Dear Abby M. Zealot

From MITA Zealot to Dear Abby, I would like to take this opportunity to share a reader’s comment with you since the response may be valuable in your life, love, and pursuit of MITA happiness. In response to my “get involved” post, “Sue” (name may have been changed to protect the innocent) writes:

[Dear Abby M. Zealot]
I agree, there needs to be more participation but with all of the subgroups involved, it is not easy to figure out how to get involved where and when. Any help you could offer is appreciated. Thanks.

Sue,

Thanks for your question! While I will never espouse full comprehension of all interactions, below is the world as I know it.

CMS – We all know who they are and the only way to join is to become a Fed. (grin!)

CMS MITA Team – The contracted team assisting CMS in MITA’s continuing evolution is also closed to the general public.

NMEH MITA SWG – This group reviews MITA artifacts allowing states to have input into modifying/improving new versions of the Business and Information Architecture. Open to all state staff members and their sponsored participants, this group is 800+ members and both public/private sector.

HL7 MITA Project – This group will convene in January to begin the process of modeling the MITA Business Processes using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and HL7 standards. Both public and private sector individuals are invited to participate. Membership in HL7 is required to have a vote on proposed standards.

Systems Technical Advisory Group (STAG) – This group is sanctioned as an advisory body to CMS and has been on many issues preceding the introduction of MITA. They continue to act as a conduit for CMS to disseminate MITA related information. CMS selects one representative from each region to participate, by invitation only.

Private Sector Technical Advisory Group (PS-TG) – Comprised of vendors in the same private industry role as the STAG, this group is recognized as an advisory body to CMS. Their MITA focus is in continued development of the Technical Architecture. The group is open to all vendors and rumor has it that some of the more tech-savvy state reps may have been invited to participate as well.

Business Architecture Review Board (BARB) – The newest addition to the family, this group is also by invitation only and is comprised of invited state staff who will participate in the governance process established to moderate MITA’s evolution.

With so much to choose from, you may find yourself asking, “Where should I start?” Here are my recommended steps for interested parties from both the public and private sectors:

Public (State and Federal Staff)

1. Join the NMEH Listserv! This is the broadest group and most of the relevant information flows through here at one point or another. Email Andrea.Danes@FOXsys.com for information on how to enroll.
2. Participate in the HL7 MITA Project. Even if you cannot get approved to travel in January, hook up with the project’s cochairs (Marykay.McDaniel@azahcccs.gov or wbranch@csc.com (Bill Branch)) to stay in the loop on their activities, many of which may be done remotely in between face-to-face trimester meetings.
3. Identify your state’s primary point of contact for STAG and insure that he/she is aware of your interest in MITA so information from the STAG can be forwarded to you.
4. Techno-geeks only: If you proudly wear your propeller hat in public, an email to the PS-TG to see if they would let you participate in their Technical Architecture discussions might be in order. Email dwalsh@ESRV.COM with your qualifications for more information.

Private (The “other side” comprised of vendors and fiscal agents)

1. If you are currently working on a state contract and the lead for that state likes you well enough, you could ask for sponsorship to join the NMEH Listserv. Email Andrea.Danes@FOXsys.com for information on how to enroll.
2. Just like step two for the public sector folks, participate in the HL7 MITA Project. Even if you cannot get approved to travel in January, hook up with the project’s cochairs (Marykay.McDaniel@azahcccs.gov or wbranch@csc.com (Bill Branch)) to stay in the loop on their activities, many of which may be done remotely in between face-to-face trimester meetings.
3. Since you are a vendor or fiscal agent, the propeller hat is optional for participation in the PS-TG. If you would like to learn more about the private sector participation in MITA’s evolution, send an email to the PS-TG for information about membership. Dues are a modest $50 per year so it will not break the corporate bank. Email dwalsh@ESRV.COM for more information.

The world as we know it is subject to change. But while we still know who’s on first, now is the time to swing for the fences!

Sincerely,
Abby M. Zealot