Analysis
The Office of the Secretary within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a request for information (RFI) to better understand the effects of the steps taken by health care systems and health care providers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HHS notes that it is interested in “effective and innovative approaches and best practices implemented by health care systems, academic centers, and health care providers for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 health conditions.” Methods that have led to verifiable improvements in patient outcomes, access to health care, safety, quality, and/or value, are of particular interest to the agency.
The full set of questions the agency is seeking a response to is included in the RFI starting on p. 5. In brief, the questions relate to:
- Health promotion and prevention of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 medical conditions;
- Screening/surveillance/case identification of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 medical conditions;
- Treatment for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 medical conditions;
- Telehealth;
- Mental health/behavioral health and substance use disorder innovations/best practices;
- Population-level interventions; and
- Other topics, including those related to the continuity of operations such as work force and supply chain issues, as well as the delivery of long-term services and supports or other home-and-community-based services.
HHS states that it will use the information it receives from this request to inform and/or improve its priorities and programs. Comments are due by December 24.