Data Collection, La. Stat. Ann. § 40:1173.2

Data collection; powers and duties of the Department of Health and Hospitals

The Department of Health and Hospitals with the Health Data Panel must:

• Identify the health care cost, quality, and performance data elements to be reported to the Department using existing national standards to allow consumers to meaningfully compare costs of specific health care services among various health care providers.
• Develop accuracy, quality, and efficiency standards for data.
• Identify the most practical ways to collect, transmit and share data.
• Utilize existing databases.
• Ensure patient confidentiality is preserved by making sure entities follow HIPAA.
• Coordinate with the Department of Insurance on health plan cost, quality and performance data collected from health plans.
• Include risk adjustment measures into health care cost, quality and performance data.
• Provide a process for internet publication of the health care cost, quality and performance data collected to be able to be accessed and used by consumers.
• Ensure that any data that is released not include identifiers.