CONNECT Referral System
Connecting Service Providers Throughout Montana
CONNECT is a bidirectional referral network that allows client contact information to be sent between service providers. The secure web-based system is available at no cost to approved organizations that make client referrals.
Effective healthcare extends beyond the clinic walls.
By bridging the gap between clinical and community-based organizations, we’ve built a secure, bidirectional network that ensures Montanans never fall through the cracks. Our platform serves a dual purpose: it is a high-performance referral system with a 90% connection-to-care rate, and a statewide resource directory.
Efficiency is at the core of our system.
Sending a secure referral takes only a couple of minutes, eliminating the traditional delays of paperwork and follow-up calls. When you list your services with us, you aren't just joining a database, you are becoming part of a coordinated care loop that has successfully navigated nearly 5,000 referrals. Together, we are closing the loop on care coordination and improving health outcomes across Montana.
Why is care coordination important?
"Closing the loop" is a term that describes a well-functioning coordinated care delivery system. It implies that information flows easily during a referral – the referring service provider is able to let the recipient provider know the pertinent information about the client being referred, and the recipient can let the referring provider know the opinions and recommendations that result from the referral. It's a two-way "loop."
Operational Benefits
- Free to Use: Available at no cost to approved organizations.
- Rapid Process: Referrals can be completed in just a few minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods like faxing or calling.
- User-Friendly: Features a simple interface that is easy to navigate for diverse service providers.
- Tracking & Accountability: Providers can track referral status in real-time, see progress notes, and confirm if a client has started services.
Compliance & Security
The system is built to meet strict federal and state privacy requirements for healthcare, education, and social services:
- HIPAA: Protections for personal health information in clinical settings.
- FERPA: Safeguards for educational records and student privacy.
- 42 CFR Part 2: Strict confidentiality for substance use disorder patient records.
- IDEA: Compliance with federal mandates regarding services for individuals with disabilities.
Impact on Care Quality
- Efficient Referral Process: Closes the communication loop between sending and receiving agencies, ensuring pertinent information isn't lost.
- Reduce Duplication & Waste: Minimizes repetitive services and unnecessary referrals by providing a transparent history of care.
- Improved Outcomes: High connection-to-care rates (up to 90%) lead to better patient health and reduced lapses in treatment.
FAQs
- How much time does it take to send a referral using CONNECT?
From start to finish, the entire process takes no more than a couple short minutes. The steps are simple, and the system is easy to navigate, so the more you use CONNECT, the faster the entire process becomes. - Who can see which referrals have been sent and received?
To protect the privacy of our subjects in the system, only the sending and receiving agency can view the referrals that have been made between them. - What if the recipient provider doesn't pick up the referral right away?
The system tracks referrals from the moment they're sent, providing real-time updates for the sending provider to monitor along the way. The system sends an auto-generated email to the agency's gatekeeper when an incoming referral arrives, alerting that person or persons that they should log in and work with the referral. In the unlikely event that a referral is not acted upon in a timely manner, the recommended action is to reach out to the person via phone or email to see what might be causing the delay. - What technical safeguards are put into place by Noble Software Group to ensure the protection of the data within CONNECT?
You can view the statement from Noble here: Technical Safeguards - Does Noble Software Group have a plan for what to do in the event of a security or service disruption?
Absolutely. You can view the statement from Noble here:
Noble Policy – Security and Service Disruption Events
Joe Tabler, a clinical pharmacist at Logan Health in Kalispell Montana, and Alison Fuller, a CONNECT specialist from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services share their experience using CONNECT, a bidirectional referral system that connects patients with community-based organizations and services to address health-related social needs while improving health outcomes and equity for patients at Logan Health. Recorded by Mountain Pacific on January 2, 2025, as part of the Regional Chronic Disease Collaborative.
Partner Spotlight: Logan Health - CONNECT Bidirectional Referral System
Interested in joining CONNECT?
Simply contact our DPHHS CONNECT team – we will answer your questions, walk you through the brief on-boarding process and provide training and ongoing technical support to your agency’s users.
Click on the schedule online link below to set up a demo of the system and to learn more.
Schedule online
For technical assistance or to learn more send an email or schedule a virtual call through the link provided below.
Alison Fuller, Program Manager
Email: Alison.fuller@mt.gov
PO Box 202951 | 1400 Broadway | Helena MT 59620-2951