Title
Participation agreement for the Wichita Health Information Exchange (WHIE) and Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN).
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign.
Background: The Wichita Health Information Exchange (WHIE) and the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN) were created to facilitate health information sharing and data aggregation for treatment, payment, health care operations, public health, and research-related purposes. The WHIE/KHIN are provider-led organizations developed to facilitate the electronic transmission, storing, and sharing of health information among eligible participants through electronic health records across organizations within a region, community, or health system/hospital.
Through this system, WHIE/KHIN offer an internet-based, peer-to-peer search engine that allows multiple health care organizations to share and aggregate health data, as well as search for patient health, demographic, and related information. Users will undergo an authorization process, and will communicate via a secure private network.
COMCARE would like to begin participating in this health information exchange, so that our system and clients can benefit from this information sharing network. Many Wichita area health organizations have already joined, including Wesley Medical Center, Via Christi Health Systems, and the Sedgwick County Health Department, and COMCARE would also like to be a partner in this new exchange.
Alternatives: It is anticipated that in the next five years 80% of health care providers in Kansas will be participating in the KHIN. With this level of information sharing among organizations, the network could potentially benefit COMCARE's ability to deliver needed services to clients. COMCARE would like to take advantage of this opportunity to engage with many other health care providers to take steps forward in using available technology to improve the Kansas health system for patients.
Financial Considerations:
Cost: $5,000.00 One time implementation fee, and thereafter $3,652.00 annual fee.
Cost Center: 310069-12
Term: 01/04/12-01/03/15
Legal Considerations: The authority to enter into the Participation Agreement is granted under the Kansas Health Information Technology and Exchange Act, K.S.A. 65-6823, et.seq. (See, 2011 Session Laws of Kansas, Chp. 114, Sec. 21-35, effective July 1, 2011). The agreement complies with HIPPA, HITECH, and E-PHI of 45 CFR. Approval is by simple majority vote.
Policy Considerations: All Sedgwick County policies have been followed in the development of this agreement.