In this session, we will discuss the 21st Century CURES act (CURES act) specifically focused on how it defined interoperability and information blocking and how that relates to health centers. With HHS recently extending the provider compliance date to April 5, 2021, the group will review how ONC’s final rules defined information blocking requirements and exceptions. The group will discuss common scenarios and health center policy practices that might be considered information blocking, and how they can reduce health center risks with early planning and policy definitions.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand how the CURES act defines Interoperability and Information Blocking
- Describe how the ONC final rules define reasonable exceptions to information blocking
- Review and update health center policies in key areas related to information blocking

In this session, we introduce major interoperability initiatives and efforts, including the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI), Commonwell Alliance, and Carequality that have already begun to lower the barriers to health centers achieving interoperability with other provider organizations. Discussions focus on common usages scenarios for health centers, particularly related to current issues such as COVID-19.

Learning Objectives: After viewing this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the role of USCDI in the CMS Promoting Interoperability program and beyond.
- Describe how Carequality could help them engage providers in their local community.
- Identify Commonwell Alliance participants they could connect to within their region.

In this session, we will show examples of how health centers are leveraging administrative, financial, and other non-clinical data to improve operations. Examples include claims processing through HIE, and the use of ADT (Admission-Discharge-Transfer) notifications to enhance care coordination and patient care follow-up.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify the variety of non-clinical data that could be exchanged through HIE.
- Understand how non-clinical data such as ADT messages could be used to enhance clinical processes.
- Learn how to incorporate ADT notifications to improve patient follow-up and care coordination.

In this session, we explore a specific, relevant interoperability use case of immunization registries and disease registries, such as reportable diseases, or COVID immunization registries. The group views case studies of how health centers incorporated registries into their clinical workflow, and enhanced patient care.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the role of immunization and disease registries in clinical care, and potential legal requirements for participation.
- Understand the potential integration options for registries with the health center’s local EHR
- Learn how to engage clinicians in the use of registries

Speakers:

Kislaya Kunjan, PhD

Health IT Director, Indiana Primary Health Care Association

Noam H. Artz, PhD, FHIMSS, FAMIA

HLN Consulting

In this final session, participants hear from leading interoperability experts and envision the goals and future of interoperability. Specific examples related to the health centers such as the All of Us effort are highlighted with health center participants sharing their experiences, expectations, and promises.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the promise and direction of interoperability efforts.
- Describe the impact of major national efforts such as All of Us data initiative.
- Identify one or more ways their health center could participate and enhance their data sharing.