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Learn how this community-based care organization went from member frustration to seamless access.
VillageCare is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that serves individuals with chronic care needs, seniors, and those requiring continuing care and rehabilitation services. For over 40 years, VillageCare has provided healthcare services to residents of New York City, driven by its mission to promote healing, better health, and well-being through a comprehensive array of community and residential programs, as well as managed care.
The organization relied on raw data extracts from a third-party administrator (TPA), requiring monthly updates to a master list. This manual process was inefficient and led to delays and inaccuracies in provider directories, frustrating both VillageCare and its members. Members often encountered discrepancies between the web search experience and the actual in-network providers and their locations.
Regulatory changes added to the complexity. The CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule mandated that managed care plans offer a FHIR-compliant provider directory. Additionally, Managed-Care Organization (MCO) rules required provider directory user interfaces (UI) to comply with Section 508 accessibility standards and the Policy for Accessibility of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
To address these challenges, VillageCare needed a provider directory UI that improved accessibility, offered robust search capabilities, and integrated seamlessly with their new provider directory FHIR APIs.
Leap Orbit’s solution integrates with VillageCare’s FHIR 4.0.1 server, combining multiple FHIR resources—Practitioner, Practitioner Role, Organization, and Affiliations—into a seamless, mobile-responsive provider search experience.
Designed with an accessibility-first approach, the UI is 508 compliant and adheres to WCAG standards. Leap Orbit also ensured VillageCare’s continued compliance with requirements for printed directories by partnering with Command Direct, which uses the FHIR server to produce hard copies for members.
"It was really great to find someone that was ready to go with FHIR format." -- Ku’uipo Curry, Director IT Data Management, VillageCare
The new search experience eliminated additional manual steps, focusing all data validation and updates on producing their API. This API not only powers VillageCare’s current needs but also positions the organization for similar use cases in the future.
Leap Orbit’s search solution is also fully “white-labelable” and customizable for any carrier’s FHIR API, offering flexibility for broader applications.
Click here to try out VillageCare’s new provider search experience.