Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program (MEDTAPP) Project
In September of 1995, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) entered into an interagency agreement to promote health services research related to the Ohio Medicaid Program at Ohio's institutions of higher education. As a result of this agreement a Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program (MEDTAPP) committee was formed with representatives from OBOR, the Health Services Research Task Force (HSRTF) of the Ohio Medical School Council of Deans, and ODJFS with overall authority for administering the policy relevant services.
Between 1995 and 2000 ODJFS has sent out five invitations, to Ohio's institutions to participate in the Medicaid related research projects. The invitations generated huge interest among the researchers in all universities and as a result ODJFS received many good proposals. All proposals went through a rigorous review process which included the MEDTAPP Advisory Committee, external reviewers, and ODJFS staff. Each proposal was evaluated based on its relevance to the Medicaid Program, validity of the research design and methods, applicant qualifications and experience, time line for completion, and reasonableness of the proposed budget. As of today, a total of twenty (20) projects have been funded . Areas of investigation touch the areas of prenatal care and childbirth, emergency room utilization for infants, behavioral health services, managed care for the disabled population, hospital care, nursing home care, pharmacy services, risk -adjusted patient outcomes and quality measures. Some of the selected studies are complete and are already providing the department with valuable and much needed information to guide the department's strategies to secure the best health care possible for Medicaid consumers in Ohio.
The Health Services Research section within the bureau of Health Plan Policy sponsored three bi-annual Health Services Research Symposiums, and invited interested health care researchers from all Ohio universities, public and private policy makers, health care administrators and Medicaid related interest groups to participate and learn about the MEDTAPP program . Ohio's leading academic scholars from different universities presented their work related to research funded through MEDTAPP. National experts on health care policies were also invited to speak at the symposiums. This bi-annual event is well attended and it helps to attract interested researchers who are looking for an opportunity to participate in the funding process.
MEDTAPP is an unique opportunity and the department is committed to make the best use of this joint venture. This partnership between ODJFS, OBOR and the academic institutions could not come at a better time. As we move into the world of managed care we need to be very knowledgeable about the health care market place and about the needs of our Medicaid consumers. We believe high quality and timely research is the key to success in our new role as a value purchaser. In establishing this partnership, Medicaid seeks to draw upon the special knowledge and skills of Ohio's scholars to better prepare ODJFS and other state agencies for the great challenges and opportunities facing the financing and delivery of health services to the state's disadvantaged populations.
Visit this page often. There will be continuous updates on reports from previously funded projects, as well, as information on future Symposiums, and Requests for New Applications.