Navigating the NYS Health Equity Impact Assessment Requirement: How Research & Marketing Strategies Can Assist You
Article by Susan S. Maxsween, MHSA – VP Healthcare Operations & Consulting
Effective June 22, 2023, New York State passed legislation that requires a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) to be filed with a Certificate of Need (CON) application. Over one year later, New York State continues to advance its commitment to improving health equity. The introduction of the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) requirement for Certificate of Need (CON) applications marks a significant step toward addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. For organizations preparing to submit a CON application, understanding and complying with this requirement is essential to the CON being approved. At Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS), we stand ready to assist as an independent entity, helping you navigate this complex process.
Understanding the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA)
The NYS HEIA is designed to ensure that healthcare projects, particularly those seeking funding or approval, are evaluated for their potential health impacts on the communities being served/serviced. The HEIA requirement mandates that Applicants (Article 28 facilities) demonstrate how their projects will affect the accessibility and delivery of healthcare services. This assessment will also help applying facilities determine whether their project will enhance health equity while also mitigating health disparities in the project’s service area, specifically among the medically underserviced groups[1].
The HEIA application process includes a 5-step structured approach to gather relevant information and research, which includes the following: (1) Scoping – which encompasses compilation and assessment of secondary demographic data of the project’s service area (or primary market area (PMA)); (2) Potential Impacts – which looks at impacts on health care access, health equity, and health disparities; (3) Mitigation – which seeks to identify how the Applicant can most effectively communicate the facility’s services and proposed plan to the community; (4) Monitoring – describes how the Applicant is monitoring the health equity impacts of the project once it is completed, and (5) Dissemination – The Applicant is required to publicly post the CON application and the HEIA supporting documentation on its website within one week of acknowledgment by New York State Department of Health[2].
Why Partner with RMS?
As an independent entity, RMS offers unbiased expertise and a tailored approach to your HEIA needs. Our commitment to excellence and deep understanding of health equity and regulatory requirements positions us as a valuable partner in your CON application process. By collaborating with RMS, you can ensure that your project not only meets regulatory standards but also genuinely contributes to improving health equity in New York State.
RMS is a full-service market research firm with a dedicated health care team. With the launch of the HEIA requirements in 2023, RMS launched involvement in this research as an Independent Entity, working closely with Applicants to complete the HEIA requirements. RMS understands the complexities of the requirements and will work with your organization in a tailored approach to conduct the research necessary to prepare a thorough assessment, with particular attention to ensure facilities have a mitigation plan as well as identifiable healthcare delivery impacts, while considering evolving NYS expectations in fulfilling all required processes and documentation. Our commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the HEIA requirements positions us as a valuable partner in your HEIA application process. As a research firm grounded in expertise and proven experience, we work with Applicants to provide actionable recommendations and develop strategies which are meaningful, impactful, and sustainable.
The HEIA requirement represents a pivotal opportunity for organizations to make a meaningful impact on health disparities. At RMS we are dedicated to guiding you through this process with precision and insight. Contact us today to learn how we can support your HEIA efforts and help you achieve your organizational goals with confidence.
For more information, please contact Susan Maxsween at SusanM@RMSresults.com. You can also visit www.RMSresults.com.
[1] Source: Health Equity Impact Assessment (ny.gov)
[2] Source: Health Equity Impact Assessment Program Documents (ny.gov)
RMS Relational Information:
About the Author – Susan Maxsween
Susan has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, specifically in regulatory and operational oversight, quality improvement and education while assisting managed care organizations, health systems and physician practices to transform their organizations to embrace operational changes to improve the quality driven approach in providing patient-centered care delivery. Susan has extensive experience in working with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure the firm strictly adheres to regulatory guidelines as an approved survey vendor and provides operational and compliance oversight for the Healthcare Division. Susan also serves as the HIPAA Compliance and Data Security Officer for the firm, bringing a commitment to operational excellence.
It’s good to know. We’re here for you.
Call us today, to see how we can help your organization.
Interested in conducting a market research project with RMS?
Contact our Vice President of Corporate Development, Sandy Baker at SandyB@RMSresults.com or call 1-866-567-5422.
About RMS Healthcare
Since 2010, RMS Healthcare, a division of Research and Marketing Strategies, Inc., has been leading healthcare organizations to embrace operational changes to improve the quality driven approach in providing patient-centered care delivery. We understand that every health system presents unique scenarios, challenges and ultimately, a passion to succeed. We work closely with our clients to cultivate cohesive and long-term partnerships. We have extensive experience in aligning practices to develop, implement and adopt processes to ensure sustainable success that embodies the tenants of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of care delivery, experience in leading Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) through the certification process. RMS Healthcare also has extensive experience in providing targeted healthcare consultative services based upon unique client needs.
About RMS
Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) is a full-service market research firm in Central New York. Formed in 2002, RMS helps organizations that are looking to know more about their customers and/or potential customers. They conduct surveys, focus groups, mystery shopping, studies and analysis. Each project is customized and gets personal attention by the best in the business. RMS has a reputation for getting results and offers an independent means to conduct telephone, on-line and mail surveying, In-depth interviews, intercept interviews, and participant recruitment as well as focus group hosting through QualiSight, its onsite call center and focus group facility. Taking advantage of the region’s reputation for being a great market study barometer, RMS recruits and moderates for focus groups, community forums and town meetings.