The HEI is an annual online survey. Created in 2007, the HEI has been designed to meet the needs of all healthcare organizations seeking to provide optimal care to LGBTQ patients and to meet CMS and Joint Commission requirements related to this underserved population.

The HEI scoring criteria rates hospitals and healthcare facilities on policies and best practices in LGBTQ patient centered care in four key areas: Non-discrimination and staff training; Patient services and support; Employee benefits and policies; and Patient and community engagement.

The HEI is open to all healthcare organizations in the U.S. with 100 or more employees, whether inpatient or outpatient, network or individual facility. Inpatient facilities are particularly encouraged to participate, and constitute the majority of participants.

Clinic organizations with multiple locations such as FQHCs (and FQHC look-alikes), Planned Parenthood Affiliates and other similarly structured organizations are eligible to participate - however, they have special guidelines related to meeting the training criteria.

LGBTQ patients face very significant challenges in healthcare: 56% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people report experiences of serious discrimination in healthcare, while 70% of transgender people report serious discrimination. In response, CMS and The Joint Commission have issued requirements for LGBTQ equity and inclusion, and expert recommendations have now emerged for LGBTQ patient-centered care.

The HEI enables healthcare organizations to assess their own policies and practices vis-à-vis these requirements and recommendations, and equips them with the training and resources they need to remedy gaps. It also enables organizations to receive public recognition for their commitment to equity and inclusion.

Hundreds of healthcare organizations nationwide have participated in the HEI to:

• Increase patient safety and satisfaction
• Comply with CMS and Joint Commission requirements
• Minimize risk and maximize quality
• Enhance their reputation for equity and inclusion

And HEI participants enjoy these unique benefits:

• Access to free, expert online training for staff at all levels
• Customized analysis of potential gaps, with resources for addressing them
• Public recognition for their commitment to equity and inclusion
• Tools for outreach to LGBTQ community members

As an online survey, participation in the HEI requires a login. If your organization does not already have a login, you can register to receive one and view the HEI survey with no obligation. The HEI can be completed by any number of people within an organization, as--the HEI login can be shared,—but each organization is asked to designate an “official submitter” to review and submit the HEI.

Organizations answer a series of questions about LGBTQ policies and best practices and are required to upload supporting documentation to validate many of their responses. Participating organizations will receive a summary of their score after the HEI staff has reviewed their submission and will have an opportunity to provide additional information or supporting documentation to address any deficiencies.

The HEI, including the extensive training offered to participating organizations, is offered free of charge, as an educational program of the HRC Foundation.

The HEI 2020 survey session will open in October 2019 with a survey deadline of late January 2020. The HEI 2020 report will be released in March of 2020.

All organizations participating in the HEI may register staff for acclaimed, expert online training—in fact, training is required to be awarded HEI Leader status. Complete details are available within the HEI.

Survey participants that meet the new HEI Scoring Criteria are designated as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality. The Leader designation signals to LGBTQ patients and allies that the healthcare facility has meet the foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care. Prior to the release of the HEI report, Leaders receive the coveted HEI Leader logo for their use, as well as extensive resources for publicizing their achievement and conducting outreach to LGBTQ community members.

HEI staff will notify all survey participants whether or not they have received Leader status once the review of that facility’s survey is complete.

Yes. The HEI is revised annually to incorporate new issues and resources related to LGBTQ patient-centered care, and Leader status is determined each year by an organization’s responses to the HEI in that year.