Empowering Rural Health Care Providers: Leveraging Data for Quality, Equity, and Research 

At the 2025 Rural Health Forum, we had the opportunity to speak directly with health care leaders, clinicians, and community advocates who are working every day to improve the lives of Minnesotans in rural communities. We were proud to share how MN Community Measurement (MNCM) is partnering with rural providers to ensure that their voices—and their data—are seen, heard, and acted upon in ways that drive meaningful improvements in care.

Why Rural Representation in Health Data Matters

Rural providers deliver essential services to over 1.2 million Minnesotans, yet they often face barriers to participating in the same research initiatives as larger and urban systems. When rural providers are excluded, so are rural patients. This means the unique challenges, strengths, and opportunities in these communities can go unrecognized in statewide or national decisions about payment models, health care investments, and public health strategy.

MNCM is committed to closing that gap.

Using Existing Data for Local Impact

A core message from our presentation was this: you don’t need to do more to get more out of your data.

Rural providers already submit data to MNCM through standardized quality measurement processes. We’re working to ensure that these data are transformed into practical, timely insights that providers can use to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity.

We shared examples of how clinics have used their MNCM reports to identify disparities, track improvements in chronic condition management, and benchmark performance against similar practices statewide.

CHIRP: Streamlining Data Sharing Between Providers and Payers

One initiative we’re especially excited about is the Common Health Information Reporting Partnership (CHIRP). This innovative program is designed to reduce administrative burden by standardizing and streamlining bidirectional data flows between providers and payers.

By submitting data once through MNCM, clinics can satisfy multiple payer reporting requirements—and receive payer data in a standardized format to more easily integrate the information into data systems and workflows. Provider-to-payer data feeds are now live, and payer-to-provider feeds are in final testing and are expected to go live this fall.

When fully implemented, with a steady cadence of bi-directional feeds, gap reports will include more timely and complete data and provide visibility into care delivered outside of the medical group for key measures – ultimately saving time, improving consistency, and allowing providers to focus more on patient care.

A key strength of CHIRP is that it is governed by its participants—both payers and providers—who collectively shape the direction and structure of the program. Together, they determine which use cases are allowed under CHIRP, what specific data elements are included in each data feed, and how data can be shared. Legal addendums tailored to each participant outline the terms of their participation, including who they authorize data exchange with. This participant-led approach ensures that the program is responsive to real-world needs, maintains transparency and trust, and supports data-sharing agreements that align with organizational priorities and privacy standards.

Expanding Opportunities Through the MN EHR Consortium

We also highlighted the opportunity for rural clinics to participate in research and public health surveillance through the MN EHR Consortium.

The Consortium leverages electronic health record (EHR) data to answer critical questions about access, outcomes, and equity across Minnesota. Through MNCM, rural providers can participate in studies that inform not only policy but also local programming. These projects don’t require extra work—just permission to use the data already being shared.

One standout example of the work underway through the MN EHR Consortium is the development and use of the Health Trends Across Communities Dashboards. These dashboards provide timely, localized data that are being used by public health departments, community coalitions, and other partners to inform strategies and initiatives that address pressing health issues at the community level. From tracking preventive care gaps to monitoring chronic disease trends, these tools help identify where interventions are needed most. The impact of these dashboards depends on the completeness and accuracy of the data they present, making participation from rural health care providers essential. Ensuring rural populations are represented in this work helps create a more accurate picture of health across Minnesota—and enables targeted action to improve outcomes for everyone, no matter where they live.

Including Rural Voices in Governance and Strategy

Rural health care providers aren’t just participants in MNCM programs—they help guide them. We are intentional about ensuring rural perspectives are reflected in our governance structure.

Rural leaders currently serve on:

• The MNCM Board of Directors, which sets the strategic direction for our organization.
  Rural representatives include: Jen Lamprecht (Sanford Health), Dr. Tim Miller (South Country Health Alliance), Dr. Sean Wherry (CentraCare)
• The Measurement and Reporting Committee (MARC), which reviews and recommends measure specifications, public reporting approaches, and technical guidance. Rural representatives include: Jen Lamprecht (Sanford Health), Dr. Tim Miller (South Country Health Alliance), Angela Olson (Fairview Range Medical Center Hibbing), Dr. Laura Pelaez (Olmsted Medical Center), Denise Schneekloth (MN Rural Health Cooperative), Dr. Sean Wherry (CentraCare)
• The Common Health Information Reporting Partnership (CHIRP) Governance Committee, which provides input on priorities and policies that shape the CHIRP initiative. Rural representatives include: Shari Black (Mayo Clinic), Jill Coleman (Essentia Health), Matt Hoenck (South Country Health Alliance), Bethany Krafthefer (PrimeWest Health), Hannah Wieshalla (CentraCare)
• The Strategic Community Outreach for Reporting and Engagement (SCORE!) Committee, which provides strategic direction, oversight, and support for MNCM’s engagement initiatives and events.  Rural representatives include: Kristina Muelebrock (Fairview Health), Kelly Tauber (CentraCare)

We are deeply grateful to these individuals for sharing their experience and insight to ensure rural perspectives are front and center in MNCM’s work.

We are always working to build our leadership pipeline, so if you are from a rural area and would like to become more involved, please reach out to support@mncm.org.

Looking Ahead: Driving Policy, Investment, and Innovation

Rural clinics are a cornerstone of Minnesota’s health care system. MNCM is committed to making sure that the value they bring is reflected in the decisions that shape the future of care in our state.

We believe that data is a tool for empowerment, and when rural providers have access to the right insights, at the right time, they can lead the way in delivering high-quality, equitable care.

Thank you to everyone who attended our session in Alexandria. We look forward to continuing the conversation—and the collaboration!

 

Get Involved 

1. Learn more about CHIRP
2. Learn more about the EHR Consortium
3. Learn more about the Health Trends Across Communities Dashboards
4. Interested in participating in CHIRP or the MN EHR Consortium? Contact us at support@mncm.org