About www.minnesotahealthinfo.org: A guide to health care quality and cost in Minnesota

Background

Governor Pawlenty appointed former U.S. Senator David Durenberger in 2003 to chair the Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs. The Forum developed a number of recommendations for improving Minnesota’s health care system and containing rising costs.

Governor Pawlenty then appointed a Health Cabinet (made up of several state agency commissioners) to begin evaluating and implementing the Forum’s recommendations.

The Citizens Forum found that health care consumers are too often left in the dark about the quality and costs of health care. In response to that finding, a sub-group of the governor’s Health Cabinet created Minnesotahealthinfo.org.

This Web site is designed to provide Minnesotans with one place on the Internet where they can link to many sources of information on health care cost and quality.

Visitors to the site will be able to compare certain health providers, learn how to be a wise health care consumer, and get tips on managing their personal health, among other things.

The main categories of information on the site are:

Comparing cost and quality;
Assuring quality care;
Buying health care;
Managing your health condition; and
Staying healthy.

The work group that created the new Web site is one of four work groups created by the governor’s Health Cabinet to implement recommendations for improving Minnesota’s health care system. Other work groups are working on health care regulations, purchasing, and financing.

Questions and answers about Minnesotahealthinfo.org

What is Minnesotahealthinfo.org?

It’s a “clearinghouse” Web site designed to offer a wide range of information about the cost and quality of health care in Minnesota. On the site, you’ll be able to compare certain providers, learn how to be a wise health care consumer and better manage your personal health, among other things. The site will grow and change over time, so check back regularly.

Who created Minnesotahealthinfo.org?

The Governor’s Health Cabinet created the site, and it is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health.

What is the goal of Minnesotahealthinfo.org?

To help all Minnesotans better understand health care options, costs and quality.

Who is the main audience for the site?

Most information is targeted at health care consumers – patients, families and caregivers. Some resources are available for health care professionals, such as doctors, nurses and social workers.

Who decided what information should be included on the site?

The process included consulting with a wide range of stakeholder groups in Minnesota on the types of information they thought should be included. In addition, MDH staff conducted research to see what kind of information is included on similar sites sponsored by the federal government and other states.

The policy used to select the sites available through Minnesotahealthinfo.org is posted on the Web site. We will continue to include and solicit input from a range of community stakeholders as the Web site grows and changes over time.

If this information is already on the web, why do we need Minnesotahealthinfo.org?

It’s true that the new Web site primarily links to existing sources of information on the Web.

However, the average consumer may not know that specific sources of information exist and may even have a difficult time knowing which sites are reliable.

Consumers can also be overwhelmed by the sheer number of web sites that are available – for example, when you type “health care quality” into Google, you are given a list of 221,000 web sites! This clearinghouse Web site offers consumers a shortcut to an organized, more manageable number of reliable health and health care-related sources, many of which are specific to Minnesota.

As I’m linking to sites outside of Minnesotahealthinfo.org, how do I know that the information is accurate or reliable?

Links on Minnesotahealthinfo.org were carefully selected for their reliability and accuracy. Because you may continue linking to additional Web sites, the site also offers Tips for Evaluating Health Care Information on the Web. This is a consumer tool that will help you find your own sources of reliable information when you leave Minnesotahealthinfo.org.

Will the information on the Web site be Minnesota-specific?

To the extent possible, Minnesotahealthinfo.org links to Web sites created by organizations in Minnesota and connects consumers to Minnesota-specific pages within national or regional Web sites.

Does the web site address linguistically and culturally diverse audiences?

Several of the links on Minnesotahealthinfo.org are offered in both English and Spanish. The Web site also provides Multicultural Health Care Resources for consumers and health care professionals targeted at a wide range of languages and culturally diverse audiences.

The Web site provides cost and quality comparisons for hospitals and providers, but what if I want to learn more about my specific medical condition or how to prevent illness?

Avoiding illness or injury and managing your health condition properly are some of the best ways to stay healthy and reduce your overall health care costs. Minnesotahealthinfo.org connects you to resources that help you manage your specific disease or condition and improve your nutrition and physical activity.

Where can I request more information or send in comments about the Web site?

You can go to the “Contact Us” link on www.minnesotahealthinfo.org or simply e-mail Minnesota Health Information staff at health.info@state.mn.us.

For information about other activities of the Governor’s Health Cabinet, please visit www.maximumstrengthhealthcare.com.

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