Civitas Networks for Health® is a national collaborative of member organizations working to use health information exchange, health data, and multi-stakeholder, cross-sector approaches to improve health. We were in Anaheim, California, this year for the Civitas Networks for Health 2025 Annual Conference. Join us as we recap selected sessions from this year’s events!
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
MetaStar and WISHIN are collaborating in Wisconsin to improve behavioral health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries by enhancing interoperability of health information technology. The initiative, funded by grants and state funding, addresses the prevalent co-occurring physical and mental health conditions among Medicaid beneficiaries, often complicated by siloed healthcare systems.
MetaStar’s “Behavioral Health Connect” project focuses on assisting behavioral health organizations, many of which lack the capacity or knowledge for health IT implementation. They offer a two-pronged approach:
- Self-directed Support: An online community platform (BHConnect) serves as a peer-to-peer collaboration space, akin to a social media platform for behavioral health providers. It houses project resources, facilitates communication, and provides on-demand learning to county-level communities.
- Direct Support: MetaStar conducts health IT needs assessments and develops tailored work plans based on organizational priorities. They offer flexible on-site or remote assistance, recognizing that many organizations—from large health systems to single providers—are focused on daily operations rather than strategic IT planning.
- Key findings from MetaStar’s outreach highlight significant challenges: a lack of basic infrastructure like Wi-Fi, patient portals as a luxury, reliance on consumer IT support, and high technical assistance needs, especially in rural areas. Data indicate 89% of organizations still use fax for information exchange, with only 11% using Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). Despite these barriers, organizations appreciate the support in navigating health IT and project management, particularly regarding cost and competing priorities.
WISHIN, a state-designated HIE with 15 years of experience, plays a crucial role in promoting interoperability. They offer three core products: WISHIN Pulse (a Community Health Record), Event Notifications (Patient Activity Reports), and DAV-certified data for HEDIS reporting. WISHIN connects over 2,200 sites of care across Wisconsin, with approximately 80% of hospitals in Wisconsin participating. They are actively working to move organizations away from faxing and are responding to RFIs for rural health transformation.
The collaboration has demonstrated important use cases for behavioral health:
- Program Eligibility & Benefit Determination: Age and Disability Resource Centers utilize the HIE for these purposes.
Crisis Services: Access to clinical information for timely intervention. - Street Medicine Programs: Enabling field access to information for homeless populations.
- Community Paramedic Field Use: Integrating behavioral health into 911 calls for earlier intervention and assisting with billing for services.
- Crisis Safety Plans: Providing crucial information for behavioral health resources and law enforcement, leading to a reduction in emergency detentions and promoting more dignified care.
Both organizations meet monthly to structure their collaboration, share new developments, and pursue joint funding opportunities and shared metrics for outcomes. They acknowledge challenges such as the stigma around behavioral health and the need for funding solutions, particularly for EMS agencies to leverage HIE information efficiently within their workflows. The ultimate goal is to provide timely interventions, reduce risks, and keep more individuals experiencing behavioral health crises at home rather than in jail.
