Pediatric Practice Immunization Rates Surpass Pre-COVID Rates

  • 07 Feb 2021

In July, OHIC and EOHHS, at the request of Governor Raimondo, issued one-time grant payments to pediatric primary care providers that experienced financial hardship during COVID-19, and in return asked that pediatric providers take targeted actions to ensure patients get caught up on immunizations. As a group, childhood immunizations (including lead screenings) have improved across all categories.

Practice Facilitation support was made possible through generous support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). A huge thank you to BCBSRI and the practice facilitators, Vicki Crowningshield, Susan Dettling, and Suzanne Herzberg for assisting practices in any way needed. 

RIDOH’s KIDSNET assistance provided data twice per month, consulted at numerous meetings, and provided direct support to practices - all critically important to the success of this project. A special thanks to Ellen Amore and Janet Limoges.

A special shout out to Libby Bunzli, Director of Health System Transformation and Cory King, Director of Policy for their leadership and hard work with operationalizing the application and payment process, done in record speed and to the Governor’s task force, including members of RI AAP for recognizing the critical importance of pediatric practices in keeping our children safe and healthy. This project resulted in $4 million paid to pediatric practices and garnered national attention from the Center for Health Care Strategies (read their Nov. 9, 2020 blog article).

The last report on 2020 immunization and lead screening results was distributed to practices this month. It’s been CTC-RI/PCMH Kids’ pleasure to provide this information and witness the progress made by the participants of this program. We will resume reporting in the Spring, allowing KIDSNET time to adjust the time period and the lead screening criteria to match OHIC’s measurement specifications. We are happy to continue this effort, especially as COVID-19 continues to challenge Rhode Island’s healthcare system.

Below is the group’s performance over time. Great work!

In addition, EOHHS implemented the Medicaid Pediatric Primary Care Rate Supplement program through the end of calendar year 2020, to provide monthly financial incentives to pediatric primary care practices to ensure all children are up to date with the full array of essential, preventive healthcare services by overcoming COVID-19 related barriers to access. This group worked hard to improve Medicaid Access to Care performance, resulting in $3 million total funding provided to participating practices. Here is the group’s performance overtime. Outstanding performance!

Throughout the program, as relevant resources became available, CTC-RI collated a Pediatric Immunization Resource Guide to inform and assist practices. Here is the latest version of the Pediatric Immunization Resource Guide.