Commentary / Editorial
Improve Synergy Between Health Information Exchange and Electronic Health Records to Increase Rates of Continuously Insured Patients
Authors:
Rachel Gold ,
Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research; OCHIN, Inc.
Tim Burdick,
OCHIN, Inc.; Oregon Health & Science University
Heather Angier,
Oregon Health & Science University
Lorraine Wallace,
The Ohio State University
Sonja Likumahuwa-Ackman,
Oregon Health & Science University
Jennifer E. DeVoe
Oregon Health & Science University; OCHIN, Inc.
Abstract
Introduction: The Affordable Care Act increases health insurance options, yet many Americans may struggle to consistently maintain coverage. While health care providers have traditionally not been involved in providing insurance enrollment support to their patients, the ability for them to do so now exists. We propose that providers could capitalize on the expansion of electronic health records (EHRs) and the advances in health information exchanges (HIEs) to improve their patients’ insurance coverage rates and continuity.
Evidence for Argument: We describe a project in which we are building strategies for linking and thus improving synergy between payer and EHR data. Through this effort, care teams will have access to new automated tools and increased EHR functionality designed to help them assist their patients in obtaining and maintaining health insurance coverage.
Suggestion for the Future: The convergence of increasing EHR adoption, improving HIE functionality, and expansions in insurance coverage options, creates new opportunities for clinics to help their patients obtain public health insurance. Harnessing this nascent ability to exchange information between payers and providers may improve synergies between HIE and EHRs, and thus support clinic-based efforts to keep patients continuously insured.
How to Cite:
Gold R, Burdick T, Angier H, Wallace L, Nelson C, Likumahuwa-Ackman S, et al.. Improve Synergy Between Health Information Exchange and Electronic Health Records to Increase Rates of Continuously Insured Patients. eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes). 2015;3(1):15. DOI: http://doi.org/10.13063/2327-9214.1158
Published on
06 Aug 2015.
Peer Reviewed
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