State Funds Health Information Exchange Reminder

From NCDHHS NC Medicaid, August 8, 2023:

All providers who have not yet connected are encouraged to sign a Participation Agreement and participate in the onboarding process.

As North Carolina moves into data-driven, value-based health care, the N.C. Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA) is working to modernize the state-designated health information exchange, NC HealthConnex. North Carolina General Statutes 90-414.1 - 90-414.12 created a mandate for providers who receive state funds for providing health care services to connect to NC HealthConnex by Jan. 1, 2023.  

All providers who have not yet connected are encouraged to do so at this time. Signing a Participation Agreement and participating in the onboarding process is considered to be demonstrating a good-faith effort to meet the mandate. 

NC HealthConnex is a tool to link disparate electronic medical/health record (EMR/EHR) systems and existing HIE networks together to deliver a holistic view of patient records through a secure, standardized electronic system. Providers with a Full Participation Agreement can access a patient’s comprehensive records across multiple providers, as well as review labs, diagnostics, history, allergies, medications and more.  

This results in less duplicative testing, more efficient and accurate diagnoses, recommendations and treatment, and improved coordination across all levels of care. NC HealthConnex and NC*Notify, the event notification service, also helps providers meet Promoting Interoperability requirements.

Participating providers with an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)-certified EHR product or those that can send HL7 version 2.0 and higher can support the connection to NC HealthConnex, enabling them to access, locate and share needed patient health information with other providers at the point of care.

Visit the NC HIEA What Does the Law Mandate page for more information about specific provider requirements for connection. 

hiea@nc.gov