Audit of the Center for Health Information and Analysis

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of the Center for Health Information and Analysis, covering January 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, January 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020.”

The audit checked whether CHIA kept its CompareCare health care website updated at least yearly, as required by state law.

“The purpose of this audit was to determine whether CHIA maintained information that was updated at least annually on its consumer healthcare information website, CompareCare, as required by Section 20 of Chapter 12C of the General Laws.”

People using the site may be seeing old health care cost information instead of current comparisons.

“As a result, consumers do not have access to the latest information on comparative prices and costs for common healthcare services.”

If you are trying to compare hospitals, providers, quality, or costs, outdated information could make it harder to make a good choice.

“Consumers may need this information to make proper choices regarding healthcare providers, healthcare quality, and healthcare costs.”

The auditor’s recommendation was simple: CHIA should keep CompareCare updated every year.

“CHIA should maintain information that is updated at least annually on CompareCare.”

CHIA said it updated the site after the audit period to include 2017 data and expects to be able to make annual updates going forward.

“Subsequent to the audit period, CHIA refreshed the data on CompareCare to reflect calendar year 2017 (the most current extract available to the agency).”

The issue matters because CompareCare is supposed to help the public compare health care quality, prices, and costs, not just provide general background information.

“According to Sections 20(a) and (b) of Chapter 12C of the Massachusetts General Laws, CHIA is required to maintain a consumer healthcare information website.”

CompareCare is the public website CHIA runs to help Massachusetts residents compare health care prices, quality, and related information.

“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.”