On October 23, the California Health and Human Services agency (CalHHS) Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) announced the list of health information organizations that have been named designated Qualified Health Information Organizations (QHIOs). This announcement means that these QHIOs are now positioned to act as an exchange intermediary, enabling healthcare organizations to fulfill their Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) requirements and comply with the Data Exchange Framework (DxF).
A QHIO is a health information organization that has demonstrated its ability to meet DxF requirements and have a profound influence on promoting interoperability, data standards, and the secure exchange of patient information. According to CDII, the designation was only given to organizations that demonstrate service completeness, technical and programmatic capabilities, and appropriate organizational structure.
LANES has exceeded all QHIO requirements through:
- Investments in infrastructure. In 2023, LANES deployed the Google Cloud Healthcare API to make healthcare data more accessible and actionable. The investment ensures participants have access to high quality patient data and optimal processing speed.
- Excellence in interoperability and data standards. LANES enables easy integration with other healthcare systems and devices in compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) interoperability rule to exchange data using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) standards.
- Adhering to the highest safety and privacy requirements. LANES adheres to robust security measures, including FHIR and HIPAA compliance, encryption of data in transit and at rest, and identity and access management features. LANES is HITRUST certified.
- Enabling responsible governance. LANES is enhanced by our team of committed, community-focused health data experts, including multiple advisory boards. LANES CEO, Ali Modaressi, is also part of the Data Exchange Framework Stakeholder Advisory Group, demonstrating a deep understanding of standards and best practices.
- Being the final mile data partner. As a regional QHIO, LANES is able to more accurately consolidate patient information across the continuum of care within its participant network.
By working in collaboration with LANES, healthcare organizations can trust that they will be able to harness the full potential of data in revolutionizing healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
To help DSA signatories meet their data sharing requirements and subsidize their implementation efforts, CalHHS launched a $47 million grant program. The third round is now open with an application deadline of December 15, 2023.
The DxF is key to achieving California’s plans for transforming healthcare, expanding coverage, and improving connections between healthcare and social services. The DxF, which aligns healthcare entities, government agencies, and social service programs, will take effect January 2024.
