Getting Started with Health Information Exchange

Now that you have a foundational understanding of health information exchange, it’s time to start determining the best solution for your practice.

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How to Participate

Most organizations will participate in health information exchange through one or more of the following ways: 

  • Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA):

    TEFCA promotes nationwide health information exchange by creating a network of large health information exchanges, known as Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs). Each QHIN has many Participants and Subparticipants, allowing organizations across the country to connect to each other through a centralized network. You can directly join an approved QHIN, or one of its participants, to share data with other providers across the country. 

    TEFCA

  • National, State, and Regional HIEs/HINs:

    There are more than 100 national, state, and regional health information exchanges (HIEs)/ health information networks (HINs) in the U.S. Each provide different opportunities to share date electronically, and some are already participating in TEFCA. To learn more about your national, state, and regional HIE options, the Civitas Networks for Health website is a good resource.

    Abstract Data

  • Health IT Providers (Including EHR Vendors):

    Many health IT providers include health information exchange capabilities, and many of the electronic health record (EHR) vendors have their own data exchange networks. Ask your provider about what your options are, including which health information exchanges you can participate in and whether or not they can help you connect to TEFCA.

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Talk with the HIEs/HINs in Your Region

Each HIE/HIN provider differs in its maturity within the health information exchange market as well as the services it offers to interested providers. When talking with a HIE/HIN, keep in mind the mission and goals of your practice to determine which option is best for you. You should leave the conversation with a solid understanding of the following:

  • Economics and sustainability of the HIE/HIN
  • Internal requirements of participating in the HIE/HIN
  • Technology behind the HIE/HIN and which forms of health information exchange it supports
  • Non-economic benefits of the HIE/HIN  (indirect return on investment)
  • Risks and liabilities involved with joining the HIE/HIN

Talk with Your Health IT Vendor

Some vendors have incorporated the functionality of electronic health information exchange into their electronic health record (EHR). Reach out to your vendor to see if this capability is offered within their product. Below are sample questions to ask:

  • What form(s) of exchange does your EHR support?
  • What privacy and security features does your product currently provide and support?
  • What are the costs associated with upgrading to include HIE within our practice’s EHR?
  • What are the maintenance and monthly costs of including HIE within our practice’s EHR?
  • If you do not currently have HIE functionality, do you plan to integrate HIE into your EHR at some point?
  • If so, what is the timeframe for when HIE will be available?
  • Does your EHR currently connect to TEFCA, and if not, does it have plans for doing so?