Electronic Health Reporter

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (June 26, 2018) — Qualidigm, the mission-driven, national
healthcare consulting think tank based in Wethersfield, Conn., and Maine Quality Counts, a regional health
improvement collaborative of Manchester, Maine, are pleased to announce their
execution of an affiliation to merge agreement, effective immediately. The
governing boards of both entities agreed to the merger to expand the organizations’
combined expertise and collaboratively transform health and healthcare throughout
New England. Under the terms of the agreement, the merger will be complete on
August 1, 2019.   

Collectively,
Qualidigm and Maine Quality Counts have been providing healthcare consulting
and quality improvement services to a variety of government and private-sector
clients for over 50 years. Currently, Qualidigm leads several local, regional
and national healthcare quality improvement programs, and serves as a partner
on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Quality Innovation
Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) contract in New England. Maine
Quality Counts leads the Northern New England Practice Transformation Network
and many other initiatives in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, including
programs that address the opioid epidemic and enhance child health care.

“This merger consolidates both organizations’ well-respected experience and
qualifications, with the goal of providing comprehensive, coordinated, quality
improvement services that support patients and healthcare providers throughout New
England and the United States,” said Dr. Timothy Elwell, Qualidigm President and
CEO. “Combining forces with Maine Quality Counts positions us to deliver
healthcare innovations to all citizens and healthcare providers in Northern New
England. Equally important is the national dissemination of innovative ideas
and best practices that will be possible through our rural healthcare center of
excellence centered in Maine.”

“Maine Quality Counts is excited to join forces with Qualidigm,” said Larry
Clifford, Maine Quality Counts Executive Director. “The alignment and synergies
of our combined expertise will enable us to extend the reach and impact of our
services to improve and transform healthcare in Maine, New England, and beyond.”

Additionally,
Maine Quality Counts is a nationally recognized leader in the Choosing Wisely
initiatives, which promotes conversations between physicians and patients about the overuse of medical
tests and procedures. With Qualidigm as a founding member of the CT Choosing
Wisely Collaborative, this merger provides an opportunity to bring a unified
campaign to providers and consumers in New England.

Maine
Quality Counts will continue to use their current organizational name until the
merger is complete in 2019. However, new branding that incorporates the
Qualidigm identity will be in place immediately. Elwell will lead the new
organization once the merger has been completed.

About
Qualidigm:

With its corporate headquarters in Wethersfield, Conn. and offices
in Dover, NH; Barre, VT; and Providence, RI, Qualidigm’s
mission is to provide technical assistance and develop strategies that improve
the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare through
transformational change. Qualidigm provides consulting services to public and
private sector clients nationwide. These services include consulting, data
analysis, health information technology, patient safety, quality improvement, and
utilization review. Qualidigm is part of a team that is serving as the Medicare
Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) under
contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for New England.
Qualidigm is also a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) as designated by the
State of Connecticut. www.Qualidigm.org

About Maine
Quality Counts:
Maine Quality Counts (QC) is a non-profit organization,
headquartered in Manchester, Maine, working to improve the health of everyone
in Maine by improving the way health care is delivered. The organization brings
together the people who give, get and pay for health care and provide the tools
and leadership they need to make sure Maine residents care that is truly
patient-centered. Driven by a spirit of collaboration, Maine Quality Counts
works with over 70 partners from health care, government, civil society and the
community to achieve shared quality improvement goals. www.MaineQualityCounts.org

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