Enhancing interRAI
Enhancing interRAI is a multi-state collaborative effort to build infrastructure that helps states implement interRAI instruments across the US. The program helps states collect more accurate information with the least amount of burden and take full advantage of these data to improve program operations. Our tagline says it simply: Using Better Data, Better.
ADvancing States acted as an incubator for the initiative, originally called ADvancing interRAI. It evolved into Enhancing interRAI once it became sustainable. Today, Enhancing interRAI operates exclusively through HCBS Strategies, in collaboration with interRAI Fellows. We are committed to providing states with technical assistance, best practices, and resources to successfully implement and optimize interRAI instruments in HCBS programs.
HCBS
What is interRAI?
interRAI is an international nonprofit organization that develops and validates scientifically sound assessment systems. interRAI instruments provide a comprehensive, data-driven approach to evaluating the needs of individuals in HCBS programs. These tools support:
Person-Centered Care
Evidence-based insights enable person-centered care plans that meet individual needs and strengthen care coordination solutions across providers and settings.
Consistency
Standardized assessments ensure data are collected objectively, meeting federal requirements and supporting reliable Medicaid data reporting and program operations.
Efficiency
Streamlined assessment processes reduce administrative burden, improving workflow for assessors and the assessment experience for participants.
Continuous Quality Improvement
interRAI data and algorithms enable data-driven performance monitoring, program evaluation, and outcomes measurement over time.
Data-Driven Decision Making
interRAI assessments are backed by extensive research and generate actionable data to support program evaluation, HCBS policy development, and service improvements.
What support does Enhancing interRAI offer my state?
The Enhancing interRAI Core Package delivers essential supports to help states adopt the interRAI Home Care (HC) assessment or better utilize existing interRAI HC data. Our HCBS assessment solutions are designed to reduce burden while improving data quality and program impact.
Cross-State Collaboration
Participating states meet bimonthly to discuss interRAI implementation challenges and successes, share strategies and best practices, and provide input on the Enhancing interRAI initiative.
Onboarding Support and Recommendation Development
Each participating state receives a high-level operational review to assess how integrating the interRAI HC tool will affect HCBS program functions. The review identifies operational impacts and provides recommendations for leveraging interRAI to drive broader system improvements.
Operations and Policy Guidance
Participating states gain access to a growing library of implementation support materials, such as algorithm explainers and software vendor responsibility guides. These resources translate case studies and academic research into practical tools for state staff and policymakers working on HCBS policy development.
Training Support
High-quality training is essential for accurate data collection. Enhancing interRAI offers:
- Assistance developing or updating training plans so staff are engaged, educated, and ready for implementation
- One on-site assessor training in each state’s first year, delivered by experienced interRAI trainers
- Participation in the Training Consortium, which hosts informational webinars and office hours monthly
- Optional access to the self-paced online course Mastering the HC, developed by interRAI Fellows and hosted on the Relias platform
Data Analysis and Reporting
With interRAI’s cross-state standardization, participating states can compare participant characteristics in a scientifically valid way. Enhancing interRAI provides technical support to ensure data encoding aligns with interRAI standards and annual reports featuring non-PHI cross-state profiles. These reports support Medicaid data reporting, population insights, and outcomes measurement across participating states.
Technical Assistance (TA)
Each participating state receives basic TA, with the option to arrange enhanced TA for more in-depth support. TA may cover topics such as:
- Enhancing No Wrong Door systems
- Translating and testing Level of Care criteria
- Developing prioritization and waiting list frameworks
- Using interRAI data for budgeting or resource allocation
- Supporting HCBS policy development and program design
Most states also select additional support tailored to state-specific needs, including instrument automation, stakeholder engagement, and restructuring eligibility or level of care (LOC) criteria, resource allocation approaches, or other state-specific algorithms.
While Enhancing interRAI primarily focuses on implementing the interRAI HC assessment, our project team has extensive experience supporting the adoption and integration of interRAI instruments across diverse age and disability groups, including the interRAI Contact Assessment (CA), Early Years (EY), Pediatric Home Care (PEDS-HC), and Intellectual Disability (ID) tools. We welcome discussions on unique challenges and opportunities to customize HCBS assessment solutions that best serve your programs.
Reach out to discuss how we can help enhance your assessment processes, strengthen care coordination solutions, and improve outcomes for individuals receiving HCBS.