Overview
The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) is an independent agency established under Section 20 of Chapter 12C of the Massachusetts General Laws. CHIA succeeded the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy and assumed many of that agency’s responsibilities.
CHIA’s website states,
CHIA's mission is to be the agency of record for Massachusetts health care information, to responsibly steward sensitive and confidential data, and to objectively report reliable and meaningful information about the quality, affordability, utilization, access, and outcomes of the Massachusetts health care system. . . .
[CHIA] serves as the Commonwealth’s primary hub for health care data and a primary source of health care analytics that support policy development.
CHIA is managed by an executive director, who is appointed by a majority vote of the Governor, Attorney General, and State Auditor. It is overseen by the Health Information and Analysis Oversight Council, which manages its budget allocation and provides guidance on research and analytics conducted by CHIA. The council is an 11-member body that was established through the fiscal year 2016 budget process and meets quarterly. The executive director and council members serve five-year terms and can be reappointed.
During fiscal year 2021, CHIA had an approved budget of $31,320,586. During our audit period, CHIA had approximately 150 employees in various units: Communication and External Affairs, Human Resources and Administration, Legal, Finance, Health Informatics and Reporting, Strategy and Research, Provider Finance, and Data Operations and Technology. CHIA is located at 501 Boylston Street in Boston.
CompareCare
CompareCare is a public website that CHIA launched in 2018 and currently maintains in accordance with Section 20 of Chapter 12C of the General Laws. According to the website,
CompareCare is the product of collaboration between Massachusetts government health care agencies and health care partners who provide care and coverage for residents of the Commonwealth.
CompareCare offers various tools, such as a tool to help consumers compare costs of medical procedures at different healthcare facilities in the state and another to help consumers compare the quality of local hospitals and healthcare facilities. It also offers help to consumers so they can make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage and healthcare needs. Finally, it offers help to consumers so they can troubleshoot issues with medical services, medical bills, health insurance, and healthcare.
| Date published: | December 31, 2021 |
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