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CA BH-EHR RFI Vendor Questions and Answers

1. Is there a scheduled release date for the CA BH-EHR RFI results to be shared with the 58 California counties?
   
   The tentative publish date for the CA BH-EHR RFI results are on January 16, 2009.


2. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the CA BH-EHR Request for Information in an MS word version?
   
   Yes. Click CA BH-EHR RFI to access the MS Word version.


3. For responses that are written in collaboration between two companies, how will those partnerships be revealed as you roll out the RFI responses to the various counties?
   
   Collaboration between two companies should be revealed the CA BH-EHR RFI section E Partner and/or Reseller References (see page 10). There is also a column in the RFI Functional Requirements Survey for 3rd Party information. It is therefore encouraged that vendors disclose their 3rd Party partnership. The CA BH-EHR RFI responses submitted by the vendors will be available on the DMH MHSA website for counties' assessment.


4. On the Practice Management worksheet, there are 3 requirements that I don't understand:
• Requirement 42.113: We don't understand how this would be possible. How could a system know that the entered data was for the wrong account (etc.)? Perhaps we are misunderstanding the question.
  
  Requirement 42.113 states - The system shall be able to prevent entering non-valid A/R data. Non-valid data would be determined from predefined lists. Preventing data being written to the wrong open receivable would mean to verify client/date.


• Requirement 26.009: We don't understand this question. Can you provide any clarification?
  
  Requirement 26.009 states - The system shall be able to input, modify, inactivate, delete, update, display, copy, and print healthcare service providers system attributes. These attributes are important for fee schedule changes, etc.


• Requirement 28.016: We don't understand this question. Can you provide any clarification?
  
  Requirement 28.016 states - The system shall support the collection, compilation, reporting and analysis of all mandated outcomes. Tracking client-specific treatment plans and outcomes are "mandated".
5. Has there been any consideration given to extending the deadline?
   
   Yes, vendor responses due date has been extended. The new date is Dec 5, 2008.


6. The text box for comments in the Functional Requirements Survey does not wrap text nor allow a vendor to configure the cell so that text will wrap. This is problematic in terms of submitting a comprehensive response.
   
   DMH has reformatted the cell in order to wrap text. An updated survey format was published to show all the text in a cell.


7. Understanding that each county will select a vendor, is it safe to say that every medical or behavioral health facility in that county will use the same EHR selected by that county?
   
   We cannot presume that every medical or behavioral health facility in that county will use the same EHR system.


8. Approximately how many practices, facilities, physicians and providers are in each county?
   
   DMH does not have these statistics. Vendor will need to consult and obtain information from each county.


9. Do the physicians travel from different locations or practice more than one location?
   
   To the best of our knowledge, we believe that physicians travel from different locations and/or practice at more than one location.


10. Will laboratory, radiology, or other results be sent to the clinics from a hospital, lab or similar facility?
    
    To the best of our knowledge, we believe that laboratory, radiology or other results shared between outside entities and the County's are variable and may rely on third-party vendors. Vendor will need to consult and obtain information from each county.


11. Approximately how many hospitals or labs are in each county that would require an interface for result delivery?
    
    Vendor will need to consult and obtain information from each county.


12. Should the other county be using a different vendor's solution, will a basic export of data be sufficient or will it require an HL7 interface to view the data?
    
    The vendor should refer to the standard requirements identified in the "Capital Facilities and Technological Needs Component Guidelines - Appendix B (EHR and PHR Standard Requirements).


13. Can you clarify what participation the state of California will play in funding any purchase of a county EHR system?
    
    The vendor should refer to the "Capital Facilities and Technological Needs Component Guidelines - Enclosure 1 and 3.