platform is streamlining the delivery of specialty care to those who need it most."

In partnership with local healthcare systems, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Riverside University Health System, the correctional facilities have reduced medically unnecessary face-to-face specialist visits in the county jails by 57% using the eConsult platform created by NetChemistry. Reducing unnecessary in-person visits to the local healthcare facilities has also significantly reduced associated transportation and security costs.

"We are proud of our partnership with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in San Bernardino County and Riverside University Health System (RUHS) in Riverside County," said Jarrod McNaughton, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at IEHP. "We are pleased to know the eConsult platform is improving access to quality healthcare in the most efficient way."

"Patients in jails are often in higher need of medical, behavioral and social services," explained Vikram Kumar, MD, MBA, Chief Health Information Officer at RUHS. "We're excited to be able to leverage innovative technology solutions like eConsult for the patients in our County's correctional facilities - improving timely access to the highest quality care."

How eConsult Connects Correctional Health Providers with County Specialists. NetChemistry's Converge eConsult technology facilitates a convenient online connection between correctional healthcare staff and ARMC + RUHS specialists - allowing them to easily share notes, charts, and labs to create individualized patient plans in a timely fashion (often in just 1-2 days). Converge eConsult gives physicians in jail facilities with a method for resolving many specialty issues directly onsite, which alleviates the stress, expense, and liability associated with transporting patients offsite. For patients who need a face-to-face, eConsult provides an avenue for pre-qualified specialty referrals to the ARMC or RUHS medical facilities, reducing the burden of ER utilization for non-emergent issues.

About IEHP
IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, is the top 10 largest Medicaid health plan and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. With a network of more than 6,400 providers and more than 2,000 employees, IEHP serves more than 1.2 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). Through a dynamic partnership with providers and community, award-winning service and innovative products, IEHP is fully committed to advocating for our members and providing them with quality, accessible and wellness-based health care services. For more information, visit www.iehp.org.

NetChemistry's eConsult Integrates with Cerner EHR - Increasing Ease-of-Use and Access-to-Care for Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Newport Beach CA, October 2019

NetChemistry and Cerner Integration with LADHS Latest Innovation for Nation's Leading eConsult Solution

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, today announced the integration of Converge, next-generation eConsult, with Cerner's Electronic Health Record (EHR) at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS).

Integrating NetChemistry's eConsult within the Cerner EHR will further increase ease-of-use and access-to-care for LADHS patients. LADHS providers now have single sign-on, direct access to Converge eConsult within the Cerner EHR platform. This integration simplifies workflows and improves clinical care coordination, providing seamless access to the patient's complete medical record - making it easy to securely share relevant data.

"Creating the seamless link when submitting an eConsult from Cerner has provided tangible improvement in how primary care providers care for their patients," explains Stanley Dea, MD, Director of eConsult, LADHS. "In a health care system as large as ours, providers need every innovative edge they can use to help them through their busy workdays."

More than 1.1 million eConsults have been provided within the LADHS system to date - over 600 LADHS specialist reviewers across 64 specialties respond to an average of 18,000 eConsults requests each month. LADHS is the second largest municipal health system in the United States, with a broad delivery network using the Converge eConsult platform across diverse care settings, including: county hospitals and clinics, providers in both rural and urban communities, jails, and juvenile courts. Longitudinal studies of the award-winning LADHS initiative with NetChemistry's eConsult have demonstrated consistent, sustainable rapid access to specialty care - and the program has been recognized for dramatically improving the quality of patient-centered specialty care.

"We created Converge to increase access to the best possible care for underserved populations," shares Chris Cruttenden, President, NetChemistry. "Integrating Converge eConsult within the EHR at LADHS - and for our health system partners nationwide - is one more way we are fulfilling our mission to expand access to care for all patients."

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. The LADHS mission is to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective health care to Los Angeles County residents through direct services at DHS facilities and through collaboration with community and university partners. For more information, please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov

Community Health Centers Partner with OCHIN for New EHR System

Oceanside CA, October 2019

OCHIN will implement their Epic EHR technology into the Southern California health system

North County Health Services (NCHS), a southern California health system hosting 12 community health centers, is partnering with Oregon Community Health Information Network (OCHIN) to implement its EHR and electronic dental records (EDR) systems, practice management, and other health IT services.

"We are excited to partner with OCHIN to bring the best in technology for the region's most vulnerable patients and the clinicians who care for them," said Barbara S. Kennedy, President and CEO of NCHS.

The Oregon-based nonprofit health information and innovation network serves more than 10,000 clinicians and over 115 health organizations across the country. OCHIN leverages innovation and collaboration to improve patient health outcomes and reduce healthcare organization costs.

OCHIN delivers its Epic technology on a single, fully-integrated platform. It will give NCHS ongoing support, workflow solutions, patient engagement platforms, health information exchange, and research help.

"This partnership will allow our clinicians and staff to focus on delivering excellent care to our patients while OCHIN delivers and supports our EHR/EDR system across our clinical community," said Kennedy.

OCHIN is known for delivering EHR solutions to community health centers, which serve low-income and vulnerable patient populations. CHCs aren't always well-funded, making it hard for them to implement sophisticated health technologies and EHRs, but this latest partnership between OCHIN and NCHS will alleviate that issue for the California health system.

"Patients with lower incomes shouldn't be left behind as health information technology continues to evolve," said OCHIN's CEO, Abby Sears. "This partnership will bring the most advanced information technology to all NCHS centers. Care will be more coordinated, which leads to better outcomes and healthier lives for patients."

NCHS serves more than 67,000 patients in North San Diego County and Riverside County. It has 12 medical sites moving to the OCHIN Epic platform in 2020, which will improve the overall patient experience, from coordination to care, the health system said.

In 2018, OCHIN integrated electronic consultation serves (eConsult) into its Epic and NextGen EHR systems in an effort to streamline EHR use for providers and enable single sign on capabilities.

"The integration of these eConsult platforms is a natural addition to our technology portfolio," said Sears. "We're dedicated to finding innovative technologies that make a meaningful difference for patients and the providers who care for them."

"By measurably improving real-time data exchange, collaboration between systems and providers, and sustainably increasing access to care, NetChemistry and RubiconMD help us fulfill our mission," Sears continued.

OCHIN partnered with eConsult platform vendors RubiconMD and NetChemistry to cut down the number of clicks per day for EHR providers, limiting administrative burden.

OCHIN has also been pushing to make EHR systems more workable with social determinants of health (SDOH) data.

A 2017 OHCIN study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM) found regulating social factors of health data collection and presentation in EHR systems can improve patient and population health outcomes in community health centers.

Researchers working with OCHIN developed ways to optimize social determinants of health data collection, present the data in EHR systems, and integrate the data into EHRs.

Researchers found documenting a patient's social determinants of health data in EHRs may allow care teams to leverage the information for more comprehensive, accurate patient care delivery and care coordination.

Inland Empire Health Plan Multi-county eConsult Initiative with NetChemistry Improves Specialty Care for Southern California Residents

Newport Beach CA, July 2019

Converge, Next Generation eConsult Technology, Increases Care Coordination and Timely Access for Medi-Cal and Cal MediConnect Members

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce the multi-county eConsult initiative funded by Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and launched in partnership with local healthcare systems, including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in San Bernardino County and Riverside University Health System (RUHS) in Riverside County, is successfully increasing timely access to specialty care and improving care coordination for members enrolled in Medi-Cal (Medicaid) or Cal MediConnect (Medicare-Medicaid Plan).

This groundbreaking payer and provider collaboration creates the infrastructure for a sustainable, long-term solution to the challenges of specialty care access using NetChemistry's next-generation eConsult technology platform: "Converge". Following a successful launch with ARMC and RUHS, the program was expanded to include the RUHS Correctional Health System Facilities - bringing the current number of participating locations to 63 sites. Community-based physicians have rapidly adopted Converge to quickly and efficiently connect to specialists - with system utilization increasing over 50% every month and more than 15,000 eConsults completed to date. Twenty-two medical specialties are currently included in the multi-county initiative - with cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology and gastroenterology among the most accessed.

"We're excited to work with IEHP and the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino to extend eConsult through this innovative collaboration," said Chris Cruttenden of NetChemistry. "Our Converge eConsult is the only enterprise multitenant solution designed to seamlessly bring together disparate patient populations, provider networks and health systems under one roof to improve access to specialty care. We believe evolving payer/provider partnerships and leadership from plans like IEHP hold the key to closing the gaps in our healthcare system."

Having processed over 1.5 million eConsult transactions, the NetChemistry Converge platform is the largest eConsult provider in the nation. With the addition of this IEHP sponsored initiative, Converge now connects over 8 million patients to specialty care in Southern California alone - further validating the value and scalability of the NetChemistry eConsult technology for improving coordination and access to care. NetChemistry partners with WISE Healthcare to implement eConsult in all of the IEHP sites.

How eConsult Works
When a patient has a health complaint that may need specialty attention, their primary care physician (PCP) can use the Converge platform to initiate a dialog or electronic consultation ("eConsult") with a Specialist. Integrated decision support and referral guidelines help to triage requests to participating specialists who can efficiently respond with recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and referral. The majority of eConsults provide physicians with the necessary guidance to manage patients in the primary care setting - enabling specialists to focus on complex patients, and engage in a more-informed initial appointment. Published outcomes demonstrate shorter specialty care wait times, reduction in the need for face-to-face specialty visits, and lower costs while maintaining high quality of care.

About IEHP
IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, is a not-for-profit Medi-Cal and Medicare health plan located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. With a network of more than 6,400 providers and more than 2,100 employees, IEHP serves more than 1.25 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medi-Cal or Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). Through a dynamic partnership with providers, award-winning service and innovative products, IEHP is fully committed to providing members with quality, accessible and wellness-based healthcare services. www.iehp.org.

Over One Million eConsults Delivered by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Newport Beach CA, May 2019

Agency-wide LADHS Initiative reaches landmark milestone in care delivery - providing rapid access to coordinated specialty care for Los Angeles Safety Net

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce that the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) has delivered over 1,000,000 eConsults using the Converge, next-generation eConsult technology, from NetChemistry. This unprecedented milestone marks the scale, efficacy and success of LADHS' agency-wide initiative in delivering rapid access to coordinated care for the county's diverse safety net community.

We're harnessing technology to facilitate more collaborative, effective, and efficient care," explains Dr. Hal Yee, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, LADHS. "This is a notable achievement in health information technology - and represents a true transformation in our nation's model of healthcare delivery."

Inspired by the eReferral technology developed at San Francisco General Hospital by Dr. Yee, the LADHS eConsult platform initially launched with just two specialties and only 53 eConsults in July of 2012. Since then the program has expanded to include a panel of 600 specialist reviewers across 64 specialties, responding to an average of 20,000 eConsults requests each month. Notably, the LADHS eConsult initiative has dramatically improved access to quality care for the county's safety net community, with an overall reduction of 50% in wait times for many DHS specialties since the program's initiation.

"The eConsult program had almost immediate buy-in which led to rapid adoption and expansion," shared Stanley Dea, MD, Director of eConsult, LADHS. "The short time it took us to reach a million eConsults is testimony to continued value to all our users. We anticipate continued improvement of the platform over the next million eConsults."

LADHS is the second largest municipal health system in the United States, with a vast delivery network using the eConsult platform across diverse care settings, including: county hospitals and clinics, providers in both rural and urban communities, jails, and juvenile courts. Longitudinal studies of the LADHS initiative have demonstrated consistent, sustainable rapid access to specialty care - and the program has been recognized for dramatically improving the quality of patient-centered specialty care.

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its integrated system of 24 health centers and four hospitals - and expanded network of community partner clinics - DHS annually provides direct care for over 500,000 unique patients and employs over 22,000 staff. In 2015, the County Departments of Health Services, Public Health, and Mental Health were integrated under a Health Agency Model to meet the County's most pressing health needs. For additional information, please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov

Data-Sharing for Homeless Services: Orange County Launches NetChemistry Technology to Coordinate Homeless Care, Services

Santa Ana CA, January 2019

NetChemistry is pleased to announce that the County of Orange has gone live with the Whole Person Care coordination platform. The system connects multiple agencies both within and outside of the County structure and allows any member of the beneficiary's care team to access information, review and participate in care coordination activities, and reduce duplication of efforts, since different entities were not communicating effectively with each other prior to this system.

Read Orange County's article here.

County of Orange Health Care Agency and NetChemistry Launch "WPC Connect" - Care Coordination and Real-time Data Exchange Solution for the California 1115 Waiver Whole Person Care Pilot Program

Newport Beach CA, January 2019

Innovative technology facilitates care management and collaboration among behavioral, medical, and social service provider organizations for homeless Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a joint venture of NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, and a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its WPC Connect platform with the County of Orange Health Care Agency (HCA) in the Whole Person Care (WPC) pilot program. WPC aims to help Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are struggling with homelessness with more effective and inclusive coordination of services.

The WPC Connect platform will facilitate a non-traditional, patient-centered approach to care coordination for the County of Orange WPC pilot. With WPC Connect, community-based providers (who historically have not had pathways for data sharing with each other) will be connected to a centralized hub for real-time communication. Prior to the WPC pilot, for example, a homeless shelter wouldn't necessarily know that a client was recently hospitalized for a particular condition. Now when a patient experiencing homelessness enters an emergency room, providers will use WPC Connect to generate a "Community-Collaborative Care Plan" and coordinate with other WPC partner agencies in real time - including clinics, homeless shelters, recuperative care services, emergency rooms and other providers.

"Our county has a number of great, community-based resource and service providers who are dedicated to helping people dealing with the many challenges of homelessness," explained Melissa Tober, Manager, Strategic Projects, Health Policy, Research, & Communication, HCA. "With WPC Connect we can engage all of our providers in the community in real time - whether they are part of the same network or system (or not). We are essentially creating a uniquely tailored, virtual care network for each patient we serve."

"We are thrilled to have been selected to be part of this initiative," said Keith Matsutsuyu of SNC. "Our mission is to facilitate holistic, equitable care for safety net populations. We're truly honored to work with innovative leadership from HCA, CalOptima, and the community organizations who are on the frontline, to help make a meaningful impact on our nation's crisis of homelessness."

About WPC
WPC is the coordination of physical, behavioral health, and social services in a patient-centered approach with the goals of improved health and well-being through more efficient and effective use of resources for Medi-Cal beneficiaries struggling with homelessness. WPC promotes increased communication between hospital emergency rooms, CalOptima, community clinics, HCA Behavioral Health Services and Public Health Services as well as recuperative care providers to improve access and navigation of services for the homeless population. For more information, please visit: http://www.ochealthinfo.com/wpc.

NetChemistry eConsult Technology Utilized to Improve Care for Opioid Addiction

Newport Beach CA, October 2018

eConsult used to increase access to - and care coordination among - specialists in addiction medicine, mental health, and social services.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a joint venture of NetChemistry and ELM Technologies, and a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, today announced that healthcare systems across the nation are now utilizing SNC's Converge - a Next Generation eConsult Solution - to facilitate care coordination and specialist access for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Community eConsult Network (CeCN), a program of Community Health Center, Inc. and the Weitzman Institute, is a national leader in the efforts to improve access to specialty care for underserved populations. Using SNC's eConsult technology to connect community health centers and primary care providers across the country with a network of specialists for addiction treatment is consistent with CeCN's core mission.

"Addiction treatment can be challenging for primary care providers - particularly for community providers and practices in rural areas," explained Daren Anderson, M.D., Director of Weitzman Institute. "Using eConsult, we can connect physicians in even the most remote regions with expert guidance from specialists in addiction medicine." Dr. Anderson added: "Patients struggling with opioid addiction often have concomitant and complex needs for mental health and social services. eConsult technology also enables us to facilitate access and coordinate care management among these providers."

"We're excited to see our eConsult technology being used to make a meaningful difference for patients and families struggling with opioid addiction," said Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO of Safety Net Connect. "We developed Converge to improve access to specialists and care coordination for underserved populations - expansion into addiction medicine is a natural evolution driven by the real-world need of providers in the field."

How Converge Next Generation eConsult Works
When a patient has a health complaint that may need specialty attention, their PCP can use the Converge platform to initiate a dialog or electronic consultation ("eConsult") with a Specialist. Integrated decision support and referral guidelines help to triage requests to participating specialists who can efficiently respond with recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and referral. While some patients may need to see a specialist, a majority of eConsults provide PCPs with the necessary guidance to manage patients in the primary care setting.

About Community eConsult Network
Community eConsult Network (CeCN) is a novel eConsult service provider working with primary care practices, payers, state governments, and academia led by Community Health Center, Inc. CeCN links primary care practices to specialty care providers through eConsult technology to increase access to specialty care for medically underserved populations; to improve efficiency, health outcomes, and quality; and to create better communication and collaboration between primary care providers and specialists. For more information, please visit https://communityeconsults.com/

NetChemistry's Converge Platform Surpasses 1 Million eConsults

Newport Beach CA, June 2018

Nation's largest enterprise, multi-tenant eConsult platform delivering asynchronous specialty care to the masses.

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, is pleased to announce that Converge, the nation's largest eConsult platform, has successfully delivered more than 1 million eConsults.

NetChemistry's "Converge" is the next generation of eConsult, a scalable asynchronous telehealth platform that can help both small and large healthcare systems transform care coordination, increase provider capacity, and rapid access to high quality specialty care — all while reducing healthcare costs. Converge seamlessly connects medical, behavioral, and social services providers across previously fragmented healthcare networks and technology systems — improving outcomes for underserved populations.

"It's an honor to have reached 1 million eConsults, thanks to our partner organizations, whose innovative ideas and dedication to the underserved are transforming our healthcare system," said Chris Cruttenden of NetChemistry. "We're proud to be the leading technology provider for organizations serving vulnerable populations. Converge democratizes healthcare with sustainable improvements in rapid access to high-quality specialty care for everyone."

Converge has successfully served over 10 million Medicaid, low-income and underserved patients, engaged with thousands of primary care and specialty providers, and implemented enterprise-level platforms for the second and third largest Medicaid health systems in the country. One of the first and largest eConsult systems in the nation, studies demonstrate Converge has produced significant outcomes, including:

• decrease in wait times for specialty care by as much as 89.2%
• eliminating the need for face-to-face specialty care appointments in 68.8% of cases
• maintaining or enhancing quality-of-care with simultaneous cost savings
• and in providing a sustainable, long-term improvement in specialty care access

How Converge Next Generation eConsult Works

When a patient has a health complaint that may need specialty attention, their PCP can use the Converge platform to initiate a dialog or electronic consultation ("eConsult") with a Specialist. Integrated decision support and referral guidelines help to triage requests to participating specialists who can efficiently respond with recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and referral. While some patients may need to see a specialist, a majority of eConsults provide PCPs with the necessary guidance to manage patients in the primary care setting.

Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-904-4137
kristine.nash.wong@safetynetconnect.com

Study: Telemedicine Consults Help Save About $500 Per Patient

Middletown CT, January 2018

An analysis of the eConsult service finds that doctors using the telemedicine platform for cardiology consults saved about $500 in Medicaid costs per patient over a six-month span.

By Eric Wicklund

A telemedicine consult platform for cardiology cases saved almost $500 per patient in Medicaid costs over in-person treatments, according to a newly released study.

In what's being billed as the first published randomized study of the eConsult platform, researchers at Community Health Center and the University of Connecticut Health Center found that the telemedicine platform, which facilitates virtual consults with a specialist, yielded lower mean adjusted total costs of $655 per patient, or lower mean costs of $466 when adjusted for non-normality, compared to those using face-to-face consults over a six-month span.

In addition, the eConsult group reported reduced costs of $81 per patient for outpatient cardiac procedures, as well as improving access to care for underserved patients and reducing the rate of no-shows for providers.

Read the full article here.

Los Angeles County Scores An E-Success In Managing Specialist Care With NetChemistry's eConsult Solution

Los Angeles CA, March 2017

By Anna Gorman - This article originally appeared in Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit national health policy news service. KHN's coverage in California is funded in part by Blue Shield of California Foundation.

An electronic program launched in 2012 by Los Angeles County's health care system has reduced wait times for specialty care and eliminated the need for some safety-net patients to see specialists at all, according to a new study in the journal Health Affairs.

The program, eConsult, allows primary care doctors to get specialists' advice for their patients and expedite referrals for those who need in-person appointments. About a quarter of the requests included in the study were resolved without patients needing to see an advanced-care doctor, though there was variation among the specialties.

"It completely changed how specialty care was delivered in a safety net system," said Michael Barnett, an assistant professor of health policy and management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and lead author of the study.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services provides care for about 670,000 patients each year in a system that includes four hospitals, 19 health centers and dozens of community providers. The system serves a low-income population -- mostly uninsured or covered by Medi-Cal -- who traditionally have had difficulty getting access to specialty care.

The eConsult system handles over 17,000 requests each month. About 4,500 providers from more than 400 clinics use the system, according to the county. In 2016, the program served about 130,000 patients.

One of the major benefits of the eConsult system is that it centralizes requests for care from specialists such as cardiologists, neurologists or gynecologists, Barnett said.

Primary care doctors using eConsult have access to a secure, web-based portal to make requests for assistance from specialists. A specialist "reviewer" responds and helps the primary care physician decide how best to manage the patient's condition.

That may mean giving advice, suggesting a specific treatment or recommending the patient see a specialist. If a patient needs a visit right away, the system allows for an expedited appointment.

In many cases, primary care doctors can resolve clinical issues with their patients simply by having a conversation, Barnett said. "Many referrals are for issues that could be resolved pretty easily if a primary care doctor could get a specialist's attention," he said.

That means those patients wouldn't need to take another day off work, figure out transportation across town and wait to see a specialist, said Paul Giboney, director of specialty care for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Instead, the care could be delivered in the offices of their primary care doctors.

About 30 percent of patients who needed a face-to-face visit with a specialist in 2015 were able to get one within 30 days, up from 24 percent in 2014.

Difficulty getting appointments with specialists is a challenge for low-income patients across the United States. Without timely access, patients may get sicker and turn to the emergency room for care.

That was happening on a large scale in L.A. County before the implementation of the eConsult program. Some patients had to wait more than nine months for an appointment with a urologist or a gastroenterologist, for example, the study said.

The eConsult program started as an experiment to reduce the backlog, but Giboney said the county's public health care system is now using it "day in and day out."

Despite the size and complexity of the Los Angeles County health care system, the eConsult program works efficiently, suggesting that "specialty access is not an intractable problem," the study said.

Giboney said the results show that electronic conversations between primary care doctors and specialists can improve the way business is done.

"Within a day, the specialist is already engaged and adding something to the patient's care," he said. "We are a public system that is delivering a speed of specialty care that is really unmatched."

Since eConsult was rolled out in L.A. County, Giboney said he has talked to providers from Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut about starting similar programs.

Despite the efficiency of the system, Barnett said, there is still room for improvement on the wait times. The average amount of time it took for a patient to see a specialist in 2015 was still 52 days, though it had dropped about 17 percent from 63 days in 2014.

Patients who needed ear, nose and throat doctors and those who had kidney problems, cancer or blood diseases saw the most dramatic reductions in waiting time. The wait to see an ear, nose and throat specialist, for example, dropped from 72 to 44 days.

Wait times increased in only one of the dozen specialties examined: Patients had to wait on average 75 days in 2015 to see a podiatrist, up from 65 the previous year.

Barnett said the next step is to study the impact of the program on quality of care.

Giboney said he isn't satisfied with the wait times either, despite the reduction, but he noted that sometimes doctors want patients to wait a few weeks to see if a treatment is working before going to see a specialist.

"It is not always about reducing the wait time," Giboney said. "It's about delivering the right specialty care at the right time."

NetChemistry's eConsult System Lowers Wait Times for Access to Specialists

Boston MA, March 2017

Originally posted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Low-income patients served by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) waited significantly less time to receive specialty care after DHS implemented an electronic system aimed at expediting access to specialists, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The findings provide some of the first evidence suggesting that using a web-based platform could improve access to specialists for underserved patients in any health system with significant constraints on specialty supply and access.

The study was published March 6, 2017 in the March issue of Health Affairs.

"In the Department of Health Services, primary care providers often had enormous difficulty getting timely specialty care for their low-income patients," said lead author Michael Barnett, assistant professor of health policy and management at Harvard Chan School. "We found that adoption of a centralized, electronic system for specialty care led to sustainable improvements in access to care."

In 2012, the Los Angeles County DHS rolled out the "eConsult" system - an electronic system that enabled primary care providers to request assistance from specialists via a web-based platform with rapid specialist review and triage. eConsult replaced the old system of phone calls, emails, and faxes, which often left patients waiting months for face-to-face appointments.

After three years of steady growth, the eConsult system was in use by over 3,000 primary care providers, and 12,082 consultations were taking place each month. By 2015, median time to an electronic response from a specialist was just one day, and one quarter of eConsults were resolved without a specialist visit.

In addition, the median wait time to see a specialist decreased 17.4%, from 63 to 52 days. And the percentage of appointments scheduled within 30 days of the initial request increased from 24% to 30.2%.

"eConsult has helped Los Angeles County transform itself from a health system characterized by fragmentation of care and long wait times into an integrated health system in which a community of connected providers works together to meet the needs of our patients," said Paul Giboney, director of specialty care at the LA County DHS and senior author of the study.

The study was supported by the California Health Care Foundation and the Blue Shield Foundation of California.

"Los Angeles Safety-Net Program eConsult System Was Rapidly Adopted And Decreased Wait Times To See Specialists," Michael L. Barnett, Hal F. Yee Jr., Ateev Mehrotra, Paul Giboney, Health Affairs, March 6, 2017, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1283

About Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives - not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health.

Improving Behavioral Care for Vulnerable Populations, L.A. Care Health Plan Expands eManagement System to Increase Access and Electronic Care Coordination between Community-based Physicians and the L.A. County Dept. of Mental Health

Newport Beach CA, January 2017

eManagement Enables Primary Care Physicians to Provide Behavioral Health Assessments in the Medical Home - Expediting Early Identification and Treatment

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that L.A. Care Health Plan (L.A. Care) is expanding the eManagement system to connect community-based physicians with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LADMH).

L.A. Care will provide over 200 private practice physicians with direct, electronic communication to LADMH through the eManagement system developed by NetChemistry. In addition to improving access and care coordination with behavioral health providers, the platform will facilitate early identification and triaging of patients with depression - the most prevalent mental health disorder in primary care.

"We are excited to expand and expedite access to quality mental health care for our members," shares L.A. Care CEO John Baackes. "Mental and physical health are inextricably linked - to be successful we must provide a holistic and closely coordinated approach to care management. With this technology we can help facilitate the communication necessary for better care, while reducing barriers for primary and specialty care physicians - and for their patients."

With this system, primary care physicians (PCPs) treating L.A. Care patients will be able to quickly access LADMH providers with electronic peer-to-peer consultations (eConsults) for inquiries on treatment guidelines or medication management. In addition, integrated assessments - including the Patient Health Questionnaire or "PHQ" - enable PCPs to screen patients for depression and other conditions during their appointment, in the trusted environment of their medical home.

If a referral for mental health services is appropriate, PCPs can simply and expeditiously connect patients with the right provider for their needs - and prioritize referral for patients who are at higher risk. The assessment scores and key elements of the patient history accompany the electronic referral - ensuring a more informed and effective first visit with the behavioral specialist.

"Mental health providers and primary care physicians have long recognized the need for more coordinated care - but the day-to-day barriers of our healthcare system have made that exceedingly difficult," shares Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We're honored to partner in this unique public/private initiative that improves access and makes physician-to-physician communication truly scalable; it's exciting to see the potential of technology applied in such a meaningful area."

About L.A. Care
L.A. Care Health Plan (Local Initiative Health Authority of Los Angeles County) is a public entity and community-accountable health plan serving residents of Los Angeles County through a variety of health coverage programs including L.A. Care Covered™, Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Cal MediConnect Plan, L.A. Care's Healthy Kids and PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan. L.A. Care is a leader in developing new programs through innovative partnerships designed to provide health coverage to vulnerable populations and to support the safety net. With more than 2 million members, L.A. Care is the nation's largest publicly operated health plan. http://www.lacare.org/

Medical Home Network expanding innovative health care model to Cook County's safety net population

Chicago IL, December 2016

Medical Home Network's (MHN) innovative model for coordinating care and utilization of web-based technology to improve health care delivery was expanded to the entire Cook County Health and Hospitals System's (CCHHS) Medicaid managed care population thanks to a vote by the CCHHS Board of Directors, MHN announced today.

"Cook County is at a time in our history when we must find new and innovative ways to address the health care needs and challenges of our patient population, while continuing to reduce the cost of care," said Dr. Jay Shannon, chief executive officer of CCHHS. "Our board's decision to continue our partnership with MHN is one of the ways we will be working to achieve that objective. I look forward to the results we will achieve together through growing the role of MHN."

MHN and CCHHS have successfully partnered to deliver better, more efficient health care to approximately 150,000 patients enrolled in CCHHS's managed care plan, CountyCare. Today, CCHHS expands MHN's connectivity to include all of the CountyCare population and services provided by, as allowed by law, mental health providers, substance abuse providers, immediate and urgent care centers, and Cermak Health Services, which provides health care to the 9,000 detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections. Connecting the broader county medical system of hospitals, clinics and primary care providers enables better care management for patients within the CountyCare system.

"We are excited to continue building on our partnership with the Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems as we expand MHNConnect to more broadly connect vital parts of the health care system," said Cheryl Lulias, president and executive director of Medical Home Network. "Our partnership has been uniquely successful due to a shared commitment to improve the health outcomes of a growing safety net patient population while reducing the cost of care."

MHNConnect is a secure, web-based portal that shares real-time patient information between doctors, hospitals, and clinics and integrates historical health records into one platform to allow for coordination of patient care. MHNConnect generates a real-time alert if a patient is hospitalized and notifies their primary care provider and their care coordinator to provide for timely follow-up care, reducing the probability that the patient will need to be readmitted to the hospital.

MHN currently connects 197 clinics, 21 hospitals, more than 1,600 primary care providers, and more than 150,000 patients in some of Cook County's most vulnerable communities. Since July 2014, MHN has provided more than 1.6 million real-time alerts, facilitated approximately 1,300 follow-up appointments per month, and enabled approximately 100,000 transitions of care for CountyCare members.

By enhancing collaboration, communication and integration across this network, MHN significantly reduces the number of hospital admissions and improves overall health outcomes for patients at safety net health centers like Esperanza Health Centers on Chicago's Southwest Side.

"More than half the residents in our service area experience significant economic, educational, and health disparities," said Chief Executive Officer Dan Fulwiler of Esperanza Health Centers, a founding partner of MHN. "Our partnership with MHN has been invaluable in improving health care delivery for our patients."

MHN's model resulted in a 130.4 percent increase in timely patient follow-up visits, a 25 percent decrease in 30-day hospital readmissions, and a decrease in the overall cost of care for each patient for Esperanza Health Centers.

"MHN is committed to applying our proven, technology-enabled model and track record of results for the entire CountyCare population," continued Lulias.

About Medical Home Network
Medical Home Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit Chicago-based health care collaborative devoted to transforming health care delivery for Chicago Medicaid patients by fostering collaboration and innovation among safety net providers. The Medical Home Network collaborative consists of leaders from 12 health care organizations, who continue to have an equal voice in decision-making at Medical Home Network. In addition, Medical Home Network has grown its connectivity to 21 hospitals and more than 170 primary care entities, using MHNConnect to enable information exchange among disparate providers and monitoring of patient hospital utilization by care managers. The Medical Home Network portal captures 60 percent of CountyCare member patient activity as it occurs, benefitting the overall health care for almost 170,000 CountyCare patients. The MHN ACO, a provider-owned LLC, was launched as one of CountyCare's network of providers in August of 2014. More information is available at www.MHNChicago.org.

About CountyCare
In 2012, Cook County's Health & Hospitals System formed CountyCare enrolling newly eligible Medicaid patients under the Affordable Care Act. CountyCare has evolved into a managed care community network of locally owned and operated managed care organizations, enrolling patients who are eligible for Medicaid coverage. More information about CountyCare is available at www.CountyCare.com.

NetChemistry's eConsult Technology Brings Specialty Services to School-Based Health Centers in Rural New Mexico

Newport Beach CA, September 2016

Electronic Specialty Care Consultations to Improve Access, Equity, and Care Coordination for At-risk, Underserved Children

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare technology for organizations assisting underserved populations, announced today that the company's award-winning eConsult technology will be used by Connecticut-based Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) and CHC's research arm, the Weitzman Institute, in a ground-breaking telehealth network to assist New Mexico school-based health centers (SBHCs) in bringing quality specialty care services to underprivileged children in remote areas of the state. The new program has been funded through a $1.1 million award by the federal HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program.

NetChemistry's eConsult technology, which is used extensively by public and private healthcare organizations across the nation, will provide unprecedented access to specialty care for high-risk children in New Mexico's frontier areas by facilitating web-based communications between SBHC providers and specialty care providers in the areas of behavioral health, cardiology, endocrinology and pulmonology.

"While the Affordable Care Act has greatly improved healthcare access for children - those living in rural areas with limited specialist availability still face substantial inequity," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "The New Mexico SBHC program is especially significant, as it marks the inaugural application of NetChemistry's eConsult technology within an exclusively youth-based population, paving the way for quality healthcare services for all children, regardless of geographic location."

"NetChemistry's extensive work within rural populations throughout the country makes their eConsult technology the perfect tool for this new initiative," says Mark Masselli, CHC's President and CEO. "We are excited to partner with a mission-driven organization like NetChemistry to bring specialty care to the underserved children of New Mexico."

NetChemistry's eConsult platform provides high quality specialty advice at a patient's local clinic within 48 hours. Published outcomes demonstrate shorter specialty care wait times, reduction in the need for face-to-face specialty visits and travel, reduced emergency room utilization, and lower costs while maintaining high quality of care. As part of the New Mexico SBHC program, CHC will track program success through outcomes measurement in behavioral health, obesity, diabetes and asthma.

About Community Health Center
Since 1972, Community Health Center, Inc. has been one of the leading healthcare providers in the state of Connecticut, building a world-class primary health care system committed to caring for uninsured and underserved populations. CHC is focused on improving health outcomes for its more than 150,000 patients as well as building healthy communities. Recognized as both a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and a Primary Care Medical Home by The Joint Commission, CHC delivers service in more than 200 locations statewide, offering primary care in medical, dental and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.chc1.com

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has been a leading creator of healthcare technology that makes it easier for providers and institutions to increase access to care, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices, and improve quality. With a mission to improve health equity, NetChemistry has helped public and private healthcare organizations across the nation successfully reach over 5 million low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

eConsult Care Coordination System Offers Effective Interoperability Workaround for Meaningful Use Objective 5 in Los Angeles County

Newport Beach CA, August 2016

Connecting Medical Home and Specialists - eConsult Also Enables Secure, Electronic CCD Delivery for Providers

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology that increases care coordination and access to evidence-based care, is pleased to announce that the company's eConsult technology - a specialty care referral system that enables secure, online collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists - also offers an effective interoperability workaround for providers seeking to achieve Meaningful Use (MU) Objective 5 under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Program.

MU Objective 5 requires providers with 100 or more referrals during the MU yearly reporting period to send a Continuity of Care Document or "CCD" (which is generated from a certified EHR system) via a secure, electronic exchange for 10% of their patients. Despite widespread adoption of EHR systems by primary care providers in Los Angeles County, many challenges remain in the secure transmission of CCDs, including:

• Limited interoperability in health information technology (HIT)
• Lack of a health information exchange (HIE) network
• Many specialists have not yet adopted EHRs

Community health centers (CHCs) may be further challenged with financial barriers. The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), the largest regional association and advocacy group for nonprofit and free clinics in California, worked with NetChemistry to utilize the eConsult system (which Is widely employed by public and private healthcare providers and systems across LA County) as an effective workaround for community health centers in meeting MU Objective 5 requirements.

"eConsult already plays a critical role for underserved and safety net populations in Los Angeles, by increasing access to specialty care at our community and federally qualified health centers," says Aisha Iqbal, Director of HealthIT at CCALAC. "And by providing a secure method for delivery of CCDs, the platform is further supporting these centers in achieving their mission of providing the highest quality and continuity of care."

Using the heath center's existing workflow to minimize impact to providers and staff - the CCD is generated using the center's certified EHR technology, then attached and securely transmitted within the eConsult system. Utilizing the eConsult CCD workaround, LA county-based CHCs and specialists are successfully sharing health information to improve care coordination and provide the highest quality patient care.

"Community and federally-qualified health centers serve as the frontline for our nation's underserved and underinsured populations," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We are honored to support their important work, and pleased to be able to provide a bridge solution that enables them to qualify for mission-critical CMS incentives while the challenges of interoperability are resolved."

For more information about the eConsult CCD workaround in LA County, visit the project overview in the Interoperability Proving Ground of www.HealthIT.gov

About Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County
The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) is the largest regional association of nonprofit community and free clinics in California. Founded in 1994, CCALAC has 58 members that operate nearly 300 clinic sites throughout the County. These clinics serve nearly 1.4 million patients per year, the majority of whom are uninsured or underinsured. CCALAC is dedicated to serving and representing the interests of its member clinics as providers of quality health care, including medical, dental and pharmacy services. For more information about CCALAC, visit www.ccalac.org

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has been a leading creator of healthcare technology that makes it easier for providers and institutions to increase access to care, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices and improve quality. With a mission to improve health equity, NetChemistry has helped public and private healthcare organizations across the nation successfully reach over 5 million low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

Healthcare Organizations in Los Angeles County Earn eConsult Certification from Weitzman Institute

Newport Beach CA, August 2016

Community Clinic Association of LA County and Three Prominent Community Health Centers Utilizing NetChemistry's eConsult Telemedicine System Participate in a Course Designed to Facilitate Best Practices in Organizational Change and Care Management

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that four Los Angeles (LA) County healthcare organizations have earned eConsult Certification in the inaugural session of Connecticut-based Weitzman Institute's "eConsult Practice Facilitator Certification Training" - a new, independent educational program for healthcare organizations that utilize electronic store-and-forward consultation technology, or "eConsult."

Participating in the Certification program were four LA-based healthcare groups: Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), the largest regional association and advocacy group for nonprofit and free clinics in California; and three Community Health Centers (CHCs) that have been using NetChemistry's eConsult system for two or more years - Northeast Valley Health Corporation, one of the nation's largest CHCs; Arroyo Vista Family Health Foundation, a nonprofit, community based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC); and Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center, one of seven comprehensive health centers operated by the LA Department of Health Services (LADHS). Attendees included administrators and medical officers with a common goal of utilizing eConsult data to drive lasting change.

eConsult is an online collaboration tool designed by NetChemistry that electronically connects primary care physicians with specialists to bring cost-effective, high-quality specialty care into the medical home. The eConsult system provides clinics with a wealth of population and practice management data, and Weitzman's eConsult Certification curriculum is designed to give eConsult program administrators actionable insights to increase information sharing, meet quality standards, and inform new care processes - inspiring a vision of telehealth's growing role within clinic workflow management. Organizations with Certified eConsult facilitators will be better positioned to achieve key meaningful use and care management objectives.

"CHCs across LA County are adopting new technologies such as NetChemistry's eConsult - a cost-effective model for enhanced continuity of care and improved health outcomes," says Aisha Iqbal, Director of HealthIT at CCALAC. "The Weitzman eConsult Certification provides the CCALAC team with excellent tools and resources to help our members' maximize the full potential of the eConsult system to promote positive change within their organizations."

"So many parties and roles are needed to implement change - it can be a challenge to incorporate the varying ideas and needs within an organization," says Raymond Perry, M.D., Director of Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center. "We need easier and more effective ways to learn from each other and make decisions, so we can move forward in agreement on priorities and plans for change that help us achieve our mission. The certification program has given us real-world methods for integrating telehealth into our workflows - and actionable strategies for sharing the vision with our team through positive communication and collaboration."

"The Weitzman eConsult Certification program provides healthcare leaders with tools and techniques to translate the insights from the eConsult system into actionable strategies that can be employed across their organization," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "eConsult has significantly improved specialty access and care coordination for individual patients - we are excited to see the resulting data leveraged at the population level, to further improve healthcare outcomes, costs, and efficiency."

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has been a leading creator of healthcare technology that makes it easier for providers and institutions to increase access to care, streamline care coordination, promote evidence-based practices and improve quality. With a mission to improve health equity, NetChemistry has helped public and private healthcare organizations across the nation successfully reach over 5 million low-income, underserved individuals with affordable, effective patient-centered care. For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

NetChemistry's eConsult System Links California State Hospital's Norwalk Facility with LA County Department of Health Services for Unprecedented Access to Specialty Care

Newport Beach CA, June 2016

Expert Specialty Advice Delivered Through Electronic Consultations - Promoting Efficiency, Cost Reduction, and Appropriate Medical Care for Psychiatric Patients

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that California Department of State Hospitals - Metropolitan (DSH-Metropolitan), one of five DSH-managed California state psychiatric hospitals caring for patients who have been mandated for treatment by a criminal or civil court judge, will use NetChemistry's eConsult system to provide patients with onsite specialty care services and referrals through the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS).

DSH-Metropolitan, located in Norwalk, Los Angeles County, operates 750 beds for psychiatric patients who typically have more medical issues than the general population. Historically, obtaining specialty care for state hospital patients at county medical centers has been a disjointed process between separate entities and facilities - oftentimes resulting in emergency room utilization for non-emergent issues like dermatology, endocrinology, or gastroenterology. NetChemistry's eConsult system creates unprecedented connectivity and collaboration between DSH-Metropolitan physicians and LADHS specialists at the LAC + USC Medical Center, providing direct access to specialty care through electronic consultations and pre-qualified referrals.

How eConsult Connects DSH-Metropolitan with County Specialists. NetChemistry's eConsult technology facilitates a convenient online connection between DSH-Metropolitan staff and LAC + USC specialists - allowing them to easily share notes, charts, and labs to create individualized patient plans in a timely fashion (often in just 1-2 days). eConsult gives DSH-Metropolitan physicians a method for resolving many specialty issues directly on campus, which alleviates the stress, expense, and liability associated with transporting patients offsite. For patients who need a face-to-face, eConsult provides an avenue for pre-qualified specialty referrals to the LAC + USC Medical Center, reducing the burden of ER utilization for non-emergent issues.

"At DSH-Metropolitan, we house an aging population of chronically severely ill patients," says Dr. Michael Barsom, Executive Director of DSH-Metropolitan. "Our 60-bed skilled nursing facility is always full, and there is always a waiting list. eConsult gives us a direct link to specialty care - it's like being right there on the LAC + USC campus. It eliminates the need to transport patients for an initial evaluation, and often provides specialty care without the need to even leave the building at all, which saves time, effort, and expense."

"DSH-Metropolitan is a dedicated, enthusiastic partner," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We are thrilled for this opportunity to help them connect with LADHS for enhanced onsite specialty care and electronic referrals. We look forward to a lasting relationship with DSH and the potential for extending our services to the statewide DSH network."

About DSH-Metropolitan
DSH-Metropolitan is one of five state hospitals run by the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to care for patients who are under a civil conservatorship or have committed or are accused of committing crimes related to mental illness. The DHS mission is to provide evaluation and treatment in a safe and responsible manner, seeking innovation and excellence in hospital operations across a continuum of care and settings. The hospital partners with colleges and universities throughout Southern California and provides opportunities for elective rotations for medical students and resident physicians. For more information, please visit www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. The LADHS mission is to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective health care to Los Angeles County residents through direct services at DHS facilities and through collaboration with community and university partners. For more information, please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

NetChemistry's eConsult Telehealth Technology Expands Specialty Care Access for HealthyCT Members, in Partnership with Community eConsult Network

Newport Beach CA, May 2016

High-Risk, Underserved Patients Receive Specialty Advice in Their Medical Home Within 2 Days

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that HealthyCT, Connecticut's non-profit health insurance CO-OP, will utilize NetChemistry's eConsult technology under contract with Community eConsult Network (CeCN) (a program of Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC), Connecticut's largest primary care provider for the underserved, and CHC's Weitzman Institute) to provide timely access to quality specialty care for high-risk, underserved HealthyCT members.

Based on exceptional results of a year-long eConsult pilot within CHC, CeCN was established to serve as an eConsult hub - not only for CHC patients, but also for patients across Connecticut and beyond. HealthyCT's agreement with CeCN opens the door for patients and providers across Connecticut to gain access to NetChemistry's valuable eConsult tool.

In March 2016, HealthyCT rolled out a customized version of the CeCN eConsult program - powered by NetChemistry's award-winning eConsult technology platform - to Community Health Centers across Connecticut, with plans to expand the program to additional practices in the coming months. Fully funded by HealthyCT, eConsult is provided at no cost to participating centers or patients, in an effort to improve care coordination and communication between primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists, increase specialty care access, and reduce healthcare costs.

The HealthyCT eConsult system gives participating PCPs a convenient way to connect with specialists in areas such as cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, pain management, and endocrinology - with more specialties to be added over time. When a patient has a concern that may need specialty attention, PCPs can use the eConsult portal to securely submit questions and relevant patient information such as chart notes and lab results - and a specialist will review the information and provide advice within two business days. This eliminates wait times and travel for those who do not require a face-to-face, keeps more patients in their medical home, and reserves specialty appointments for pre-qualified individuals.

"CeCN has a nationwide mission to help organizations such as HealthyCT leverage next-generation technology like NetChemistry's eConsult platform to improve healthcare for underserved populations," says Daren Anderson, MD, Director of Weitzman Institute, and Vice President, Chief Quality Officer of CHC. "Because eConsult technology gives primary care physicians convenient and direct access to specialists, we are seeing outstanding outcomes in continuity of care, access, cost reduction, and quality of health."

"We are thrilled to be part of CeCN's efforts to expand eConsult across the nation in partnership with pioneering organizations like HealthyCT," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "What an exciting advancement in role of telehealth technology for improving healthcare access, coordination, and equity for millions of Americans."

About HealthyCT
Founded by physicians, HealthyCT opened for business in 2013 with a mission to provide Connecticut residents with comprehensive health insurance and easy access to quality healthcare. It is committed to developing an innovative, progressive health plan that ensures the delivery of patient-centered care for individuals, families and businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional for-profit insurance companies, any profits generated by HealthyCT are to be used to stabilize or reduce premiums to consumers and businesses, and/or to enhance plan benefits and services. For more information, please visit www.HealthyCT.org

About Community eConsult Network
Community eConsult Network (CeCN) is a novel collaboration of primary care practices, payers, state government, and academia led by Community Health Center, Inc. Partners include: Community Health Center, Inc., Weitzman Institute, UConn Health Center, Penobscot Community Health Care of Maine, and select private practice groups across Connecticut. CeCN links primary care practices to specialty care providers through eConsult technology to increase access to specialty care for medically underserved populations; to improve efficiency, health outcomes, and quality; and to create better communication and collaboration between primary care providers and specialists. For more information, please visit www.weitzmaninstitute.org/econsults

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

Connecticut Medicaid is First in Nation to Approve Reimbursement for eConsult Telehealth Solution from NetChemistry in partnership with Community Health Center, Inc.

Newport Beach CA, May 2016

In a Landmark Decision, Underserved Medicaid Recipients in Connecticut Are Eligible to Receive Free, Timely Access to Specialty Care via eConsult Technology

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based care coordination solutions, is pleased to announce that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have approved payment by Medicaid to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Connecticut for electronic consultations (eConsults) with medical specialists. NetChemistry's proprietary eConsult platform is utilized by Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) to provide increased access to expert care for the state's medically underserved population.

Daren Anderson, MD, Director of Weitzman Institute, and Vice President, Chief Quality Officer of CHC of Connecticut has been instrumental in working with the Department of Social Services to obtain reimbursement status for the eConsult program. "Garnering Medicaid reimbursement approval for healthcare initiatives is a complex process," explains Anderson. "Eligible programs must demonstrate solid proof of efficacy, cost savings, and ongoing value; we were able to meet these objectives through the positive outcomes of a year-long pilot that utilized NetChemistry's eConsult technology to enhance specialty care within our CHC health centers."

With limited specialty providers available to treat Medicaid patients, appointment wait times can be as long as a year, leading to healthcare disparities, higher rates of disability, and complications in chronic diseases. NetChemistry's eConsult system has been proven to increase access to timely, cost-effective specialty services for underinsured and underserved patients, many of whom live in rural areas with limited access to specialty care. CHC has used NetChemistry's eConsult technology to facilitate over 1000 eConsults between primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists at FQHCs across Connecticut, in fields such as cardiology, dermatology, and endocrinology - demonstrating an ability to provide specialty advice for patients through the PCP office in less than one day on average, with 89 percent of specialty needs resolved within the medical home. As of January 2016, CHC has begun contracting with state and federal agencies, as well as private insurers, to provide the NetChemistry eConsult system to medically underserved patients across the U.S.

"What an honor for CMS to recognize NetChemistry's eConsult technology as a valuable tool for enhanced specialty care within Medicaid populations," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "Together with CHC, the Weitzman Institute, and health care providers across the nation, we are excited to leverage our innovative telehealth technology as a cost-effective means for breaking down the barriers of inequity and disparity - offering better health for all, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status."

How NetChemistry eConsult Works. When a patient has a concern that may need specialty attention, PCPs can use the eConsult portal to securely submit questions and relevant patient information such as chart notes and lab results - a specialist will review the information and provide specific advice, often in less than two business days. This eliminates wait times and travel for those who do not require a face-to-face, keeps more patients in their medical home, and reserves specialty appointments for pre-qualified individuals.

About Community Health Center
Since 1972, Community Health Center, Inc. has been one of the leading healthcare providers in the state of Connecticut, building a world-class primary health care system committed to caring for uninsured and underserved populations. CHC is focused on improving health outcomes for its more than 130,000 patients as well as building healthy communities. Recognized as both a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and a Primary Care Medical Home by The Joint Commission, CHC delivers service in more than 200 locations statewide, offering primary care in medical, dental and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.chc1.com

About The Weitzman Institute
The Weitzman Institute is the research and innovation arm of Community Health Center, Inc., dedicated to inspiring primary care innovation and improving health outcomes for the medically underserved. With its expertise in quality improvement, the Weitzman Institute is partnering with organizations around the globe to transform the primary care delivery system through research, training and education. For more information, visit www.weitzmaninstitute.org.

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

Partnership HealthPlan of California Rapidly Expands Successful Pilot of NetChemistry eConsult System to Increase Specialty Care Access Throughout Northern California

Newport Beach CA, April 2016

TeleMed2U to Provide Integrated Televideo Services for Enhanced Specialty Network

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC) has expanded the implementation of its NetChemistry eConsult pilot to begin a full rollout that includes twelve northern California health clinics with poor access to specialty care. This pilot expansion launched in February 2016 - a full year earlier than anticipated.

PHC's initial six-month eConsult pilot commenced in May 2015 within two federally qualified northern California health centers serving a large Medicaid population with inadequate access to specialty care. The pilot enabled PHC-affiliated primary care physicians at Open Door and Marin Community Clinics to electronically consult with specialists in four distinct specialty fields, facilitating the delivery of specialty care within the primary care office and providing timely services for members living hundreds of miles from a specialist.

The overwhelming success of the eConsult pilot has fueled PHC's desire for a swift expansion to twelve additional rural and suburban clinics and six total specialty fields, with plans for further inclusion of prospective provider and specialty groups in the following months. As PHC serves over half a million members in fourteen counties, the eConsult system has the potential to reach hundreds of northern California clinics.

"Expanding the eConsult program will serve our mission of providing timely, high-quality specialty care to many individuals," said Dr. Robert Moore, Chief Medical Officer for PHC. "The proof is in the numbers. NetChemistry's eConsult technology provides the ability to make positive changes in the health and wellbeing of thousands of rural northern Californians in the convenience of their primary care offices, saving valuable time and resources."

As part of program expansion, PHC had broadened its specialty network beyond the four initial fields involved in the pilot by partnering with TeleMed2U, a company that offers real-time access to physician specialists through the use of televideo services. In collaboration with TeleMed2U, PHC has been able to provide patients with access to specialty care services that were previously in short supply, such as Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, and Dermatology. PHC plans to add more specialty services to its eConsult system as more specialists become available.

"Throughout the pilot period, our partnership with PHC has been productive and inspiring," said Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "Both organizations have laser focus on best practices for improving specialty care access and increasing health equity among underserved populations. It speaks volumes that PHC has decided to share the benefits of the eConsult system within a broader group of clinics and specialty care providers, including the outstanding team at TeleMed2U."

About Partnership HealthPlan of California

Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC) is a non-profit community based health care organization that contracts with the State to administer Medi-Cal benefits through local care providers to ensure Medi-Cal recipients have access to high-quality comprehensive cost-effective health care. PHC provides quality health care to over 560,000 members. Beginning in Solano County in 1994, PHC now provides services to 14 Northern California counties - Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity and Yolo. For more information, visit www.partnershiphp.org

About NetChemistry

Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

HealthyCT, Weitzman Institute Team on eConsults

Middletown CT, March 2016

By the Hartford Business Journal

Connecticut nonprofit health insurance co-op HealthyCT has signed a contract with the Weitzman Institute's Community eConsult Network for electronic consultations (eConsults) between primary care physicians and specialists.

HealthyCT says it's the first private insurer in the state to pay for eConsults for its insured through this program.

The eConsult program will allow primary care physicians (PCPs) to confer and share charts and films securely with colleagues in several specialties and receive answers to their questions within two business days. There is no cost to the patient and eConsults eliminate wait times for specialty care appointments and support better care coordination by the PCP, according to a joint news release.

eConsults are first being rolled out to HealthyCT members who see primary care docs at Community Health Centers. The program will expand to practices enrolled in HealthyCT's Advanced Practice Medical Payment Model.

The eConsults program initially will be available for referrals to cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, pain management and endocrinology.

Apps and Technology Help Low Income People Access Healthcare

Chicago IL, March 2016

A report by Medill News Service on healthcare in Chicago features eConsult!

Read the full article

NetChemistry's eConsult System Recognized at 2016 HIMSS Conference

Newport Beach CA, March 2016

Electronic Specialty Care Coordination Is Transforming Healthcare Access & Quality for South LA's Underserved

At a HIMSS Conference presentation yesterday, Sajid Ahmed, Chief Information & Innovation Officer of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH) highlighted the role of NetChemistry's eConsult system in L.A. County and the potential to support a "medical home" model.

Launched in July 2015, MLKCH implemented the infrastructure for a connected "e" hospital, including telehealth tools like eConsult, to provide specialty-care coordination for South Los Angeles's safety net population. South L.A.'s ethnically diverse, low-income, underinsured community of over 1.35 million has long struggled with barriers to care such as unreliable transportation, transient housing, low health literacy, and chronic health conditions. Prior to MLKCH, Ahmed worked at L.A. Care Health Plan and helped to launch eConsult for L.A. County. L.A. County's adoption of NetChemistry's eConsult system helped overcome obstacles to specialty care access including long appointment wait times, no-shows, inconsistent protocols, lack of coordinated care between providers, and medically unnecessary referrals.

In his HIMSS presentation, Ahmed talked about the role of eConsult in overcoming barriers to access by facilitating efficient specialty care management through electronic coordination between primary care and specialty care providers. Initial outcomes demonstrated faster access to high quality specialty care, offering electronic consultation services from over 432 specialists in 86 specialties - and 30% of cases resolved in the medical home without the need for a specialty appointment.

"The eConsult system allows patients to remain in their medical home and resolve issues more quickly," said Ahmed. "It minimizes transportation barriers, and it means less time away from work. Benefits like these have increased our patients' satisfaction with their care to 94.4 percent, as compared to a California peer group at 86 percent. The cost implications are significant as well; more efficient care coordination, better utilization of specialty care services, reduction in re-admission rates, and timely post discharge follow-up will help keep healthcare costs under control."

"The innovative work of Sajid Ahmed and the MLKCH team is changing the way this nation thinks about the delivery of healthcare for underserved populations," said Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We are thrilled to be a part of this important undertaking, helping to shape the future of the medical home model with technology assisted care coordination across the continuum."

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Offers NetChemistry's eConsult Solution to Address Zika Virus in Collaboration with the LA Department of Public Health

Newport Beach CA, March 2016

Electronic Portal Designed to Help Physicians Quickly Identify, Counsel, and Triage Suspected Zika Virus Cases within LA's Underserved Safety Net Population

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) and Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH) Acute Communicable Diseases in collaboration with NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, are pleased to announce an innovative eConsult portal that provides physicians with important information and advice regarding the recent Zika virus outbreak, a mosquito-transmitted infection that may be associated with birth defects such as microcephaly, intracranial calcification, and other abnormalities.

Declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" by the World Health Organization, the Zika virus outbreak has left public health officials searching for solutions to facilitate timely communication among healthcare practitioners. Leadership at LADPH, LADHS, and NetChemistry have collaborated to develop a proactive technology solution that addresses this critical need for peer-to-peer provider communication to improve response time and quality of care for patients. In early February, LADHS addressed the urgent need for a Zika virus action plan within LA County's population of 10 million underinsured and underserved by adding the Zika Virus "specialty" to their eConsult platform.

Zika Virus eConsult facilitates communication between frontline LADHS and LADPH healthcare providers and knowledgeable Specialists with expertise in how to treat and manage the virus. Through the eConsult online portal, physicians are walked through a step-by-step, standardized protocol for testing, managing, and communicating with patients regarding the Zika virus infection, including up-to-date CDC guidelines and geographic risk information, plus an ultrasound appointment triage system for pregnant women who may be at risk.

"We have employed a similar application of eConsult to manage peer-to-peer communication for the infectious disease Tuberculosis within our population. eConsult provides us with a nimble and effective platform for responding to emerging infectious diseases like the Zika virus outbreak." says Dr. Paul Giboney, Director of Specialty Care for DHS.

"The Zika virus has left physicians and patients overwhelmed with breaking news reports - yet hampered by a lack of standardization in detection and testing protocols," says Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry. "We are honored to be a part of LADPH-DHS's proactive plan, which will bring time-sensitive resources to medical personnel for more informed patient care."

About Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. www.PublicHealth.LACounty.gov

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. The LADHS mission is to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective health care to Los Angeles County residents through direct services at DHS facilities and through collaboration with community and university partners. www.dhs.lacounty.gov

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

Community Health Center, Inc. and NetChemistry Announce Expansion of eConsult Specialty Care Network to Increase Access for Underserved and Underinsured Populations Across the Nation

Newport Beach CA, January 2016

Community eConsult Network, Inc. (CECN), a subsidiary of Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC), Connecticut's largest primary care provider for the underserved, and NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, today announced a nationwide expansion of CECN/CHC to improve access to specialty care services for patients of health centers throughout the U.S.

This expansion of eConsult services aims to extend the outstanding results of the New England eConsult Network to the rest of the nation through Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary practice (including private) partnerships. The national rollout includes increasing the number of eConsult specialty fields. CECN/CHC will partner with TeleMed2U to provide specialty care consults to rurally located patients, allowing them to receive the care they need without having to travel many miles to a specialty clinic.

"This exciting national expansion is inspired by the extremely positive outcomes we have seen throughout New England," said Daren Anderson, MD, Director of Weitzman Institute, and Vice President, Chief Quality Officer of CHC. "Over the coming months we will be working closely with NetChemistry, TeleMed2U, and clinics across America to replicate these outcomes on a nationwide scale. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of underserved individuals."

Since its inception, CECN/CHC has increased access to timely, cost-effective specialty services for New England's underinsured and underserved patients, many of whom live in rural areas with limited access to specialty care. These patients struggled with long appointment wait times and delayed care. To date, CECN/CHC has facilitated over 1000 electronic clinical consultations between PCPs from CHC and Penobscot Community Health Care - Maine's largest federally FQHC - and specialty physicians at UConn Health in fields such as Cardiology, Dermatology, and Endocrinology. The CECN/CHC initiative has demonstrated an ability to provide eConsults for patients in less than one day on average, and to date 89 percent of participating patients' specialty needs are resolved within the medical home.

How eConsult Works
When a patient has a health complaint that may need specialty attention, their PCP can use eConsult to submit questions and relevant information such as chart notes and lab results via a web-based, HIPAA compliant communication system developed by NetChemistry. This easy-to-use system provides step-by-step decision support and built-in specialty-specific referral guidelines to efficiently triage patients' needs; participating specialists provide recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and referral. While some patients may need to see a specialist, a majority of eConsults provide PCPs with the necessary recommendations to manage patients in the primary care setting with no need for a face-to-face consult, resulting in improved efficiency and patient care.

"The beauty of the eConsult system is that its reach knows no geographic boundaries," said Chris Cruttenden, president of NetChemistry. "Because this is an Internet-based network, we have the ability to partner with marvelous organizations like CHC and TeleMed2U to offer high quality, timely specialty care to millions of people - whether near or far, rural or urban, insured or underinsured. With technology-based solutions like eConsult, disparities and inequity no longer overshadow an individual's ability to receive quality healthcare."

About Community Health Center
Since 1972, Community Health Center, Inc. has been one of the leading healthcare providers in the state of Connecticut, building a world-class primary health care system committed to caring for uninsured and underserved populations. CHC is focused on improving health outcomes for its more than 130,000 patients as well as building healthy communities. Recognized as both a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and a Primary Care Medical Home by The Joint Commission, CHC delivers service in more than 200 locations statewide, offering primary care in medical, dental and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.chc1.com

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

MHN Network Decreases Readmissions

December 2015

The healthcare system in Chicago is fragmented as care is provided by a number of entities with little or no communication taking place between them. The Medical Home Network (MHN) in Chicago www.mhnchicago.org uses technology to communicate enabling healthcare teams to more effectively improve communications with patients in the region.

MHN helps deliver better healthcare to Medicaid patients by using a patient-centered and team-based model of care. According to data from MHNConnect's www.mhnconnect.com web-based care coordination tool, it was found that the team approach to healthcare plus using up-to-date and innovative communication technologies has lowered hospital readmissions, shortened the length of hospital stays, increased follow-up visits with providers, and reduced costs.

MHNConnect was the first technology of its kind to be implemented across disparate entities such as hospitals and primary care practices in Illinois. This technology enables providers and care teams to access to real time and historical data and receive immediate patient activity alerts. Today MHNConnect continues to expand and is currently providing integrated connectivity for 20 hospitals and more than 170 primary care practices.

MHNConnect cares for 170,000 Medicaid patients in Chicago. The facilities utilizing MHNConnect include a number of FQHCs, along with the Mount Sinai Medical Center www.sinai.org, St. Anthony Hospital www.sahchicago.org, Cook County Hospital and Hospital System, www.cookcountyhhs.org, Holy Cross Hospital www.holycrosshospital.org, and La Rabida Children's Hospital www.larabida.org.

"Having access to real time information and up-to-the-minute details pertaining to the patient's health care utilization is invaluable," said Arthur Jones, MD, Chief Medical Officer of MHN and longtime practicing physician on Chicago's West side.

Originally posted on Federal Telemedicine News.

Medical Home Network Achieves Significant Decrease in Hospital Readmissions and Increase in Follow-Up Care through Innovative Care Coordination Exchange

Chicago IL, November 2015

First technology of its kind in Illinois, MHNConnect's innovative connectivity creates care management without boundaries, improving health care delivery

PRNewswire -- In Chicago, Medical Home Network is changing the way health care is being delivered to Medicaid patients through innovative technology combined with a highly efficient, patient-centered, team-based model of care.

This model is being implemented in concert with MHNConnect, a secure web-based care coordination tool that allows real-time data sharing between various entities, like hospitals and primary care practices, effectively connecting care coordinators across the city and bridging gaps in care. As the first technology of its kind to be implemented across disparate entities in Illinois, MHNConnect now enables providers and care teams access to real-time and historical data, plus immediate patient activity alerts, prompting them to log into the system. This marks a major improvement in health care, resulting in better, more informed decision-making at the point of care, plus faster, more coordinated care transitions for patients across the continuum.

The reach of MHNConnect continues to expand and is currently providing integrated connectivity for 20 hospitals and more than 170 primary care practices.
"MHNConnect's connectivity is transforming the way providers collaborate to deliver better care at a lower cost," said Cheryl Lulias, president and executive director of Medical Home Network. "This care model is transforming the way health care is delivered because we are now breaking down the four walls of the doctor's office and extending care delivery to our patients and the entire health care community linked on MHNConnect."

An examination of the data from two years of MHNConnect's implementation (2012-2013) versus a baseline year (2011), reveals there was a significant decrease in hospital readmissions and a substantial increase in timely follow-up visits with primary care doctors among the pioneer early-adopters - specifically six Federally Qualified Health Centers and six hospital systems caring for 170,000 Medicaid patients. Comparing performance year one (2012) to the previous year (baseline), Medical Home Network's partner hospitals and clinics recorded a 12.4 percent reduction in hospital readmissions (within 30 days of being discharged) in year one and 24.8 percent reduction in year two (2013). The number of inpatient hospital days decreased 3.7 percent from baseline in year one and 24.4 percent from baseline in year two. The average length of stay decreased 5.1 percent from baseline in year one and 20.2 percent from baseline in year two. Finally, the cost of care per member per month, decreased 3.3 percent from baseline in year one and 5.0 percent from baseline in year two.
"Data has proven MHNConnect to be a highly efficient and reliable care coordination tool, giving care teams access to their patients' pertinent information and activity, which helps provide a better understanding of the health care history and utilization throughout the system," said Anthony Perry, MD, chief medical officer of Rush University Medical Group, which has been using MHNConnect since its introduction. "Providing that information to physicians empowers them to understand and meet their patients' needs and make the best health care decisions for those patients."

The extended care delivery facilitated by MHNConnect is exemplified by the story of a 34 year-old man, who up until the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, had no medical coverage. After January of 2014, he was assigned to Rush University Medical Group for his primary care. A nurse care coordinator received a real-time alert, logged into the portal, and was able to track his health care usage in the MHNConnect system. The man, who suffers from COPD, diabetes, and sleep apnea was in and out of the emergency department at several hospitals in order to receive care. The care coordinator was able to contact the man and assign him to a primary care physician for his overall care, a pulmonologist for his COPD and dietician for his diabetes. Two days later, she was surprised to receive a MHNConnect real-time alert saying he was in Stroger Hospital's emergency room. He was there to get his blood pressure and glucose levels checked. At this point, he didn't realize that he could have contacted, or even walked into, his medical home at his primary care clinic. The nurse explained this to him and he is now on track to improve his health care, knowing he has a care team he can access at any time. The nurse worked with him to establish a plan and for the first time in his life, he has a health record that his doctor, specialists and care team can review in order to best help him.

The example of this man's improved patient experience, and reduced reliance on Emergency Room care, is part of a growing trend brought about in large part by the providers and care teams who have adopted the use of MHNConnect.
"Having access to real-time information and up-to-the-minute details pertaining to each patient's health care utilization is invaluable," said Arthur Jones, MD, chief medical officer of Medical Home Network and longtime practicing physician on Chicago's West side. "Analysis reveals that now, for each Chicago Medicaid patient going to the hospital for a health problem, one out of every three will make a follow-up visit to their primary care physician after hospital discharge. That's a big step in the right direction for health care in Chicago."

The successful incorporation of technology into Medical Home Network's hospitals and clinics is now being applied to the Medical Home Network (MHN) ACO, working with Cook County Health and Hospitals System's managed care program, CountyCare, garnering similar results and signaling the future use of technology to deliver affordable and efficient quality health care.

About Medical Home Network
Medical Home Network is a Chicago-based health care collaborative devoted to transforming health care delivery for Chicago Medicaid patients by fostering collaboration and innovation among safety net providers. The Medical Home Network collaborative consists of leaders from 12 health care organizations, who continue to have an equal voice in the decision-making process. In addition, Medical Home Network has grown its connectivity to 20 hospitals and more than 170 primary care entities, using MHNConnect to enable information exchange among providers and monitoring of patient hospital utilization by care managers. The Medical Home Network portal captures approximately 60 percent of member patient activity as it occurs, benefitting the overall health care for almost 200,000 Chicago-area Medicaid patients. More information is available at www.MHNChicago.org.

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

NetChemistry and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Awarded Top Honor with Innovations in Healthcare^SM Abby Award

Newport Beach CA, October 2015

eConsult Health Information Technology Recognized for Improving Care Coordination and Increasing Access to Specialty Care in Los Angeles Safety Net Population

NetChemistry is pleased to announce that its eConsult partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) has received the top honor with the Diamond ABBY Award for Innovations in Healthcare^SM from the Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Organization.

The ABBY Award honors companies using innovative approaches to the delivery of healthcare while reducing cost and increasing quality. The NetChemistry/LADHS eConsult collaboration was selected as an ABBY Award Winner by secret ballot at the October ABL Awards Event. ABL members are C-suite executives and healthcare leaders from across the state of California.

"We are honored to be recognized by ABL and their membership of healthcare leaders for our partnership with LADHS," said Chris Cruttenden, president of NetChemistry. "We are equally honored to have been a part of bringing specialty care to thousands of underserved LA county residents. We look forward to continuing to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare and improving health equity among LA residents with LADHS and their community partners."

About eConsult
The eConsult system provides primary care physicians (PCPs) an easy-to-use care coordination system that effectively triages access to specialty care providers. The first 3 years of eConsult use has successfully increased the LADHS population's access to timely specialty care - reducing the average wait time for a routine specialty appointment by 60 percent.

Processing approximately 13,000 eConsults monthly, LADHS eConsult covers 58 specialties and has successfully reduced specialist response time for the LA safety net population to 2.7 calendar days. Allowing patients to receive care from their PCP in their medical home means less time away from work or family responsibilities and fewer transportation costs. In addition, timely care reduces disease progression and the need for patients to seek alternative care options such as urgent care and ER visits.

About Adaptive Business Leaders Organization
Since 1989, the Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Organization has helped its Members grow great companies through its monthly Healthcare and Technology CEO Round Tables throughout California. Members leverage each other's skills, expertise, and connections in a confidential, personal advisory board setting. http://www.abl.org.

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. The LADHS mission is to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective health care to Los Angeles County residents through direct services at DHS facilities and through collaboration with community and university partners. www.dhs.lacounty.gov

About NetChemistry
Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.netchemistry.com

NetChemistry Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-780-7001
Kristine.nash.wong@netchemistry.com

Winners of ABL Organization's 16^th Innovations in Healthcare^SM Announced

October 2015

LADHS and NetChemistry Win Diamond Award for eConsult Platform!

Paul Giboney, MD, Director of Specialty Care for Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and Chris Cruttenden, President of NetChemistry received the Diamond ABBY Award for their eConsult system to increase specialty care access for the Los Angeles safety net population. eConsult was deployed initially for 18 months in 2011 with the LA Care Health Plan and LACDHS. Since October 2013, LACDHS has expanded the program in its network of hospitals and clinics. eConsult provides primary care physicians (PCPs) with an easy-to-use care coordination system that effectively triages access to specialty care. When PCPs send a secure request for a specialist consult, eConsult's built-in decision support and referral guidelines help ensure all of the necessary information is provided - allowing for a more qualified peer-to-peer consultation.

Read the full article

DHS Specialty Care News, Fall

October 2015

In this newsletter:

• Specialty care coordination across county departments
• eConsult and ORCHID integration means consults are synced with EMRs
• New Expected Practices now on the DHS Clinical Care Library

Read the newsletter

eConsults: Telemedicine for our Neediest Populations

September 2015

By Mark Masselli, originally posted on LinkedIn Pulse

Two articles caught my eye today.  The first was an issue brief from the Commonwealth Fund, which focused on the strength of America's premier primary care safety net: community health centers.  The article evaluated those health centers who had adopted the  Patient Centered Medical Home ( PCMH) model of care.  The study looks at the period from 2009 to 2013 and makes the observation that on almost all metrics, capability has improved dramatically  - except in providing access to specialty care. In particular for Medicaid and uninsured patients who make up 75% of the patient population, community health centers showed declines in obtaining specialist or subspecialist appointments and procedures.    

In the WSJ there was an article about Google's investment in a health insurance startup.  The company will be giving free unlimited telemedicine services to their patients with phone access to a physician within 10 minutes.  A Google official noted "What we're excited about is companies that can transform the cost curve through technology".  There's been lots of investment activity like this recently in telemedicine, mostly in the private sector.  Unfortunately, few of these investments are focused in on America's most needy population, which is disappointing as change in this space has global implications.  Community Health Centers are often  left without financial capital, so we need to bring our intellectual capital to the table to see what we can accomplish.

At our Community Health Center, we've developed the Weitzman Institute, an organization dedicated to inspiring primary care innovation.  One of our initiatives is working on ways to use telemedicine to provide access to specialists for this population.  We are rolling out an eConsult network, initially in New England, and then across the country.  We start by sending the data and not the patient for the consultation. We've based this on the work of Dr. Mitch Katz, Director of the LA health county system.  Seven years ago, Dr. Mitch Katz spoke at our Weitzman Symposium about his pioneering work in San Francisco.

Soon after meeting Mitch we undertook a clinical trial with eConsults in Cardiology.  Our finding -- that an initial specialist consultant screen provided substantial benefit to the patient, provider, and system -- will be soon published in The Annals of Family Medicine. Most importantly our State Medicaid agency has recently agreed to reimburse us for the econsults.  Our hope is that their leadership will bring other state Medicaid agencies to the table.

We'd love to hear about your perspective on how to improve access to specialist care for those at community health centers - I can be reached at mark@chc1.com or reach out to Dr. Daren Anderson, head of the Weitzman Institute, at daren@chc1.com

eConsult Named as Finalist for the 2015 ABBY Awards

Santa Ana CA, September 2015

Winners to be Chosen October 21 in Long Beach

Nine innovative healthcare companies (listed below) will compete for the 2015 ABBY Awards, at the 16th Innovations in Healthcare^SM Awards Event, on October 21, 2015, in Long Beach. The Event, presented by the Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Organization, recognizes innovative organizations and individuals who are dramatically reducing the cost of quality healthcare.

The ABBY Awards honor companies, selected from throughout the country, which have developed ways to lower the cost of providing quality healthcare through their medical or information technologies, or innovative approaches to the delivery of healthcare. The nine Finalists were selected by a Committee of "Champions" and judges, composed of ABL Members who are C-level healthcare executives with deep domain knowledge in each of the Award areas.

Mimi Grant, President of ABL, and creator of the Innovations Awards Event 16 years ago, commented: "All nine ABBY Award Finalists truly are exceptional. In fact, this year - more than any other in recent memory - all 37 of the Semi-Finalists were exceptionally impressive, as well. To have made it past the nomination process (where a number of companies were eliminated) to the Semi-Finals, ABBY Award nominees had to present metrics that proved that their health IT or telecom solution, medical device, or approach to the delivery of healthcare was addressing a major health issue, with an innovative solution, that was approved for use in the U.S. market, and - most important - had significant clinical and/or financial metrics that prove their product or service is reducing the cost of providing quality care. Increasingly, it will be innovative companies like these that will not only win ABBY Awards, but will be big winners as the healthcare industry shifts from 'volume to value.'"

Three ABBY Award Winners will be chosen by secret ballot following live presentations made by the chief executives of the nine Finalist organizations at the Awards Event. The ABBY Award judges will be the senior healthcare executives in attendance at the Event, held at the Long Beach Marriott, on October 21. Attendance is open to all ABL Members, as well as non-Member senior executives of healthcare providers, payers, health IT, medical technology, and services firms.

More details about the Innovations in Healthcare^SM Leadership and ABBY Awards Event can be found at http://roundtables.abl.org/health/events/innovations-in-healthcare/

ABBY Award Finalists are:

St. Louis, MO's Advanced ICU Care's remote ICU patient monitoring solution serves hospitals with state-of-the-art technology that provides a constant stream of patient-centric health data, along with smart algorithms and U.S.-board certified intensivist and critical care nursing resources. Advanced ICU Care brings 24/7/365 intensivist-led ICU patient care to a broad range of hospitals, freeing budget-constrained facilities from the requirement to incrementally invest in constant bedside staffing. Patients benefit from proactive clinical attention by critical care specialists who are always informed and always on duty. Advanced ICU Care collaborates with bedside care teams to deliver the best possible care to patients, and initiates rapid action for patients in need.

Aliso Viejo, CA's Crossover Health Inc. combines leading-edge technologies and contemporary healthcare facilities focused on patient experience, providing employers with a new model of healthcare for their workers. Crossover provides innovative onsite and near-site clinics that provide personalized healthcare experiences. Comprehensive primary care, physical therapy, health coaches, and behaviorists work together to focus on patient outcomes. In addition, the team also provides a multi-disciplinary Proactive Approach To Health course, which has resulted in stress reduction, increased exercise, and improvement in quality of sleep. By focusing on enhanced primary and preventative healthcare as part of employee benefits, improved employee health positively affects a company's productivity and bottom line.

Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS) and Newport Beach, CA's Safety Net Connect have teamed on an eConsult system to increase specialty care access for the Los Angeles safety net population. eConsult was deployed initially for 18 months in 2011 with the LA Care Health Plan and LADHS. Since October 2013, LADHS has expanded the program in its network of hospitals and clinics. eConsult provides primary care physicians (PCPs) with an easy-to-use care coordination system that effectively triages access to specialty care. When PCPs send a secure request for a specialist consult, eConsult's built-in decision support and referral guidelines help ensure all of the necessary information is provided - allowing for a more qualified peer-to-peer consultation.

San Francisco, CA's SpineZone has perfected a reliable, non-operative, and comprehensive back pain management methodology that is administered by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physical therapists, physician assistants, and spine rehabilitation specialists. Patients are guided through their recovery with a fixed-length, customized program that employs computerized equipment, behavioral medicine, and highly trained practitioners to strengthen the isolated muscles of the back, and improve posture and flexibility. Providers rely on SpineZone because it uses the right healthcare resources at the right time, essentially eliminating overtreatment and reducing the costs of treating chronic back pain patients 25% below the national average.

Woodland Hills, CA's Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)'s Skills program is a web-based system for designing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that are tailored to meet each patient's specific needs. Skills includes a well-validated assessment that covers age-appropriate skills across eight developmental domains, and with its accompanying Skills LogBook app, enables users to collect ongoing treatment data, intuitively tracking treatment progress via easy-to-read graphs and charts. Skills supports treatment plan development and implementation, processes clinicians would otherwise spend hours performing, and improves user efficiency on many levels, both reducing treatment costs and allowing clinicians to treat more patients.

Aliso Viejo, CA's CNS Response, Inc. serves the mental health industry with their PEER (Psychiatric Encephalographic Evaluation Registry) Report, which was developed by physicians to provide objective information about medication response for similar patients. PEER combines a "crowdsourced" physician outcome registry with EEG, an accepted, well-normed test of brain function. The PEER Report provides the prescriber with adjunctive information which, based on the outcomes of patients with similar EEG attributes, can help guide the selection of medications which are most likely to work and those which should be avoided. PEER provides the prescriber with objective, personalized information for the patient and, therefore, the use of trial-and-error prescribing is reduced.

Mountain View, CA's drchrono's mobile EHR was voted the #1 iPad EHR three years in a row by Black Book and is also available on clinicians' iPhones and Apple Watches. Over 70,000 clinicians use drchrono, which addresses the needs of today's small- to mid-size physican practices by providing comprehensive EHR, practice management, and medical billing and revenue cycle management solutions that include scheduling, reminders, clinical documentation, the ability to order labs and Rx, and a patient portal. With an open API, drchrono can integrate with other apps and various labs, enabling providers to view results in real-time. All of its EHR and managed billing services are ICD-10 ready. Individual physicians can access the "Asclepius" starter plan for free, allowing them to access drchrono's basic features.

Irvine, CA's Harbor Health Systems' Harbor One Medical Provider Network (MPN) serves companies' workers compensation needs with an immediately available network of high-performing physicians covering the entire state of California. Through Harbor's Care Concierge service, these physicians and patients are connected to top providers of ancillary services. Harbor's OnTrack service continually guides the injured worker's MPN participation throughout the case, to be sure the care plan is always on track and moving towards a fast and complete recovery. Harbor Health Systems' MPN clients experience cost savings of up to 20% with Harbor's outcomes-based networks and its proprietary scoring technology, as well as additional savings through reduced litigation and increased productivity.

Cranbury, NJ's PeriGen Inc.'s PeriCALM Checklist is a real-time bedside IT application designed to enhance clinician efficiency, consistency, and timely recognition of impending problems in maternal labor. Its analytic software reads the tracing used to monitor fetal heart rate and contractions, and its pattern recognition component identifies and measures the features that clinicians use to guide the use of oxytocin (which is used to induce contractions in over half of U.S. births). PeriCALM notifies clinicians when the tracing analysis exceeds predefined criteria established by the clinical institution, and color-coded long-term displays let clinicians see trends at a glance. For labor and delivery nurses, the PeriCALM Checklist reduces tedious repetitive calculations so they can focus more time on clinical judgement and care.

Past ABBY Award Winners

Previous ABBY Award Winners include numerous companies that have made breakthroughs and transformative advances in medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, information technology, and electronic solutions, as well as organizations that have applied innovative systems and technology to providing care and coverage, decreasing the numbers of uninsured, and engaging healthcare consumers more actively in their care and health status - all with a view to reducing the cost of quality care.

About the Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Organization
Since 1989, the Adaptive Business Leaders Organization (ABL) has helped its Members grow great companies through its Healthcare CEO Round Tables. Each month, Members leverage each other's skills, expertise, and connections, in a confidential, personal advisory board setting. During each session, Members share best practices with their non-competitive peers as they share "What's Up?" and tackle topics like: "Reducing the Spend on the Medically Needy 5%," "Implications of Expanded Medi-Cal for You ," "Creating a Culture of Accountability," and "The App Will See You Now." Also, each session has a Featured Member or Guest Speaker who makes a Strategic Advisory Board presentation, imparting valuable insights and in return receiving leveraged feedback from the Group.

ABL Members are also encouraged to attend frequent ABL Workshops and Conferences. The largest of these is the Innovations in Healthcare^SM ABBY Awards Event. Other events held in 2015 include the 12^th annual Top Tech Trends, "Developing an Effective Board of Directors for Growing Companies," "Beginning with the End in Mind," and Member Socials in both Northern and Southern California. In addition to the Members' peer mentors, each Round Table's professional facilitator serves as an objective business advisor, offering executive and industry insights.

ABL's Healthcare Round Tables are held in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Oakland. ABL's separate Technology Round Tables, launched in 1983, are held throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. More information about and testimonials from ABL Members can be found at http://www.abl.org.

Contacts:
Laura Grant, Events Director, at 714/245-1427, or Janet Rich, Publications Manager, at 509/481-7461

L.A. Care eConnect Uses Safety Net Connect's Platform to Facilitate Electronic Communication of Hospital Census Data for Care Coordination

Newport Beach CA, August 2015

L.A. Care eConnect Pilot Success Prompts Large-Scale Rollout to High-Volume Hospitals and Provider Organizations across Los Angeles County to Improve Care Coordination and Discharge Management

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that its platform is used by L.A. Care Health Plan (L.A. Care) for improved coordination of hospital census data between plan providers and hospitals. The platform aims to improve patient care by connecting and getting real-time data.

L.A. Care eConnect is based on SNC's proprietary eCEDA platform, which won a competitive request for proposal (RFP) in 2014. A yearlong pilot was conducted by L.A. Care to measure the platform's efficacy in facilitating the electronic communication of daily census data between L.A. Care and select network hospitals.

Based on successful pilot outcomes, SNC has been granted a three-year extendable contract during which the L.A. Care eConnect program will gain participation from high-volume L.A. County hospital organizations and high-volume Independent Physician Associations (IPAs), Management Services Organizations (MSOs), and Practice Partner Groups (PPGs). Through a custom-designed, secure online "census portal," Provider Organizations access daily census reports for the purpose of concurrent review and care coordination - especially post-discharge management to improve care and reduce avoidable readmissions.

"With the experience of bringing up hospital connections in both Orange County, California and the Chicago Metro area, we have seen the value of the early communication evolve to become an integral first step of the overall care coordination effort of the patient," says Keith Matsutsuyu, CEO of Safety Net Connect.

"As part of our efforts to continually streamline the delivery of care for our members, we're pleased to leverage technology like SNC's eConnect," says L.A. Care CEO John Baackes. "The platform's ability to provide our medical management nurses with complete and timely information, while conveniently facilitating concurrent data review between disparate locations, has translated to better care coordination as well as lower administrative costs."

About L.A. Care
L.A. Care Health Plan (Local Initiative Health Authority of Los Angeles County) is a public entity and community-accountable health plan serving residents of Los Angeles County through a variety of health coverage programs including L.A. Care Covered™, Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Cal MediConnect Plan, L.A. Care's Healthy Kids and PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan. L.A. Care is a leader in developing new programs through innovative partnerships designed to provide health coverage to vulnerable populations and to support the safety net. With more than 1.7 million members, L.A. Care is the nation's largest publicly operated health plan. http://www.lacare.org/

L.A. Care Media Contact:
Len Rosenthal
213-694-1250 x 4712
lrosenthal@lacare.org

About Safety Net Connect
Since 2009, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. SNC's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). www.safetynetconnect.com

SNC Media Contact:
Kristine Nash-Wong
734-780-7001
Kristine.Nash.Wong@safetynetconnect.com

DHS Specialty Care News, Summer

July 2015

In this newsletter:

• DHS Clinical Care Library now contains more than 100 resources
• Forums for eConsult held thanks to grant from Blue Shield
• Special thanks to highly responsive and high volume Specialty Reviewers!

Read the newsletter

Los Angeles County Sees Success with eConsult Program

May 2015

Online tools enable primary care physicians, specialists to communicate more seamlessly

By Katie Dvorak

As it becomes more difficult to book appointments with specialists, doctors in the U.S. are turning to the Web to help speed the process for patients.

In Los Angeles County, local officials created a program called eConsult to streamline the referral process. The program, in use at L.A. Care Health Plan, allows for interaction online between physicians and specialists to exchange medical records and images, according to a Kaiser Health News report.

The program was implemented three years ago, and while it hasn't solved all problems, things have improved because of it, according to KHN.

Through the program, clinicians use guidelines to find out who needs immediate face-to-face appointments with specialists. Those who can wait continue to receive care from their primary care physician through electronic means.

Some issues remain, however, such as patients still requiring face-to-face appointments with specialists and the dearth of ones available to see.

The effort did show that about 30 percent of patients did not need to see a specialist in person, and it now offers physicians a way to communicate with specialists more easily, according to the article. What's more, the program has shown promise to be a model throughout the U.S., with leaders in Illinois, Alaska and Connecticut showing interested in it, L.A. County Specialty Care Director Paul Giboney, M.D., tells KHN.

Similarly, researchers in Canada also saw success with their own regional Web-based e-consultation service called Champlain BASE (Building Access to Specialists through e-consultation).

In addition, an electronic system installed at Tacoma, Washington-based Franciscan Health System allows employees there to undergo routine medical consultations from the privacy of their own homes.

California Healthline Discusses Benefits, Challenges of eConsult

Los Angeles CA, May 2015

L.A. E-Referral System Could Be a Model for Improving Access to Care

A Los Angeles County electronic referral system could help to improve access to care amid a shortage of specialists in California and accross the country. Some providers have expressed concern that primary care physicians who use the system are not paid for extra services a specialist might request. Still, Paul Giboney, Los Angeles County's specialty care director, said the eConsult program still could become a national model.

Read the full article

Los Angeles Daily News on eConsult Program

Los Angeles CA, May 2015

With Specialists in Short Supply, L.A. County Turns to e-Consulting

Doctors called it the black hole.

If their low-income or uninsured patients needed specialty care, they put in a referral to the massive Los Angeles County health care bureaucracy and then waited - for weeks or even months. It could take eight months to see a neurologist, more than three to see a cardiologist.

With a million patients a year depending on Los Angeles County for health care, local officials decided they had to act. Hiring scores of costly specialists wasn't an option. So in 2012 they created a program called eConsult, modeled after a system at San Francisco General Hospital, to streamline the referral process.

Read the full article

NetChemistry Partners with TeleMed2U to Expand eConsult Service Offerings

Newport Beach CA, March 2015

Combining eConsult technology and televideo services for enhanced specialty care within a patient's primary care office

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, and the creator of eConsult, today announced a new partnership with TeleMed2U, a company that provides real-time access to physician specialists through the use of televideo services.

"Specialty providers are in short supply and high demand," said Chris Cruttenden, president of NetChemistry. "Pairing eConsult - our web-based consultation and care-coordination system with TeleMed2U's multi-specialty group of telehealth-trained physicians will advance the delivery of quality specialty care to underserved and rural populations. We are very excited about this collaboration."

The eConsult system provides PCPs an easy-to-use, web-based care coordination system that effectively triages access to specialty care. TeleMed2U's multi-specialty medical group provides specialty care to patients using real-time audio-video teleconferencing, enabling patients in rural areas to receive specialty care without the need for travel.

This unique partnership expands the capabilities and definition of telehealth - providing faster access to specialty care, while allowing patients to receive that care in their primary care office - or medical home. Using eConsult's secure platform, PCPs can contact TeleMed2U's team of specialists for an electronic peer-to-peer consultation to develop a care plan specific to the needs of the patient. And if a specialty appointment is deemed necessary, the patient can receive a real-time video consultation with a TeleMed2U specialist physician right from their primary care office.

"eConsult is an important tool in the field of telehealth," said Javeed Siddiqui, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of TeleMed2U. "Our partnership with NetChemistry strengthens our mission of providing excellent specialty care to large numbers of patients regardless of socioeconomic status or location."

The partnership will benefit NetChemistry, TeleMed2U and their clients by broadening the scope of their offerings. TeleMed2U will provide NetChemistry's clients with a wider group of specialty physicians and teleconferencing capabilities. Likewise, NetChemistry's eConsult system will offer TeleMed2U a proven infrastructure for referral guidelines, decision support algorithms, health information and document attachments, and workflow management.

About TeleMed2U

TeleMed2U is a multi-specialty group of board-certified physicians that supplies its clients with real-time access to physician specialists through the use of telemedicine. Each TeleMed2U specialist is specifically selected for his or her medical expertise and sensitivity to the consumer experience. All are board-certified and fellowship-trained with a minimum of 10 years of experience as a practicing doctor of medicine. They are licensed in the states in which their patients reside and are fully credentialed with the facilities that TeleMed2U serves. For more information, please visit www.telemed2u.com

About NetChemistry

Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

NetChemistry's eConsult System Selected by New England eConsult Network to Expand Timely Access to Specialty Care for Underserved

Newport Beach CA, February 2015

eConsult system improves health equity - increasing access to specialty care for rural and underinsured, while keeping up to 69% of patients in their medical home

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, announced that it has been selected by Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) and Weitzman Institute (WI) as the eConsult provider for the New England eConsult Network (NEECN).

After an extensive national review and selection process, SNC's eConsult has been chosen as the premier telehealth system to power the newly launched NEECN, which will serve to integrate specialty care into the primary care setting along the East Coast in partnership with the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) and Penobscot Community Health Care of Maine.

An initial WI pilot of SNC's eConsult demonstrated 69% of cases being resolved in the primary care office without the need for a face-to-face specialty visit. This is an especially important outcome for NEECN as it strives to provide cost-effective, quality care for underinsured and underserved patients, many of whom live in rural areas with limited access to specialty care and long wait times for appointments.

SNC's eConsult will enable NEECN primary care physicians to consult with specialists across New England via a web-based interface at their convenience. With a secure, structured exchange of information and peer-to-peer discussion of patient needs, SNC's eConsult will facilitate the delivery of specialty care within NEECN primary care offices. In addition, eConsult will allow for faster, more qualified specialty referrals for the patients who need them.

"This collaboration validates the important role of eConsultation in the care continuum of telehealth services," said Chris Cruttenden, President of SNC. "We are excited to play a part in the transformation of specialty care delivery within this pioneering group of mission-driven New England-based healthcare organizations."

"Our evaluation and pilot of several eConsult offerings allowed us to closely examine which system would best fit for our population's needs," said Daren Anderson, MD, Director of WI and VP/Chief Quality Officer of CHC. "Safety Net Connect's eConsult was the clear choice. We are delighted to embark on this journey together, as we strive to bring high quality specialty care to underserved patients within their medical homes."

About Community Health Center

Since 1972, Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) has been one of the leading healthcare providers in the state of Connecticut, building a world-class primary health care system committed to caring for uninsured and underserved populations. CHC is focused on improving health outcomes for its more than 130,000 patients as well as building healthy communities. Recognized as both a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and a Primary Care Medical Home by The Joint Commission, CHC delivers service in more than 200 locations statewide, offering primary care in medical, dental and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.chc1.com

About Weitzman Institute

Weitzman Institute (WI) is dedicated to promoting quality health care for CHC's 130,000 patients receiving care across the state of Connecticut in over 200 service locations. The Institute promotes quality improvement and practice redesign in health care and research that helps answer critical questions arising in day-to-day practice of primary care. Research and improvement work conducted at the Institute are focused on areas such as telehealth, health disparities, chronic diseases, and performance improvement. WQI is the first of its kind established in the U.S. by a Federally Qualified Health Center. For more information visit quality.chc1.com

About Safety Net Connect

Since 2009, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. SNC's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services, MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Partnership HealthPlan of California Selects NetChemistry's eConsult System to Bring Specialty Care to Rural Residents

Newport Beach CA, February 2015

Addressing Health Inequity for Underserved Californians by Integrating Specialty Care into their Medical Homes

NetChemistry, a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, announced that it will collaborate with Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC) to implement a six-month pilot of NetChemistry's eConsult system. The pilot will operate within federally qualified health centers across three upper northern California counties that serve a large Medicaid population with inadequate access to specialty care.

The eConsult pilot will enable select PHC-affiliated primary care physicians to consult with specialists in four distinct specialty fields. With a secure, structured exchange of information and peer-to-peer discussion of patient needs, NetChemistry's eConsult will facilitate the delivery of specialty care within the primary care office, providing timely services for members who may live hundreds of miles from a specialist.

"We are excited to be an integral part of PHC's initiative to expand specialty care access," said Chris Cruttenden, president of NetChemistry. "Our eConsult technology will provide an avenue for high quality specialty care to reach PHC's low-income, underinsured, and rural residents who are at an unfortunate disadvantage when it comes to specialty care access. We believe this partnership will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of many northern California residents."

The PHC/NetChemistry partnership was inspired by Los Angeles Department of Health Services' pilot of the NetChemistry eConsult system and its landmark 18-month outcomes - where 46% of eConsults were resolved in the primary care office, without the need for a face-to-face specialty appointment; and average wait times for specialty appointments decreased by 60%.

"PHC is a huge champion of innovative solutions for the advancement of patient-centered care," said Dr. Robert Moore, the Chief Medical Officer for PHC. "The NetChemistry eConsult system stands out in the expanding field of telehealth as a groundbreaking method for making specialty care readily available to underserved, rural populations. We are pleased to be working with an expert team steeped in real-world experience for serving the needs of organizations such as ours."

About Partnership HealthPlan of California

Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC) is a non-profit community based health care organization that contracts with the State to administer Medi-Cal benefits through local care providers to ensure Medi-Cal recipients have access to high-quality comprehensive cost-effective health care. PHC provides quality health care to over 514,000 members. Beginning in Solano County in 1994, PHC now provides services to 14 Northern California counties - Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity and Yolo. For more information, visit www.partnershiphp.org

About NetChemistry

Since 2009, NetChemistry has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. NetChemistry's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.netchemistry.com

Chicago Collaborative Decreases Readmissions by 25 Percent

December 2014

Medical Home Network, a third-party facilitator of collaborative care on Chicago's south side, says members of its network have reduced 30-day readmissions by 25 percent, increased timely post-discharge follow-ups by as much as 130 percent, and also reduced overall cost of care since December 2012.

Read the full article

California Telehealth Network Partners with Safety Net Connect's eConsult System for Specialty Care Coordination

Newport Beach CA, November 2014

Innovative telehealth partnership brings specialty care into the primary care office, keeping patients in their medical home.

Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare solutions for organizations assisting underserved populations, announced that it has been selected by California Telehealth Network (CTN) as a preferred partner for its eConsult system.

SNC's eConsult enables primary care physicians (PCPs) to consult with specialists via a web-based interface at their convenience. With a secure, structured exchange of information and peer-to-peer discussion of patient needs, eConsult facilitates the delivery of specialty care within the PCP's office. In addition, eConsult allows for faster, more qualified specialty referrals for the patients who need them.

This partnership supports CTN's mission to increase access to healthcare for medically underserved and rural Californians with the use of advanced health information technology. The eConsult system helps CTN fulfill this mission by providing:

• Faster access to specialty care
• Patient centered medical home (PCMH) care coordination
• Standardization of the specialty referral processes
• Reductions in unnecessary specialty visits
• Continuing education for PCPs

"We see a continually expanding demand for specialty care and a huge shortage of specialists in medically underserved and rural populations," said Chris Cruttenden, president of SNC. "SNC developed eConsult to fill that gap, and we are excited to be working with CTN to improve the delivery and quality of specialty care across the state of California."

"SNC's eConsult is a natural fit for our organization," said Eric Brown, president and CEO of CTN. "Our mutual goal of helping the medically underserved is enhanced by eConsult's unique ability to bring specialty care into the patient's medical home."

About California Telehealth Network

The mission of the California Telehealth Network (CTN) is to promote advanced information technologies and services to improve access to high quality healthcare focusing on medically underserved and rural Californians. An independent non-profit 501c3, CTN has become one of the largest FCC-funded statewide telehealth networks in the nation, connecting over 750 healthcare provider locations. Additional funding has been provided by the California Emerging Technology Fund, the California HealthCare Foundation, the California Teleconnect Fund, the National Coalition for Health Integration, United HealthCare, and the University of California. For more information, please visit www.caltelehealth.org

About Safety Net Connect

Since 2009, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. SNC's innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.safetynetconnect.com

Primary Care Providers Finding New Ways To Connect Patients With Specialists

October 2014

Bill Hunter, medical director for the centers, spoke as part of a panel discussion on specialty care access at a conference of the California Primary Care Association in Sacramento.

"The original idea of Project ECHO was to distribute specialist information to far-flung areas in New Mexico. Now it's all over the country," Hunter said.

Panelist Paul Giboney had another story. He is director of specialty care for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. He said his service area is huge, with hundreds of underserved clinics spread out across 4,700 square miles of the county. His department set up workgroups to bring primary care providers and specialists together to work out expected practices, and set up patient-centered scheduling for specialist appointments, to cut down on no-show rates.

But the biggest change, Giboney said, was eConsult.

Read the full article

L.A. Care Celebrates National Health IT Week September 15-19

September 2014

To mark the important role health information technology (health IT) plays in improving health care, L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan, joins others across the U.S. to celebrate National Health Information Technology (NHIT) Week, September 15-19, 2014.

L.A. Care, through its many initiatives, has been a leader in designing and implementing health IT improvements in Medi-Cal that are found among commercial and Medicare providers. This has enhanced the ability of safety net providers to better serve some of the most vulnerable populations in the county.

Read the full article

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Performs More Than 150,000 Electronic Consultations

September 2014

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan serving more than 1.4 million members, announced today that more than 150,000 electronic consultations between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists have been initiated through its eConsult program since it started in 2011.

eConsult is a web-based care coordination platform that enables PCPs and specialists to securely share health information and discuss patient care to make a diagnosis, with the goal of providing the right treatment at the best place in the shortest time.

Read the full article

DHS Specialty Care News, Summer

August 2014

In this newsletter:

• eConsult turns 100,000: 29 specialty services now available
• Award Winning Work: eConsult and Teleretinal Screening recognized
• Specialty-Primary Care Workgroups continue their excellent work: Focus on Expected Practices and ORCHID Order Sets

Read the newsletter

DHS Specialty Care News, Spring

April 2014

In this newsletter:

• Successful eConsult Forum: Enchancing the PCP - Specialist Discussion
• Nurse Practitioner Program: DHS NP students complete specialty rotations
• ORCHID is coming!: Online, Real-Time Centralized Health Information Database
• eConsult update!: 77,000 eConsults and counting!
• Introducing Danny Johnson: The Specialty Care Improvement Team is growing!

Read the newsletter

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Performs More Than 100,000 Electronic Consultations

April 2014

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan, announces that more than 100,000 electronic consultations between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists have been initiated through its eConsult program.

eConsult is a web-based care coordination platform that enables PCPs and specialists to securely share health information and discuss patient care and make a diagnosis, with the goal of providing the right treatment at the best place in the shortest time.

Read the full article

Specialty Clinic Decompression

January 2014

During FY 2013-2014, HDHS continued to sustain and build upon efforts initiated in FY 2012-13 to decompress specialty clinics. The decrease in specialty clinic waiting times can be attributed to DHSwide implementation and use of eConsult and local measures taken, including the assignment of a nurse practitioner to clinics with long waiting times (Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology).

Read the full article

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and Safety Net Connect Agree to County-Wide Expansion of eConsult System Contract

Los Angeles CA, November 2013

More Efficient Specialist Consult System Reduces Unnecessary Referrals, Reduces Wait Times and Lowers Administrative Costs

Safety Net Connect, a provider of web-based healthcare solutions aiding the underserved and safety net populations, has signed anew County-wide contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), which will expand the use of Safety Net Connect's innovative eConsult system by primary care providers and specialists throughout the DHS system.

The eConsult system facilitates electronic consultations between primary care providers and specialists, which offers vulnerable people better, more efficient access to specialized care. The system enables providers to discuss relevant details of patients' medical history prior to scheduling appointments, thereby reducing unnecessary referrals, limiting wait times and lowering administrative costs. In many cases, the increased communication between physicians results in patients receiving more immediate, specialist-guided care from their primary care physician, eliminating the need for a specialist appointment altogether.

Case Study: Improving Safety Net Specialty Care Access using Web-Based Platform

November 2013

The US health care delivery system has historically been characterized by a fragmented, poorly integrated approach to delivering care that often falls short when it comes to managing patients with complex health conditions. Of particular concern is accessto specialty care, especially for uninsured or under-insured patients relying on safety net services.

Learn how COPE Health Solutions partnered with a network of communityclinics and a county hospital to develop eConsult as an innovative solution to improve coordination, appropriate access, and quality of care for patients, resulting in nearly 50% avoidance of specialty visits. Read the full case study on our website.

Transforming Health Care 2013 California HIE Stakeholder Summit Features eConsult in the California's Expanding Information Highway Video

November 2013

Watch the video on Youtube

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Passes 50,000 Electronic Consultations

Los Angeles CA, November 2013

Nation's Largest Publicly Operated Health Plan Deploys New TelehealthPlatform that Improves Patient Access to Specialty Care

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan, announces that for its eConsult telehealth program, more than 50,000 electronic consultations between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists have been initiated.

Read the full article

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute

November 2013

Electronic Consultations Break Down Barriers for Medicaid Patients in L.A. County

By Paul Karon

Although the Medicaid program helps millions of low-income families and children get essential health care, patients with the government-sponsored coverage still face significant barriers when it comes to seeing doctors in the medical specialties.

But in an era when so much of everyday life takes place in the virtual realm of computers and digital communications, an evaluation study supported by the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) showed how the same technologies can give Medicaid patients better access to medical specialists, with less hassle forthe patients and lower cost for the providers.

Called eConsult, for electronic consulting, the study used a combination of computer and digital communications tools to enable primary care providers to consult with specialist physicians when in-person meetings are difficult to schedule or, perhaps, unnecessary.

A cross-institutional team from USC, L.A. Care Health Plan, SynerMed and Partners in Care Foundation showed how an electronic consulting system provided Medicaid patients greater access to specialists like dermatologists, endocrinologists and nephrologists.

Read the full article

DHS Specialty Care NEWS - eConsult turns One Year old!

August 2013

eConsult celebrated its first anniversary in July and it has come a long way from that first month when it started with 2 specialties and 4 clinics. With the addition of new Specialty Services like Endocrinology, Diabetes and (going live on September 3rd) Hepatology and Echocardiograms, eConsult now offers 14 specialty services.

By the numbers:

• 14 Specialty Services (Cardiology, Dermatology, Diabetes, Echocardiograms, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Hepatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Obstetrics, Ophthalmology, Podiatry, Urology)
• 100 DHS Specialty Reviewers
• 2.3 days = Average Specialty Reviewer response time
• 120 sites (40 DHS and 80 Community Partner)
• 1,200+ Primary Care Providers using eConsult System

To highlight our emphasis on customer care and delivering responsive and appropriate specialty services, we have renamed the Central Referral Unit (CRU) as the DHS Appointment Service Center (DHS ASC). Our focus on Patient Centered Specialty Scheduling will remain the same as always.

The DHS ASC has been busy! They have now successfully scheduled almost 13,000 patients. A recent assessment of the patients scheduled showed an average No Show rate of only 15%! This is considerably less than the No Show rate of 25-40% in patients scheduled via other means.

L.A. Care Health Plan to Expand Provider-Clinic Connections

June 2013

Since the start of the project 18 months ago, L.A. Care Health Plan, the nations largest public health plan, has counted 15,000 electronic consultations between primary care doctors and specialists, connecting 1,300 providers in 108 community clinics and health centers across the county, the community health plan announced last week. The web-based system allows primary care doctors and specialists to share health information and discuss patient care. This reduces patient treatment times, improves clinical quality and lowers costs. This year, the program will be expanded to 76 additional sites to serve one million low-income Los Angelenos, the plan announced last week. This represents an exciting milestone in the effective delivery of specialty services to our patients, said Dr. Paul Giboney, director of specialty care for the Los Angeles Department of Health Services (DHS). L.A. Care Health Plan is a public entity and community-accountable health plan serving local residents through Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, L.A. Cares Healthy Kids and L.A. Care Health Plan Medicare Advantage HMO SNP, among other programs. The web-based eConsult is part of DHS and HealthCare L.A. Independent Physicians Association. Funding and management for eConsult is provided by MedPoint Management and Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County and L.A. Care. L.A. Care provides major funding and management for the program.

Read the full article

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Reaches Milestone of 15,000 Electronic Consultations

Los Angeles CA, May 2013

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nations largest publicly operated health plan, announces that for its eConsult telehealth program, more than 15,000 eConsults, which are electronic consultations between primary care providers (PCP) and specialists, have been initiated. The program is the largest rollout of its type in the nation, used by 1,300 PCPs in 108 community clinic/health center sites across L.A. County. L.A. Care plans to expand the program to an additional 76 sites throughout 2013 to serve close to one million low-income individuals and families. Fourteen different types of specialist physicians are available to review eConsults from PCPs.

The web-based eConsult system enables PCPs and specialists to securely share health information and discuss patient care, with the goal of providing the right treatment at the best place in the shortest time. The program is composed of the second largest public health care delivery system in the nation, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), and one of the largest safety net clinic associations in the state, Health Care L.A. Independent Physicians Association (HCLA). Also playing central leadership roles are MedPOINT Management and Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. L.A. Care, provides major funding and management.

Read the full article

DHS Specialty Care NEWS - 10,000 eConsults!

April 2013

More than 10,000 eConsults have been responded to in 9 specialties to date - Urology is new this month (Nephrology coming soon!). This represents an exciting milestone in the effective delivery of specialty services to our patients. We are grateful to our partners at LA Care for their sponsorship of the first 18 months of eConsult work. We also appreciate our committed specialty reviewers whose response to the initial request for assistance has averaged less than 2 days.

Measuring Impact

The fact that in each of these 10,000 situations, a PCP and a specialist were able to rapidly discuss the clinical needs of the patient and determine the best next steps is the one of the primary outcomes we seek in evaluating the impact of eConsult. We can also see the impact in the response from those using the system:

Read the full article

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Drives Health Care Coordination in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles CA, January 2013

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest public health plan, is proud to announce that only six months since its launch, its safety net eConsult program has surpassed its target number of clinical sites, thus decreasing the number of inappropriate and unnecessary specialty referrals at those locations.

eConsult is a web-based platform that allows for primary care provider-to-specialist conversations aimed at speeding access to specialty care and better care coordination. The Safety Net eConsult Program is an initiative of L.A. Care reflecting its ongoing commitment to advancing health and health care using the latest in care coordination and communication technologies.

The Safety Net, the system that safeguards and provides care to the poor and uninsured, in Los Angeles County has long been overwhelmed with the volume of patients needing access to specialty care. L.A. Care is committed to promoting efforts to increase access to quality health care for low-income and vulnerable residents. Through innovative partnerships L.A. Care developed the Safety Net eConsult Program, a straightforward approach to overhaul the healthcare challenge faced in Los Angeles County using telehealth and care coordination solutions to address the growing need for access to information and access to care.

Read the full article

DHS Specialty Care NEWS - eConsult turns 2,000!

January 2013

With the growth of users and specialties, the volume of eConsults conducted has passed the 2,000 eConsults milestone and is growing rapidly. Thanks to all the Specialty Reviewers and PCPs who have put in so much effort to improve our responsiveness to our patients needs for specialty care. eConsult stats: 6 Specialties 39 Active Specialty Reviewers 61 locations (35 DHS and 26 Community Partners) 400+ Primary Care Providers 1,000+ System-wide Users (providers, nurses, clinic staff, referral center staff and others) 2,451 Patients (and providers) assisted through eConsult 57% assisted with Face to Face Specialty Visit 35% assisted by specialist support and education of PCPs (no face to face visit required) 8 % assisted by re-direction of the eConsult

L.A. Care's eConsult Program Receives $200,000 Grant

December 2012

L.A. Care's eConsult program recently received a $200,000 grant from the Blue Shield of California Foundation to support eConsult operations and activities during 2013. The funding is a part of the Foundation's Safety Net Integration grantmaking, which supports the integration of behavioral health and primary care; strengthening hospital to primary care transitions; building health information exchange capabilities across safety net providers; and improving specialty care access for low-income populations in California.

For more information, please contact Joe Acosta, Health IT Program Manager, at jacosta@lacare.org. You can also read the press release from the Blue Shield of California Foundation.

LA Times - Health on eConsult: Healthcare crisis: not enough specialists for the poor

December 2012

The county is trying to make the system more efficient, reduce wait times and ensure that those who don't need more advanced care don't overburden the system, said Mitch Katz, head of the L.A. County Department of Health Services. County officials risk losing newly insured patients, along with government funding, if they can't find ways to reduce the bottleneck.

One focus is using technology to improve communication and better screen patients. A pilot program, for example, is allowing primary care doctors at community and public clinics to quickly transmit patients' medical information via computer to a public health specialist for a consultation.

The electronic consults are streamlining referrals and helping clinic doctors make better treatment choices, said Louise McCarthy, executive director of the Community Clinic Assn. of Los Angeles County.

Read the full article

eConsult Platform Transforms Health Care by Improving Access to Specialty Care

Los Angeles CA, August 2012

L.A. Care Health Plan announced today that its eConsult platform, an electronic primary care-to-specialist consultation and referral system, has successfully launched and completed its first patient consults for dermatology and neurology specialties.

Read the full article

Coordinated care program aims to save Medicaid millions

April 2012

Medical Home Network seeks to provide an alternative to emergency room visits for low-income women and children through NetChemitry's Connect Solution.

Read the full article

NetChemistry Establishes an Electronic Interface Between their AuthMED Solution and CalWINN for San Diego's CMS Program

March 2012

NetChemistry's AuthMED (enrollment and eligibility determination system) now electronically delivers Low Income Health Program (LIHP) application information to CalWIN for either Citizenship Verification and or Med-Cal application initiation.

Comprehensive Care Solutions (CCS) Launches NetChemistry's eConsult Solution

Newport Beach CA, March 2012

CCS is pleased to announce a partnership with software solutions provider NetChemistry to bring their eConsult solution to patient coordination and care management. eConsult will revolutionize the way care mangers communicate about patient care and ultimately reduce the need for specialty visits.

Through NetChemistry's eConsult solution, care managers will be able to electronically connect with providers for guidance and consultations.

CHOC Health Alliance Launches NetChemistry's eConsult Solution

February 2012

CHOC Health Alliance is pleased to announce a partnership with software development company NetChemistry to bring their eConsult solution to Pediatrics. eConsult will revolutionize the way physicians communicate about patient care and ultimately reduce the need for specialty visits for underserved populations.

Through NetChemistry's eConsult solution, primary care physicians (PCPs) will be able to electronically connect with specialists and sub-specialists for guidance and consultations. PCPs are frequently forced to make specialty referrals for issues that they could likely manage at the office if they had the input of a specialist. Fortunately, eConsult will allow PCPs to engage in an electronic consultation with a variety of appropriate specialists who are seeking an easier way to broaden access to their services.

PCPs will be able to log onto a user-friendly, HIPAA-compliant, web-based eConsult solution that allows them to share patient information and receive a timely response through secure messaging from any number of specialists. eConsult is an innovative, simple way to reduce healthcare costs while providing critically needed access.

MHN Connect User Testimonials

January 2012

Care Coordinator, Pediatrics care team:

I have been using the MHNConnect Web Portal for two weeks. It is a very useful tool that connects us to patients allowing us to ensure that patients have a follow up visit in a timely manner. Overall patients are happy, grateful and somewhat surprised that we actually contacted them first rather then them having to call us.

I remember one instance that sticks out in my mind. I called a mom to set up an appointment; she told me she had tried calling several times but for some reason or another could not get through to set up appointment herself. She sounded so grateful and surprised that we even knew that her child had been in the ER. I went on to explain a bit about the MHN Connect Platform. I am not sure how much she understood me but she was happy we had contacted her and an appointment was scheduled and completed.

Care Coordinator, care team:

The portal has become very successful to both the providers and their patients. It allows the providers to become aware and updated on anything occurring with the health of their patients, as well as helping the patients avoid any future visits or admission to the hospital. We had just started working in the portal and were making great progress by contacting patients to connect with their PCP for their follow-up. We have received many compliments from patients because some of them were unaware that they were supposed to follow up with their PCP's. Some assumed that everything had been resolved in the hospital.

The story that stands out the most was one that touched the heart of me and the patient's provider. Our patient, a baby, with a complicated history, had been admitted in the hospital and sadly passed away. While I was reviewing the portal I noticed that the patient had an appointment for a check up the following day (the appointment had been made about 2 weeks prior to being admitted). I immediately contacted the PCP to see if she had been informed of the child's death. She was in shock in receiving the news, since she wasn't contacted by the hospital. She thanked me for notifying her because she would have called the patient's parents blindly to find out why they had missed their appointment. Instances like this help our PCP's and patient's stay connected.

MHN Connect User Testimonials

January 2012

Care Coordinator:

The Medical Home Network is an incredibly pro-active tool that enables us as a clinic to reach out to our patients in a way that would otherwise not be possible when they are battling sickness or trying to recover. In the three weeks I have been using the MHN portal, I have scheduled many follow-up appointments for patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital but there is one story in particular that remains with me.

Through the MHN portal, I received notice that a young adult patient had recently been discharged from the ER. I was able to speak with the patient's mother who stated that the patient had been transferred over to another hospital that could better assist her and was actually still there. She immediately asked how I knew that her daughter was in the hospital and I explained the MHN portal to her. Aside from being surprised by this new technology, she expressed great interest in scheduling her daughter for an appointment and voiced sincere gratitude that we called to do this. She shared a bit of her daughter's story with me and I could hear the weariness in her voice. In this moment, I realized the supportive nature of the Medical Home Network; it enables us as a clinic to actively love our patients and their families by reaching out to them in their time of need by relieving a small part of their burden through establishing care.

Orange County's MSI Program Has Achieved Measurable Reductions in ER Utilization

January 2012

Through a combination of services provided by NetChemistry and integration with the MSI Connect technology platform, the Orange County MSI program has achieved measurable reductions in utilization.

For the four year period beginning April 1, 2007 and ending December, 2011:

• 44% reduction in Emergency Room utilization
  
• 57% reduction in Outpatient services utilization
  
• 52% reduction in Inpatient admissions
  
• 63% reduction in Inpatient Length of Stay (LOS)

MHN goes live with MHN Connect, Electronically linking Hospitals, Clinics and Doctors Serving Medicaid Patients across Cook County

December 2011

Medical Home Network unites public and private organizations in a partnership to improve the health status of people living on the South and Southwest Side of Chicago. We're a neutral third party dedicated to facilitating collaboration between organizations such as the State of Illinois Medicaid, South Side area hospitals, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and high-volume Medicaid private practices. The Medical Home Network model is designed to bring together these providers to be accountable for strengthening the health care delivery system and improving the health status of South and Southwest Side Chicago residents.

Blue Shield of California Invests $20 Million to Help Providers Develop Accountable Care Organizations

San Francisco CA, October 2011

PRNewswire-USNewswire

A total of 18 California hospitals, health systems, clinics and physician groups -including many serving underserved populations - will receive grants totaling nearly $20 million from Blue Shield of California to help them participate more effectively in accountable care organizations (ACOs).

The ACO grants are being made as part of Blue Shield's 2 percent pledge, a commitment the company made last June to limit annual net income to 2 percent of revenue and to return the difference collected above that amount to customers and the community. Today's grants represent an average of $10 million for each of the two fiscal years (2010 and 2011) that the pledge has been applied.

Access OC's Prescribe Hope Golf Tournament

October 2011

The Second Annual Prescribe Hope Golf Tournament is coming up on Monday, November 14, 2011! This fun and exciting event will be held at the beautiful Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo to benefit AccessOC and Lestonnac Free Clinics.

The tournament will feature a four-man best ball scramble format, a custom tournament golf shirt, breakfast, on-course beverages and snacks, and the fantastic Arroyo Grande Buffet. The day's events will begin with registration and a putting contest. The driving range will be available at 7:00 am with the shotgun start at 8:00 am. Golfers of all levels of play will thoroughly enjoy their day while improving the health of our Orange County community.

Proceeds from the day's tournament, on-course games, and prize-filled raffle, will benefit the community medical programs of AccessOC and Lestonnac Free Clinics. Teams who sign up before October 14 will get the Early Bird Special - a team of four can sign up for $900, which includes a tournament tee sign. Individual golfers can sign up for $250. After October 14, the foursome will increase to $1,000. Don't delay, sign up today!

Special thanks to Keith Matsutsuyu, NetChemistry, and Comprehensive Care Solutions for their generous support as the tournament's lunch sponsors. A big "hats off" to Anaheim Regional Medical Center for being the tournament's shirt sponsor. Thank you also to New England Life Insurance, a MetLife Company and Joe Castro for their hole sponsorship.

L.A. Care Invests $1.5 Million To Implement Innovative eConsult System For L.A. County Safety Net Providers eConsult System Will Reduce Patient Wait Times To Access Specialty Care

Los Angeles CA, August 2011

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest public health plan, announced today an investment of $1.5 million to implement an innovative eConsult system, an electronic physician-to-specialist consultation and referral system, at approximately 47 L.A. County safety net sites, including Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) health care facilities. Once the eConsult system has been fully implemented, nearly 1 in 4 clinic sites in L.A. County will be using the system. L.A. Cares long-term goal is to help all L.A. County safety net providers implement and use the eConsult system. Program partners on the eConsult effort also include Health Care LA IPA and MedPoint Management.

NetChemistry's AuthMED Solution Implement's The Low Income Health Program (LIHP) for San Diego County Medical Services

July 2011

LIHP is a program that funds medical care for uninsured adult county residents. LIHP uses a network of community health centers along with hospitals, community physicians, and mental health providers throughout San Diego County to provide health care services.

NetChemistry and Medical Home Network will link Hospitals, Clinics and Doctors Serving Medicaid Patients

June 2011

In an unprecedented effort to improve medical care on the Southwest Side, the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, five private hospitals, and dozens of clinics and physician practices have agreed to cooperate in bolstering basic care for Medicaid patients.

Their venture, known as the Medical Home Network, utilizes NetChemistry's Connect Platform and represents one of the most ambitious attempts in the U.S. to restructure the way care is delivered to vulnerable families covered by Medicaid, the government's health program for the poor.

It's set to launch this summer and initially cover more than 162,400 residents on the Southwest Side - one of Chicago's areas of greatest medical need, with deep pockets of poverty and a dearth of many crucial health care services.

The state is watching the venture closely. "We will do everything we can to assist this project," said Julie Hamos, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, noting Illinois' commitment to introducing more coordination of care into its 2.9 million-member Medicaid program.

Medical Home Network has started by establishing working relationships among dozens of medical providers that had a previous track record of competition, not cooperation. Hospital partners include Cook County's Stroger, Provident and Oak Forest hospitals, Rush University Medical Center, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Holy Cross Hospital, Saint Anthony Hospital and La Rabida Children's Hospital.

LAC+USC Camino de Salud Network and Cope Launch Phase II of NetChemistry's eConsult platform

May 2011

The platform provides PCP's the ability to ask Specialists about treatment plans or discuss a difficult case that may or may not need a Specialty referral. This collaborative process reduces inappropriate and unnecessary referrals before a visit is even scheduled. The platform can also increase valid referrals by providing specialty guidelines and communicating each Specialist's expectations to the PCP.

The Camino de Salud Network is an integrated public private delivery network, managed by Cope health Solutions, consisting of LAC+USC Healthcare Network and non-profit community clinics.

The network coordinates hospital services and community-based ambulatory care in order to ensure patients receive "access to the right care, at the right place, at the right time."

The network goal: "To develop a sustainable healthcare system with neighborhood access to primary care; enhance access to specialty and diagnostic care; and the coordination of primary care with inpatient and outpatient specialty and diagnostic services"

HASC/ Children's Commission goes live with Phase II of Bridges Connect

May 2011

Bridges has electronically connected the network of Orange County's Bridges hospitals, Family Resource Centers, and community agencies working together with the California Children and Families Commission of Orange County (the Commission). The Bridges Connect platform gives hospitals the ability to electronically refer patients to multiple community-based organizations and or agencies. The Bridges Connect system also supports agency linkage to providers within the Bridges Network by electronically connecting referrals to providers.

NetChemistry's AuthMED Solution Implements The Low Income Health Program (LIHP) for Orange County's Health Care Agency

April 2011

Under a new 1115 Medicaid Waiver Program, Orange County will continue its expansion of healthcare services available to people who traditionally have not qualified for Medi-Cal or the County's MSI program. This new Low Income Health Program (or LIHP) is funded by the County and the federal government to provide services similar to Medi-Cal to qualified individuals. These services include provision of a medical home, inpatient and outpatient medical services, prescription medicines, home health care, emergency dental services, limited mental health services, and more. In Orange County, LIHP has been integrated into the County's existing MSI program. So, LIHP and MSI are just different names for the expanded healthcare program.

Oppcom Launch Phase II of their Claims Management Platform

April 2011

Communication is one of the most crucial components in making the difference between losing control of a claim and getting the injured employee back to work. Creating and managing accountability is the key ingredient in our latest version of OPPCOM's workers compensation platform.

At OPPCOM we designed our system to be very user friendly. The system is designed to be completely paperless. No more running around looking for your work comp claims kit. OPPCOM Systems is dedicated to improve the current workers compensation system in California to encourage businesses to stay in California rather than moving their operations to a different state or even out of the country. It is the belief of many that California business owners are fed up with the current system and is looking for change. OPPCOM has the answers.

Specialty Care Initiative

March 2011

NetChemistry's eConsult platform featured in The "Specialty Care Access in Los Angeles County eConsults Pilot Project" webinar. This was a collaboration between LA County Hospital and Community Health Centers. The project was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Northern and Southern CA Community Benefit and the California HealthCare Foundation. Featuring Dr. Paul Giboney, Medical Director Clinica Romero and Dr. Sarita Mohanty, Chief Medical Officer COPE Health Solutions.

AccessOC - eConsult Update: Positive Outlook as Program Continues to Grow

March 2011

Since its inception, Access OC has had one sole purpose; to help the most vulnerable population in Orange County by increasing access to specialty care. eConsult, being essential to Access OC's mission, is a web-based e-mail consultation service, designed to improve communication between primary care physicians and specialists.

In 2011, the program will be "rolled-out" to all of the clinics affiliated with the Coalition of Community Clinics of Orange County. Working closely with the Coalition has been and will be significant in bringing awareness to the providers and to increase the usage of the system. Our list of specialists in the eConsult panel has expanded thanks to the support of the volunteer physicians. We currently have eleven specialists enrolled, including the following specialties: Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic, Pediatrics GI, Pediatric Infectious Disease, and Urology.

NetChemistry Launches eConsultSD for the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation

February 2011

The SDCMS Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of www.eConsultSD.com in partnership with healthcare solutions provider NetChemistry. eConsultSD will revolutionize the way physicians communicate about patient care and ultimately reduce the need for specialty visits for underserved populations.

Through the e-consult system, primary care physicians (PCPs) at community clinics will be able to electronically connect with specialists for "curbside consultations." With more than 90 sites throughout the county, community clinics provide primary care for the vast majority of safety-net patients in San Diego. These clinic PCPs are frequently forced to make specialty referrals for issues that they could likely manage at the clinic if they had the input of a specialist. Fortunately, eConsults will allow clinic PCPs to engage in an electronic curbside consultation with a variety of appropriate specialists who are seeking an easier way to provide care for the safety net.

NetChemistry Participates in the Southern California eConsult Collaborative

February 2011

Groups representing San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties have come together to discuss their experience implementing and utilizing eConsult. Agenda items included recruitment, outcomes, capacity building, and future plans.

SDCMS Foundation and Net Chemistry Introduce eConsults to San Diego

November 2010

The SDCMS Foundation is pleased to announce a partnership with software development company Net Chemistry to bring an e-consult system to San Diego. eConsults will revolutionize the way physicians communicate about patient care and ultimately reduce the need for specialty visits for underserved populations.

Through the e-consult system, primary care physicians (PCPs) at community clinics will be able to electronically connect with specialists for "curbside consultations." With more than 90 sites throughout the county, community clinics provide primary care for the vast majority of safety-net patients in San Diego. These clinic PCPs are frequently forced to make specialty referrals for issues that they could likely manage at the clinic if they had the input of a specialist. Fortunately, eConsults will allow clinic PCPs to engage in an electronic curbside consultation with a variety of appropriate specialists who are seeking an easier way to provide care for the safety net.

PCPs will be able to log onto a user-friendly, HIPAA-compliant, web-based e-consult system that allows them to share patient information and receive a timely response through secure messaging from a specialist. eConsults is an innovative, simple way to reduce healthcare costs while providing critically needed care for the most vulnerable residents of San Diego.

NetChemistry Has Successfully Completed the Experian RI3PA Certification

October 2010

This certification reflects our organization's compliance with an extensive and continuous security assurance process, and validates the presence of risk reduction practices at NetChemistry.

Experian has developed the RI3PA program in order to evaluate the security of its resellers. Experian has adopted the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) as the standard that its resellers must comply with.

MSI Connect Platform recognized for being one of this year's 15 winning government agencies in IT innovation

September 2010

Orange County Health Care Agency was presented with an award during the InformationWeek 500 annual conference at the St. Regis in Monarch Beach. The award honored OCHCA's MSI Connect Platform for being one of this year's 15 winning government agencies in IT innovation.

The Orange County Health Care Agency has designed and deployed an electronic health record system for people enrolled in the Medical Services Initiative, a healthcare program for about 45,000 of the county's indigent adults. The system links pharmacies, lab and diagnostic centers, hospital emergency rooms, community clinics, and primary care physicians.

The project required development of a Web-based health record system, MSI Connect, to capture data such as emergency room admissions and discharges, diagnosis and procedure codes, prescriptions, and specialty referrals. Since deploying the system last year, the county has studied its effects and has found improved quality of care for patients. The ability to refer patients electronically from the emergency department to their primary care physicians led to a 52% decrease in the likelihood of a related return visit to the ER, resulting in estimated annual savings of $636,000.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) announced the recipients of the 2010 Challenge Awards honoring innovation in county government

September 2010

Orange County won seven awards with its Health Care Agency receiving the Merit Award for "Creating a Virtually Integrated Delivery System" for the Medical Services Initiative (MSI) Health Care program.

An integral part of MSI's success has to do with NetChemistry's MSI Connect platform featuring the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Model.

The system allows PCMHs to manage their assigned patients and includes each patient's prescription history from over 500 Orange County pharmacies, claims history, status of specialty authorizations, and admission and discharge diagnosis from all hospitals within the county. It also provides the ability of any ER physician to electronically refer the patient back to the clinic or PCP PCMH-leading to improved continuity of care and the reduction of ER visits.

NetChemistry Pilots Electronic Hospital Census Reporting in San Diego

August 2010

NetChemistry has successfully launched eCEDA, Census Management Platform in San Diego County. Built on NetChemistry's Core Product Suite, eCEDA allows Hospital providers to electronically notify providers and payors the admission of their Patients.

eCeda is the most cost-effective method to manage, track and transition patients from the hospital to their medical home. Exceeding all expectations, the site has allowed previous clients to reduce support costs, racking up literally millions in operational savings.

HASC/Commission goes live with Phase 1 of Bridges Connect

July 2010

Bridges has now electronically connected the network of Orange County's Bridges hospitals, Family Resource Centers, and community agencies working together with the California Children and Families Commission of Orange County (the Commission).

The Bridges Connect platform gives hospitals the ability to electronically refer patients to multiple community-based organizations and or agencies.

• Screen, Alert and Enroll:
  The Bridges Connect system will rely on eCeda to identify and provide "potential patient" Alerts to the Bridges Hospital Workers.
• Store and manage all information:
  Once a referral is completed, the information is stored in a secure database. This allows the Bridges Connect system to automatically fill in other desired forms that may be required for additional programs and services.
• Paperless Processing:
  Referrals can be assigned according to workload. Once an application has been assigned, a supervisor can monitor individual workloads and referrals in progress. Bridges staff can view an enrollee's referral and obtain a detailed view of the verification work list. This enables one or multiple workers to keep track of a referrals progress.
• Agency linkage:
  The Bridges Connect system supports agency linkage to providers within the Bridges Network by electronically connecting referrals to providers.

NetChemistry's solutions featured in Medical Care Research and Review - Impact of Patient-Centered Medical Home Assignment on ER Visits

June 2010

The Medical Services Initiative program-a safety net-based system of care- in Orange County included assignment of uninsured, low-income residents to a patient-centered medical home. The medical home provided case management, a team-based approach for treating disease, and increased access to primary and specialty care among other elements of a patient-centered medical home. Providers were paid an enhanced fee and pay-for-performance incentives to ensure delivery of comprehensive treatment. Medical Services Initiative enrollees who were assigned to a medical home for longer time periods were less likely to have any emergency room (ER) visits or multiple ER visits. Switching medical homes three or more times was associated with enrollees being more likely to have any ER visits or multiple ER visits. The findings provide evidence that successful implementation of the patient-centered medical home model in a county-based safety net system is possible and can reduce unnecessary ER use.

Coordination of care is facilitated through the ER Connect information system, which links the 23 contracted hospital emergency rooms (ERs) with the 14 contracted community clinics. This system enables emergency physicians to view comprehensive patient medical histories (e.g., pharmacy, lab, claims data, and physician notes) and to electronically refer patients with nonemergent conditions back to their personal physician at the clinic medical homes. MSI also uses Clinic Connect, a web-based application that enables community clinics to receive referrals from ERs. This allows clinic providers to access critical patient information, including ER physicians' recommended treatment plans, claims history, and physician notes. It also notifies the medical home that the patient had an ER visit, so that the physician can follow-up with the patient and the specialists and ER providers that their patient may have seen during the emergent episode.

Study of nearly 1,000 patients using NetChemistry's Solutions

• 52% reduction of future E.D. visits
• 13% increased likelihood of Medical Home visits
• Estimated Cost savings $199.03 per patient

MHN selects NetChemistry's Safety Net Connect solution for their MHN Connect platform

May 2010

Medical Home Network (MHN) Connect is a secure web-based platform built on NetChemistry's proven technologies that enable virtual integration between provider participants. MHN Connect improves care coordination, tracks patient activity throughout the delivery system, arms participating providers with pertinent patient clinical history, and facilitates near real-time information exchange between emergency departments, hospitals, and medical home primary care practice sites. Together, these features help our provider partners effectively monitor the health status and health care quality for their patient population.

MHN unites public and private organizations around a vision to improve the health status of residents living on Chicago's South and Southwest Side. Network partners are collaborating to transform the current care delivery system to improve patient care coordination and access to health care services, while reducing cost and fragmentation. It's an ambitious goal-and now is the time to achieve it.

LAC+USC Camino de Salud Network and Cope select NetChemistry's eConsult platform

April 2010

The platform provides PCP's the ability to ask Specialists about treatment plans or discuss a difficult case that may or may not need a Specialty referral. This collaborative process reduces inappropriate and unnecessary referrals before a visit is even scheduled. The platform can also increase valid referrals by providing specialty guidelines and communicating each Specialist's expectations to the PCP.

The Camino de Salud Network is an integrated public private delivery network, managed by Cope health Solutions, consisting of LAC+USC Healthcare Network and non-profit community clinics.

The network coordinates hospital services and community-based ambulatory care in order to ensure patients receive "access to the right care, at the right place, at the right time."

The network goal: "To develop a sustainable healthcare system with neighborhood access to primary care; enhanceaccess to specialty and diagnostic care; and the coordination of primary care with inpatient and outpatient specialty and diagnostic services"

NetChemistry selected by HASC/Commission to develop the Bridges to Newborns platform

March 2010

The Bridges for Newborns (Bridges) program aims to increase the proportion of Orange County newborns that are insured and have a health care home. The Bridges program has selected NetChemistry to develop an online electronic enrollment and referral system to ensure that newborns are linked with health care coverage, receive their first well-baby checkup, and up-to-date immunizations. Families receive a Kit for New Parents and information on the benefits of breastfeeding.

Bridges is a network of Orange County hospitals, Family Resource Centers, and community agencies working together with the California Children and Families Commission of Orange County (the Commission). The Bridges network with NetChemistry are committed to improving the lives of Orange County children by helping to provide a healthy start to newborns so they are healthy and ready for success in school by age 5.

NetChemistry presents CAeHC Webinar "Virtual Integrated Delivery Network"

March 2010

"A medical home is not a building, house or hospital, but rather an approach to providing health care services in a high-quality and cost-effective manner."

Access OC completes successful pilot of NetChemistry's eConsult platform

February 2010

We are seeing a very positive response to the eConsult platform. Even during the pilot phase the eConsult system is impacting the health of vulnerable and underserved people by providing electronic access to a wider range of medical Specialists in a high quality, cost-effective manner. eConsult's secure messaging approach clearly broadens the participating panel by allowing the Specialist the flexibility to respond on "their time".

NetChemistry's health solutions featured in Orange County HMA Report: A Plan for the Equitable, Organized and Integrated Delivery of Health Care Services for Underserved Residents of Orange County

January 2010

"ER-Connect allows efficient communication and transition between emergency departments and the Medical Home and could be used by hospitals at discharge of network patients.

Technologies like the MSI's ER-connect, Clinic-connect and Community-connect and AccessOC's e-consult should be consolidated as a part of this evolving delivery system and, in fact, should be assessed for further upgrading to include additional functions (assessment for eligibility into all possible coverage programs, availability of appointments in Medical Homes, etc.).

Access OC to implement system that facilitates referrals, improves communications between primary care physicians and specialists

October 2009

The eConsult system improves the health of vulnerable and underserved people by providing electronic access to a wider range of medical Specialists in a high quality, cost-effective manner. eConsult's secure messaging approach not only broadens the participating panel by allowing the Specialist the flexibility to respond on "their time", but increases the Specialist direct participation by its process of filtering appropriate referrals.

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Orange County's MSI Program launches the Community Connect platform, providing primary-care doctors electronic access to patients across the county

September 2009

Community Connect is the latest addition to the Connect Series, which has decreased ER visits by 52 percent and has increased preventative-care visits at community clinics by 13 percent.

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Successful Demonstration of Health Information Exchange Opens ARRA Stimulus Options for California

June 2009

California eHealth Collaborative announced today that five community-based health information exchange (HIE) projects in California successfully tested the exchange of clinical health information to improve patient care. Taking advantage of recently released Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) Connect software, Kaiser Permanente, Long Beach Network for Health, ER Connect-Orange County, Redwood MedNet and Santa Cruz HIE verified the ability to share patient clinical information among regional networks across the state. The public test demonstrated how clinicians might treat a patient within an emergency room care or other clinical settings by obtaining critical clinical information from the patient's medical record in another location.

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ER Connect included in statewide demonstration of data exchange through National Health Information Network (NHIN)

June 2009

NetChemistry and ELM were among five other organizations to participate in the demonstration, which included Kaiser Permanente, Long Beach Network for Health, RedWood MedNet, and Physicians Medical Group of Santa Cruz. The organizations used technology each has independently developed to link directly to the National Health Information Network (NHIN), which enables the sharing of information among emergency rooms, medical groups, and individual physicians.

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Orange County's health care agency taps into ground-breaking technology to track incidences of h1n1 virus regionally

May 2009

The surveillance system using a combination of the Connect technologies which includes ER Connect, Clinic Connect and eCEDA, aggregates data from 23 participating emergency departments, the corresponding 23 hospitals, and 14 community clinics electronically across Orange County.

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NetChemistry and ELM announce SafetyNet Connect joint venture

January 2009

The Joint venture is focused on advancing the role of technology and services to improve patient transitions and outcomes.

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The San Diego Health Care Agency goes live with AuthMED

May 2008

NetChemistry announced the successful launch of the AuthMed platform for the web-based enrollment and eligibility determination of the County Medical Services (CMS) population.

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Digital Safety Net

April 2008

A Web-based system in Orange County, Calif., has dramatically improved health care for the indigent

In Orange County, Calif., the most medically vulnerable population is a group of 25,000 people who are 21 to 64 years old, impoverished, often chronically ill and sometimes homeless. In addition, some of them are addicted to alcohol or drugs.

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NetChemistry is a Semi-Finalist in the Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL) Innovation in Healthcare Awards of 2008

January 2008

Ten companies in Orange County are semi-finalists for Innovations in Healthcare awards from Adaptive Business Leaders, a national organization based in Orange. The Abby awards go to companies that develop innovative ways to deliver medical care or lower health-care costs through technology.

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NetChemistry is awarded the Electronic Enrollment and Eligibility contract for San Diego's County Medical Services (CMS) Program

September 2007

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Health Services Sector, today announced that they have been contracted by San Diegos Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to implement AuthMed, a web-based paperless enrollment and eligibility determination platform.

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Software Company Streamlines Health Care in Orange County Software Company Streamlines Health Care in Orange County

April 2007

ER Connect Links All Major OC Emergency Departments at the Click of a Mouse

NetChemistry in conjunction with ELM Technologies, today announced that the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has electronically linked all major hospitals in Orange County, CA using their ER Connect platform, an online patient health information database for the Medical Services for Indigents (MSI) Program.

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Orange County Launches Clinic Connect an Electronic Referral System Connecting 32 Facilities

March 2007

ER providers now have the ability to electronically refer indigent patients to participating community clinics for follow up visits.

NetChemistry in conjunction with ELM Technologies, today announced that the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has successfully linked 24 major hospitals and 8 Community Clinics in Orange County, CA through the Clinic Connect/ER Connect platform.

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Orange County Health Care Agency has Successfully Enrolled Over 21,000 Patients into the Medical Services for Indigents Online Eligibility Determination System

July 2006

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Healthcare and Financial Services Sector, today announced that the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has completed its first full year of web-based paperless enrollment and eligibility screening for Medical Services for Indigents (MSI).

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Netchemistry Launches the Provider On-Line Verification System for Oc Medical Services for Indigents Program

July 2006

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Healthcare and Financial Services Sector, today announced that the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has launched the Provider On-line Verification System at www.ocmsipov.com for the Medical Services for Indigents (MSI) Program.

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Netchemistry has Successfully Completed the Cybertrust Sitesecure Certification

May 2006

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission critical, highly secure software to the Healthcare and Financial Services Sector, today announced successful achievement of Cybertrust SiteSecure Certification for their Newport Beach, California location. This certification reflects your organization.s compliance with an extensive and continuous security assurance process, and validates the presence of risk reduction practices at the location mentioned above.

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OC Medical Services for Indigents Program Introduces ERConnect

May 2006

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission critical, highly secure software to the Healthcare and Financial Services Sector, today announced that the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has introduced ERConnect an online patient health information database for the Medical Services for Indigents (MSI) Program.

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Netchemistry has Released its Much Anticipated Authmed Software Solution for Medical Enrollment and Eligibility Determination

January 2006

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission critical, highly secure software to the Healthcare and Financial Services Sector, today announced the release of AuthMED a streamlined and automated web-based enrollment and eligibility determination System.

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Orange County Health Care Agency and Netchemistry Launch the Medical Services for Indigents Online Eligibility Determination System

July 2005

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Financial and Health Services Sector, today announced that in conjunction with Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) launched the first ever web-based paperless enrollment and eligibility screening platform for Medical Services for Indigents Program (MSI).

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Castle Arch Real Estate Investment Company Goes Live With Netchemistry's Investor Services Functionality

May 2005

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Castle Arch Real Estate, LLC has launched the second phase of their investor services platform to coincide with their effective registration statement. NetChemistry.s investor services functionality allows for the online communication, tracking and management of the firm's accredited investors. Castle Arch Real Estate offers a strong; secure returns to our investors through the acquisition, improvement, management and growth of a portfolio of select real estate investments.

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Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum Inc. Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Equity Offering and Research Platform

April 2005

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum Inc. (EKN) has successfully launched NetChemistry.s Web based Equity Offering and Research Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's Private and Public Offerings. Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum (EKN) is a New York-based investment boutique designed to meet the varied needs of institutional and individual clients in today.s highly volatile markets. A team of Wall Street professionals with more than three decades of financial experience founded EKN. The firm is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

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CurrentOfferings.com Deploys Netchemistry's (Asp) Equity Offering and Research Platform

March 2005

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that CurrentOfferings.com has successfully launched NetChemistry.s Web based Equity Offering and Research Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's Private and Public Offerings. CurrentOfferings.com is a leading financial research and advisory services firm. We provide relevant, timely, unbiased, and action-able research and analysis to individuals and institutions. CurrentOfferings.com offers its constituency the most comprehensive, unbiased, and forward-thinking research on new issues and offerings from its internal and contributing research analysts.

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NetChemistry is Awarded the Electronic Eligibility System Contract for the Orange County Health Care Agency, Medical and Institutional Health Services for Indigents

December 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Financial and Health Services Sector, today announced that they have been contracted by the Health Care Agency (HCA) Medical Services for Indigents (MSI) to create a web-based paperless enrollment and eligibility screening platform for their participants.

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OPPCOM Partners with Netchemistry to Build the First Ever Web-Based Claims Management Platform

November 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Financial and Health Services Sector, today announced that OPPCOM Systems has successfully launched the first ever web-based claims management platform built on NetChemistry.s Core Product Suite.

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The Analytiq Group Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Equity Offering and Research Platform

August 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that The Analytiq Group has successfully launched NetChemistry.s Web based Equity Offering and Research Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's Private and Venture Finance Offerings.

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Castle Arch Real Estate Partners with Netchemistry to Build Web-Based Investor Services Platform

June 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Castle Arch Real Estate, LLC has successfully launched NetChemistry.s Web based Equity Offering Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's Reit Offerings. Castle Arch Real Estate offers a strong; secure returns to our investors through the acquisition, improvement, management and growth of a portfolio of select real estate investments.

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BaggageDirect.Com has Partnered up with Netchemistry to Offer the First Ever "Mobile Skycap Service" through Hawaiian Airlines

May 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Financial Services and Health Services Sector, today announced that BaggageDirect.com has successfully launched the first ever exclusive, new TSA-certified "mobile skycap" service providing complete passenger and baggage check-in from home, office, or hotel.

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NetChemistry Releases Core Product Suite v.4.0 now with NetSecureStatement Presentation and Delivery

January 2004

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure software to the Financial and Health Services Sector, today announced the V. 4.0. release of its Core Product Suite - secure, scalable Software modules that can be rapidly customized to fit each client.s unique business parameters. These solutions are designed to automate business processes and thereby create efficiencies, cut costs, and improve data integrity by leveraging technology to take the place of resource intensive processes.

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Exerciseyoureyes.com Deploys the First Ever Comprehensive Online Vision Evalutaions Website on Netchemistry's NetRelationshipManager Software

November 2003

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Exerciseyoureyes.com has successfully launched MyExerciseyoureyes.com for the distribution, tracking and management of their vision evaluations. Exerciseyoureyes.com offers a Total Vision Workout System.

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Census Reporting Goes Hi-Tech

October 2003

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that it has successfully launched eCEDA, Inc.'s Web based Census Management Platform for the Orange County Health Agency(OCHA).

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Nexcore Capital Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Private/Public Equity Offering Platform

July 2003

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Nexcore Capital, Inc. has successfully launched NetChemistry's Web based Equity Offering Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's IPO's and Private Offerings.

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Northport Partnership Management Unveils Online Financial Reporting Services for Alternative Investments

July 2003

"Northport Partnership Management and NetChemistry Create the Northport Offering Module and Report Center to Provide Better Communication Between General and Limited Partners"

New Jersey-based Northport Partnership Management, LLC, and NetChemistry, unveil the Northport Offering Module and Report Center. These web based offering and reporting services were created solely for general and limited partners.

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TBG Consulting Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Extranet Platform

March 2003

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that TBG Consulting has successfully launched NetChemistry's Web based Extranet Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of information presented to clients and satellite offices.

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Brooksteet Securities Corporation Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Private/Public Equity Offering Platform

January 2003

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Brookstreet Securities Corporation has successfully launched NetChemistry's Web based Equity Offering Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's IPO's and Private Offerings.

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Angelbourse and Netchemistry Launch London-Based Online Marketplace for Angel Investors

October 2002

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that AngelBourse has successfully launched NetChemistry's Private Offering Platform for the funding of small to medium sized enterprise (SMEs) by Angel investors throughout Europe.

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Basic Investors Deploys Netchemistry's (ASP) Private Equity Offering Platform

September 2002

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Basic Investors, Inc. has successfully launched NetChemistry's Web based Private Equity Offering Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's investment banking corporate clients.

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Raymond James Deploys Netchemistry's Online Directed Share Platform

April 2002

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Raymond James Financial Services (NYSE-RJF) has successfully launched NetChemistry's Directed Share Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's investment banking corporate clients.

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NetChemistry Launches NetOffering, the First Pay-Per-Use Offering Management Service

March 2002

Revolutionizing the offering process once again, issuers and broker/dealers can distribute IPOs, funds, bonds, private placements, debt and asset backed securities affordably and instantly online.

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today publicly launched its NetOffering Pay-Per-Use Offering Management service specializing in helping small to mid-tier broker/dealers and other issuers extend their offerings online in a cost effective immediate manner.

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Qwest7 Deploys Netchemistry's Online Private Equity Offering Platform

February 2002

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Qwest7, Inc. has successfully launched NetChemistry's Web based Private Equity Offering Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's investment banking corporate clients.

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NetChemistry and eEYE Digital Security Announce Distribution Partnership

December 2001

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of secure Private/Public Offering platforms and eEye Digital Security, a leading provider of network security software products, today announced a partnership to distribute and implement eEye's superior security software products to the Financial Services Sector.

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U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Deploys NetChemistry's Online Directed Share Platform

November 2001

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray (USBPJ) has successfully launched NetChemistry's Directed Share Platform for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's investment banking corporate clients.

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Northport Deploys NetChemistry's Offering Management Platform for Credit Suisse First Boston

October 2001

Provider of investor services has successfully launched NetChemistry's offering software to distribute, track and manage Credit Suisse First Boston's (CSFB) employee co-investment programs"

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Northport Partnership Management, LLC has successfully launched NetChemistry's Offering Management Platform for the distribution, tracking and management of CSFB's employee co-investment programs.

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AngelStreet.com and NetChemistry Launch Online Marketplace for Angel Investors

March 2001

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that AngelStreet.com has successfully launched NetChemistry's Private Offering Platform for the funding of small to medium sized companies by Angel investors.

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Jefferies and Company Deploys NetChemistry's Online Offering Platform through DigitalOffering.com

February 2001

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of mission-critical, highly secure Private and Public Offering platforms to the Financial Services Sector, today announced that Jefferies and Company has successfully launched NetChemistry's ASP Offering Platform through DigitalOffering.com for the online distribution, tracking and management of the firm's investment banking corporate clients.

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At NetChemistry, Off-Lease Vehicles and Web Combine for Success

January 2001

"NetChemistry builds tools for AutoTradeCenter.com to reach Honda/Acura dealers on the internet."

NetChemistry, combining auto procurement, complex financial transaction problems and the Web, today announced that its Internet solution for AutoTradeCenter.com (OTCBB:AUTC) has helped drive the company into pole position. In partnership with AutoTradeCenter.com, NetChemistry built the Honda Finance Vehicle Inter-dealer Purchase System (VIPS) Web site, which launched in June 2000.

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NetChemistry Expounds on Revolutionary Internet Remarketing Technology for AutoTradeCenter.com

November 2000

AutoTradeCenter.com Inc. (OTCBB: AUTC - news) expounds on ATCAdvantage, the revolutionary Internet technology system designed and built by NetChemistry specifically for the diverse vehicle remarketing industry. Whether it's off-lease, rental, commercial fleets or company vehicles, the ATCAdvantage built-in flexibility and comprehensive features easily accommodate the varied requirements of the vehicle remarketer.

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ATCAdvantage and NetChemistry Revolutionize Internet Remarketing Technology

November 2000

AutoTradeCenter.com Inc. (OTCBB: AUTC - news) announced today the second generation of ATCAdvantage, an advanced Internet technology system based on the company's innovative B2B e-commerce model for vehicle remarketing built by NetChemistry. This development is the direct result of the AutoTradeCenter.com and NetChemistry's proven first generation systems and, industry demand for even more robust, scalable, business rules-based technology.

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AutoTradeCenter.com Saves Millions for American Honda Finance Corporation

August 2000

AutoTradeCenter.com Inc. (OTCBB:AUTC - news) announced today the automobile industry's first quantifiable savings realized by utilizing the Company's Internet technology in the redistribution of off-lease vehicles.

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Market-Leading Application Service Providers (ASPs) Join At&T Ecosystem

August 2000

helloNetwork.com, NetChemistry, BulkRegister.com, and NeuVis sign on with premier ASP program.

Application Service Providers (ASPs) representing several key industry market segments today joined AT&T's Ecosystem for ASPs. The program, launched in January, provides a foundation for ASPs to deliver high-performing and reliable network-based applications to business customers.

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NetChemistry Builds Tools for AutoTradeCenter.com to Reach Honda/Acura Dealers on the Web

July 2000

NetChemistry, a top-tier provider of secure Private/Public Offering platforms and NetChemistry, combining auto procurement, complex financial transaction problems and the Web, has announced that its Internet solution for AutoTradeCenter.com has helped drive the company into pole position.

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NetChemistry Launches Wireless-Enabled Private Placement Platform

July 2000

Today, NetChemistry, the benchmark in Internet solutions for the financial services sector, announced the first-ever, wireless-enabled Private Offering Module (POM) that can easily integrate with existing broker dealers' Internet platforms. Hosted at AT&T (NYSE: T) along with all NetChemistry securities procurement products, the new platform will dramatically improve the way broker dealers, accredited investors and issuing companies work together to complete private offerings.

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AutoTradeCenter.com Inc. Named by Forbes.com as One of the "Best of the Web: B2B

July 2000

AutoTradeCenter.com Inc. (OTC BB:AUTC - news) announced today that the Company has been named one of the "Best of the Web: B2B" by Forbes.com. The Company was judged on its strategy, its execution, its financial staying power and its Web site.

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NetChemistry Announces Board of Directors

June 2000

Founders of US Web and E*OFFERING Join Board

NetChemistry, the benchmark in Internet platforms for the financial services sector, has assembled a board of directors which includes respected members of the investment banking community and experienced leaders in the hyper-growth Internet financial services market. Chairman, Walter Cruttenden III, leads the board with Joe Firmage, Alfred Lutter, Anthony Leone and Frank Cutler, serving as directors.

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NetChemistry Closes $5.5 Million in Financing to Further Spur Growth in Financial Services E-Business

May 2000

NetChemistry, the leading specialist in e-business solutions for the financial services sector, completed its first round of financing, raising a total of $5.5 million. Cruttenden Partners, LLC was the lead investor with the Cutler Group, LP and strategic investors filling out the round. A private equity firm, Cruttenden Partners invests in and incubates technology companies in high-growth market sectors. The funding will be used toward expansion of existing operations.

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NetChemistry Opens its Doors in Newport Beach

December 1999

Client Roster Includes:

• Angelstreet.com
• MuniDirect.com
• Honda Finance
• Southern California Edison

NetChemistry, the only e-solutions firm specializing in the IPOs and Private Offerings, today announced the opening of its corporate headquarters in Newport Beach. Formed in December of this year, the company has already assembled a sizable client base that includes MuniDirect.com, an online brokerage firm that specializes in Municipal Bonds, and AngelStreet.com a private placement broker dealer.

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