Data sharing across the health and social care continuum is a necessary component of coordinated wholeperson care delivery. Since 2021, California’s Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal transformation
initiative, otherwise known as CalAIM, has been a driving force for community-based providers across the state, driving coordinated cross-sector care via transformative Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports services. Providers that previously worked in health and social services siloes have been expected to adopt data sharing practices with one another in alignment with CalAIM requirements overseen by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). However, local communities have continued to struggle with widespread adoption of cross-sector data sharing practices given the complexities of overlapping and complicated local, state, and federal regulations.
The value of adopting a Minimum Data Set (MDS) is to enhance CalAIM data sharing by aligning policies
with local needs for whole-person care coordination. San Diego County collaborators developed an MDS
to simplify regulatory complexities and amplify the value of data sharing, building stronger community
buy-in and trust of cross-sector data sharing.
