Interoperability

Interoperability

Also referred to as health information exchange (HIE), has become front and center with the new 21st Century Cures Act and CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule. Both of which expand interoperability requirements between different healthcare stakeholders, including payors, providers, HIE’s and health information technology developers, to improve coordination of care and ensuring patients are at the center of our healthcare system.

According to section 4003 of the 21st Century Cures Act, the term 'interoperability,' with respect to health information technology, means such health information technology that:

“(A) enables the secure exchange of electronic health information with, and use of electronic health information from, other health information technology without special effort on the part of the user; “(B) allows for complete access, exchange, and use of all electronically accessible health information for authorized use under applicable State or Federal law; and “(C) does not constitute information blocking as defined in section 3022(a).”
— https://www.healthit.gov/topic/interoperability

Sharing patient clinical information is not new. Before health information networks, health care providers and health plans exchanged information directly by hand, fax, telephone or e-mail. These methods are more expensive, time consuming and not secure. In other words, communication was at the center, not the patient.

Most health care providers are now using electronic health records (EHR). However, when a patient goes from one provider to another (i.e. Primary Care Physician referral to a Specialist), these EHRs are not the same. Health information networks allows these providers to share information, essentially allowing their EHRs to “talk to one another.” Communication is much more efficient this way so your physician can put the patient the center.
Health care providers can submit a single request through a health information network, such as the Tiger Institute Health Alliance, to obtain electronic records from other members. The provider must have sufficient personal information about a patient to prove they have a treatment relationship before the network will allow access to patient information.


The Tiger Institute Health Alliance can help its members achieve their interoperability goals and assist with navigating the evolving regulatory landscape. For more information about participation in the Tiger Institute Health Alliance, contact us. 

 

This brief video provides an overview of the interoperability challenges facing the healthcare industry.

Info Sharing without HIE.jpg
Info Sharing with HIE.jpg

Valuable Interoperability Resources:

Press:

Podcasts/Presentations: