Contact: Julie Bartels, Executive Director
Wisconsin Health Information Organization
(920) 336-0409
(877) 339-0409
Julie.Bartels@thedacare.org
Health insurance industry veteran tapped as part of statewide effort to improve health care quality and value
Larry Rambo, regional CEO of Humana, has been elected chairman of the nonprofit Wisconsin Health Information Organization, a collaborative group of insurers, hospitals, physicians, major employers, health care quality organizations and government agencies.
In November, the group launched one of the largest and most comprehensive sources of comparative health information in the United States, and it is currently in the process of expanding this data-driven marketplace. The diverse members of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization share a commitment to improving health care quality and value and created the WHIO Health Analytics Exchange to deliver actionable information to those on the front lines of the health care system.
Rambo is among the founders of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization, and early leadership from Humana in Milwaukee played a key role in securing the involvement of other insurers and health care organizations statewide. The commitment of the insurance industry was key to the effort because the WHIO Health Analytics Exchange is based on de-identified patient claims data that can be used to analyze health system and individual physician performance based on hundreds of variables.
Although individual businesses and insurers have long had access to their own health records, data held in the Exchange pools the experiences of more than 1.6 million people and 72 million treatment services. This combined information and the accompanying analytics are extremely valuable to all health care stakeholders. The resulting data can be used to identify gaps in care for the treatment of chronic conditions, cost per episode of care, population health issues, preventable hospital readmissions and variations in generic prescribing.
“The Wisconsin Health Information Organization enables health care providers, insurers and employers to deliver greater value, accuracy and quality, which all result in better care for Wisconsin residents,” Rambo said. “This voluntary collaboration proves that meaningful change can happen at the local level. And, we look forward to expanding the program as additional health systems and health plans recognize the benefits of participation.”
A native of Stoughton, Wis., Rambo has gained respect throughout the Wisconsin health care industry for his skill in bridging diverse viewpoints and bringing multiple parties to the table to achieve solutions. Prior to joining Humana in 2000, he served as chief executive officer of PrimeCare Health Plan, now known as UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s degree in health services administration from UW–Madison and was assistant vice president at Wausau Hospital from 1975 to 1977.
Julie Bartels, executive director of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization, said Rambo’s leadership of the 14-member board of directors will enhance the group’s efforts to drive improvements in the transparency, quality and value of health care. Already, the Exchange is being held up as a national model for others to follow.
Members of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization include: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin; Greater Milwaukee Business Foundation on Health; Humana; The Alliance; United Healthcare of Wisconsin; WEA Insurance Trust; WPS Health Insurance; Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin; Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan; MercyCare Insurance Co.; Security Health Plan; Health Tradition Health Plan; Dean Health System; Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality; Wisconsin Medical Society; Wisconsin Hospital Association; Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds; and Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
For more information, visit http://www.WisconsinHealthInfo.org.
For more information about Humana, visit http://www.Humana.com.
