The Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) has been a part of New York’s Certificate of Need (CON) process since 2023 for certain healthcare facility projects. An HEIA examines how a proposed project could affect access to care, particularly for medically underserved communities.
Here at Crescendo Consulting Group, we have acted as an efficient, fast, and effective independent agency for healthcare facilities completing Health Equity Impact Assessments in New York as part of the CON process. Our team has supported healthcare organizations that need to meet HEIA expectations as outlined in New York State Public Health Law§2802-b.
Independent. Trusted. Resourceful.
Firstly, the key to our success in completing an HEIA swiftly and efficiently lies in our genetic make-up. We are a small woman-owned business with years of experience in quickly establishing a trusting consultant-client working relationship. At larger firms, projects of this size typically get assigned to junior staff. At Crescendo, our senior staff lead or co-lead HEIAs and are heavily involved from contracting to compliance with State requests, if any, upon follow up.
Our team draws on sources such as American Community Survey (ACS) data, community surveys, and stakeholder input to support the HEIA process. We design surveys that support efficient dissemination and data collection and prepare documentation that aligns with the Certificate of Need review process.
New York’s HEIA guidance emphasizes objective analysis and meaningful community engagement, particularly with medically underserved populations. This is where an independent research partner can be helpful. Community members often feel more comfortable sharing candid feedback with someone not directly affiliated with the CON applicant. Additionally, an outside team can help ensure that engagement is well-structured and that findings are clearly documented for the CON review process.
Swift and Reliable HEIA Results
HEIAs remain relatively new in New York. Many healthcare organizations are encountering them for the first time. Crescendo’s experience conducting Health Equity Impact Assessments for Certificate of Need applications allows our team to move quickly while maintaining a thoughtful approach to community engagement and data analysis.
As a result, our experience in conducting HEIAs translates into 4-6 week contract to completion. No need to reinvent the wheel. Crescendo has templates, and techniques that can make quick and accurate work of your next HEIA.
Crescendo has supported healthcare organizations across the state in conducting Health Equity Impact Assessments for Certificate of Need applications, combining community engagement, data analysis, and documentation that reflects how projects may affect access to care.
If your organization is preparing a project that may require a Health Equity Impact Assessment, Crescendo can help. Contact us to learn more about our HEIA services.
This post was developed in collaboration with Crescendo team members with direct HEIA experience.