Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has published the Medicaid Electronic Health Information Exchange System and Initial Report. The executive summary is below:
Executive Summary
Pursuant to H.B. 1218, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) submits this report regarding the Medicaid health information exchange (HIE)1 system. The bill directs HHSC to report on the status of the HIE system implementation, including utilization rates and goals for each health information technology (IT) component implemented as part of the system. H.B. 1218 also directs HHSC—in conjunction with the HIE pilot participants—to assess the benefits of securely exchanging medication history information.
In accordance with H.B. 1218, HHSC has taken a number of key steps toward implementing an HIE system for Medicaid and CHIP clients. These activities include:
- Development of a consent process to ensure the privacy and security of HIE.
- Identification of HIE pilot participants and initial planning and implementation of Medicaid medication history data exchange.
- Procurement and early development of Stage 1 of the HIE system, referred to as the Medicaid Eligibility and Health Information Services (MEHIS) project.
- Procurement of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) services for Medicaid providers.
Additionally, since the passage of H.B. 1218, the federal government signed into law the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. HITECH authorizes and appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In particular, HITECH authorizes CMS to provide incentive payments to eligible Medicaid professionals and hospitals that adopt and successfully demonstrate the meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. HHSC is working to implement a statewide HIE infrastructure, as well as the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program for Texas providers, leveraging CMS funding to continue development of the HIE system.
Medicaid Electronic Health Information Exchange System Initial Report – December 2010