MDRP 2013 Track 4: Systems

This week we'll be featuring MDRP 2013 event posts from our content partners, Huron Life Sciences. Today's author, Rajiv Mehrotra, recaps our day 2 Track Session: Systems 

With the expectation of the AMP Final Rule being published in January 2014 (or even later this year according to some speakers), the life sciences industry is eagerly as well as apprehensively looking to all the changes it would bring to existing rules and regulations. The changes would inevitably need to be translated into amendments in methodology and operations as well as to the existing systems. With special regards to systems, manufacturers must start thinking today so that they are in a position to appropriately “Analyze”, “Prioritize”, and “Implement” the necessary systems in time and comply with the new requirements.

During the Systems Track at the 2013 MDRP Annual Summit, several speakers shared examples of some of the expected changes that may come with the AMP Final Rule and which would need to be included/updated within the respective systems. Some of the examples discussed potential base date AMP recalculations according to the new regulations while others suggested proactively thinking about bundling arrangements especially in light of any new definitions/understanding that may be provided by the CMS. Several vendors alluded to being able to provide software solutions that could help manufacturers with implementation of such changes and automation of solutions for the new requirements. 

In order for vendors to be able to provide successful solutions it, however, becomes extremely important for manufacturers to take a more involved approach in the implementation. To this end, many vendor presentations aimed at educating the manufacturers on the need to critically think about these implementations. One vendor discussed the importance of appropriately defining business rules and requirements upfront and how that could serve as the building blocks for a successful system implementation. Another vendor added that manufacturers must think about system implementation more holistically – this meant identifying current issues and shifts in focus (e.g. moving from a Fee-for-Service Medicaid model to a Managed Medicaid model), transferring processes to systems, performing validations and evaluating impact of these changes, among others.

To round up the presentations, one vendor discussed its view of systems implementation in 2020. According to the vendor, the systems implementation model should shift toward a transformational model, a concept that is based upon understanding the current as well as the future trends of the industry and the manufacturer while also paying special attention not just to systems needs but also people and process needs. This “Transformational Journey Roadmap” would allow manufacturers to build a much broader view of not only how their business needs are met by the systems but also how the systems fit into the overall company’s people and process environment. Promising better efficiency and flexibility, this new transformational model would allow manufacturers to effectively change and improve based upon a future state vision and roadmap.

The 2013 MDRP Conference was a great event. Tons of exciting presentations and lots of new information to absorb. Kudos to the organizers! If you haven’t already, do provide your evaluations of what you thought of the conference to the organizers.