On March 19th, HHS published a notice in the Federal Register that HHS intends to complete approximately 2500 surveys to assess public perception of Health Information Exchanges.[i] Public perception of the security of HIE’s is key to understanding how ONC will eventually regulate HIEs. On a macro level the National Health Information Network (NHIN) is a network of HIEs. At this time most states have received grants to implement an HIE. Recently, however, HHS has also announced a scaled down version of the Connect software to be used for limited transaction between providers. Generally, NHIN Connect software framework is designed to enable secure and interoperable electronic health information exchanges (HIE) with NHIN compliant organizations, including federal agencies, local-level health organizations, and healthcare participants in the private sector. However, the NHIN Direct initiative announced in January, 2010 may replace some HIEs that do not bring value added services to the market [...]
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By Robert Hudock, on March 25th, 2010
 Print This PostMarch 25th, 2010 | Tags: authorization, Connect Framework, consumer consent, DURSAm data sharing agreement, HIE, medical records, NHIN, NHIN Direct | Category: CCHIT, EMR, Federal Agencies, HIPAA Privacy, HIPAA Security, Health Information Exchange, Health Information Technology, Health and Humans Services (HHS), Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology |
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Print This PostBy Robert Hudock, on December 10th, 2009
Print This PostOn December 1st, 2009 the Office of the Secretary of the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology announced the creation of a new Chief Privacy Office and the Office of Economic Modeling and Analysis (among three others including the Office of Chief Scientist, Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy, and Deputy National Coordinator for Operations). The New Chief Privacy Officer is a necessary creation under the ARRA (and the HITECH Act). This role is different from the other positions that seem to be a re-organization of roles and responsibilities that already existed to some extent just with more specificity around functions and duties. Aside from the Chief Privacy Officer the New Economic Modeling and Analysis Position seems like a timely creation given recent articles discussing whether Health Information Technology and more specifically Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs) actually reduce the cost of care and/or increase the quality of care. Also of note, the new Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs and Policy will be responsible for the open source Connect initiative and the National Health Information [...] December 10th, 2009 | Tags: ARB, ARC, ARD, ARF, ARRA, HITECT, Office of Economic Modeling and Analysis, Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of the Chief Scientist, Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy, ONC | Category: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, HIPAA Privacy, HIPAA Security, HITECH Act, Health Information Technology, Health and Humans Services (HHS), Interoperability, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology |
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Print This PostBy Robert Hudock, on August 24th, 2009
Print This PostThe Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has recently release more information on two grant programs. The HITECH Act authorizes two grant programs: (1) a Health Information Technology Extension Program (Extension Program) and (2) the State Health Information Exchange Coopertive Agreement Program (Agreement Program). This program provides grants for the establishment of Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers that will offer technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices to support and accelerate health care providers’ efforts to become meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The consistent, nationwide adoption and use of secure EHRs will ultimately enhance the quality and value of health care. The State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program supports states and/or State Designated Entities (SDEs) in establishing health information exchange (HIE) capacity among health care providers and hospitals in their [...] August 24th, 2009 | Tags: EHR, Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, HIE, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, ONC, State Designated Entities, State Health Information Exchange Cooperative | Category: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, EMR, HITECH Act, Health Information Technology, Health Reform, Health and Humans Services (HHS), Interoperability, Meaningful Use, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology |
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ONC 2nd Annoucement for HIE Grants and a Review of Program Requirements
On March 15, 2010, ONC completed the announcement of State Health Information (State HIE) Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program awardees. The first announcement of awards were on February 12th, 2010. These awards are meant as seed money for State HIE’s which are expected to reach financial independent within 2 to 4 years. The Awardees will be evaluated on various criteria over a four year period. The criteria are detailed in http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_10741_888442_0_0_18/FOA_State%20Health%20Information%20Exchange%20Cooperative%20Agreement%20Program_Sept3_updated%20funding%20formula.doc. A PDF of this same document is available here: FOA_State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program_Sept3_updated funding formula. Generally, HIEs are intended to transmit healthcare information electronically across organizations within a region, community or hospital system. HIE generally allow for the movement of clinical information among disparate health systems. Various gateways and interface utilities are used to translate data from disparate information [...]