Minnesota e-Health Updates
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The e-Health updates are intended to provide health related professionals with a Minnesota perspective on the e-health related news and highlight some current events.
The 2024 MN HIMSS and Minnesota e-Health Initiative Virtual Series Returns this Fall
Register today for the annual MN HIMSS and Minnesota e-Health Initiative Virtual conference series.
This September, join us as national and local industry leaders share insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping reshape evolving e-health needs. This year’s sessions will explore the intersection of AI and health equity, workforce, cybersecurity, and the patient experience.
Registration is free. Participants can attend any or all sessions which are from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT.
Session 1 - AI and Health Equity, Thursday, September 12, Presenter: Maia Hightower, MD, MPH, MBA, CEO, Equality AI
Session 2 - AI and Workforce, Thursday, September 19, Presenter: Brian Norris, MBA, RN, FHIMSS, Vice President & Managing Director, MedeAnalytics
Session 3 - AI and Cybersecurity, Thursday, September 26, Presenter:
Barbara Wickoren, Offensive Security Advisor, White Oak Security
Session 4 - AI and Patient Experience, Thursday, October 1, Presenters: Edward Marx, MS, CEO, Marx Advisory and Cris Ross, MBA, CIO, Mayo Clinic
Visit the webpage for updates and presenter bios.
Minnesota News
Reminder of Public Meeting on June 7
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public meeting to review the CyncHealth application for a certificate of authority to operate as a Health Information Organization (HIO) in Minnesota. The meeting will be hosted by MDH’s Center for Health Information Policy and Transformation.
Date: Friday, June 7
Time 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
To attend virtually: Click here to join CyncHealth public meeting
To join by phone: 651-395-7448 (Access code: 448 645 9#)
Meeting details: Available in the “Current HIO Applications Under Review” section of the Minnesota HIO Applicants & Application Process webpage.
Application materials and a public comment form will be available from May 23 – June 11 on the Minnesota HIO Applicants & Application Process webpage.
National News
Participate in WEDI Survey on Recommended Updates
The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is conducting a survey on recommended updates to X12 health care administrative transactions. The survey is to identify the potential impact on industry stakeholders of these new transaction versions. Responses due July 15.
WEDI is a multi-stakeholder, non-profit organization named in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as an advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It fosters effective uses of health IT and information exchange to improve health care and outcomes. Contact Ariana Poole at apoole@wedi.org with questions.
Did You Know?
WEDI Response to ONC 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published a draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan for public comment. The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) reviewed the draft plan and submitted a response providing comments and recommendations. WEDI congratulates the ONC on its anniversary and accomplishments over the past 20 years.
Minnesota News
Open Positions on the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is currently accepting membership applications for two seats on the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee:
- Expert in Clinical Guideline Development
- Small/Community Access Hospital
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply through the Board/Commission: Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee webpage. Please share this opportunity with any colleagues who may be interested.
Applicants should submit a resume and other supporting materials. A statement outlining why you want to serve on this committee and how you can support its efforts is recommended.
The Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee
Established in 2004 by Minnesota Statute, the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee brings together perspectives from across Minnesota’s health care landscape to develop recommendations and advise the Commissioner of Health on policies and processes to advance the use of health information technology, data use, data exchange, and related technologies. The committee works to achieve the Minnesota e-Health Vision that all communities and individuals benefit from and are empowered by information and technology that advances health equity and supports health and well-being.
The committee’s past work has helped shape legislation and enabled collaboration to achieve common goals.
Members are expected to bring their expertise and lived experiences to support this effort. More information can be found on the Minnesota eHealth Initiative webpage and in the most recent Minnesota e-Health Initiative report to the legislature.
Virtual (and/or hybrid) meetings are expected to begin in summer 2024. Questions about the committee or application process may be directed to mn.ehealth@state.mn.us.
Notice of Public Meeting on June 7
MDH will hold a public meeting to review the CyncHealth application for a certificate of authority to operate as a Health Information Organization (HIO) in Minnesota. The meeting will be hosted by MDH’s Center for Health Information Policy and Transformation.
Date: Friday, June 7
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Meeting details: Available in the “Current HIO Applications Under Review” section of the Minnesota HIO Applicants & Application Process webpage.
Application materials and a public comment form will be available from May 23 – June 11 on the Minnesota HIO Applicants & Application Process webpage.
National News
Submit Comments on Draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
There is still time to submit comments on the draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. The draft plan was published by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Goals and objectives include:
- Improving access to electronic health information
- Delivering a better, more equitable health care experience
- Modernizing the nation’s public health infrastructure.
The public comment period closes on May 28 (healthit.gov).
Did You Know?
2023 HITECH Report to Congress Now Available
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently released the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) 2023 report to Congress. The report describes actions to address issues related to health information technology and the access, exchange and use of electronic health information. The report also highlights updates and milestones, including the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) on the implementation progress of the 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (healthit.gov).
Minnesota
MDH Showcases Innovation Project
Sarah Solarz and Ann Kayser of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control (IDEPT) Division and the Minnesota Electronic Disease Surveillance System (MEDSS) team, recently showcased their innovation project, Infectious Disease Health Pathway, at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Solarz and Kayser were selected to represent Minnesota as partners with CDC, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and Oracle to demo this innovation at the conference.
The demo showcased the potential for electronic case reporting (eCR) to share data about occupation transmission using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard. This standard is beginning to be adopted by public health agencies across the country. By optimizing interoperability features of a system, information is more efficiently shared and results in better tracking and outcomes.
eCR is the automated, real-time exchange of case report information between electronic health records (EHRs) and public health agencies. eCR aims to eliminate the burden of manual reporting for healthcare providers. FHIR allows for more efficient exchange of information between different computer systems.
The HIMSS conference is held annually to discuss the latest topics in health care and technology.
2024 Update to Maximum Charges for Patient Records
In some cases, patients or their representatives may be charged for copies of the patient's health record. The amount of any fee varies based on the individual situation. A state law, Minnesota Statutes, section 144.292, Subd. 6, sets a maximum that can be charged for patients records. The maximum is updated annually using a formula in the law. A description of the law and the maximum charges for 2024 when the law applies is now available in the updated Maximum Charges for Patient Records (PDF) document.
National
HITAC Releases Annual Report
The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) has submitted the HITAC Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and Congress. The report shares HITAC’s progress during fiscal year 2023. The annual report also describes the health care industry’s progress in advancing health information technology infrastructure in several target areas. These areas include design and use of technologies that advance health equity, use of technologies that support public health, interoperability, privacy and security, and patient access to information. Find additional information on the HITAC website.
Did You Know?
MDH Adopts Revised 270-271 MUCG as Final Rule
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published a notice in the March 4 Minnesota Minnesota State Register (Vol. 48, No. 36) announcing that the revised Minnesota Uniform Companion Guide (MUCG) has been adopted into rule:
The rule was developed in consultation with the Minnesota Administrative Uniformity Committee (AUC) in compliance with Minnesota Statutes section 62J.536. The statute requires health care providers, group purchasers (payers) and health care clearinghouses to exchange certain health care business transactions electronically in compliance with the revised and adopted MUCG. It became effective April 4.
Minnesota
MDH Adopts Revised 837P and 837I Minnesota Uniform Companion Guides (MUCG) as Final Rules
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published a notice in the December 11, 2023 (Volume 48, Number 24) edition of the Minnesota State Register announcing the following revised Minnesota Uniform Companion Guides (MUCG) have been adopted into rule:
- MUCG for the Implementation of the ASC X12/005010X222A1 Health Care Claim: Professional (837), version 18.0 (PDF)
- MUCG for the Implementation of the ASC X12/005010X223A2 Health Care Claim: Institutional (837), version 18.0 (PDF)
The rules become effective January 10, 2024 and were developed in consultation with the Minnesota Administrative Uniformity Committee (AUC). More information regarding the rules is available in the December 11, 2023 Minnesota State Register (Vol. 48, No. 24) notice.
Minnesota
Help Move Minnesota Forward: Apply for e-Health Advisory Committee Membership
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is currently accepting membership applications for the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee (AC). Health and health care is being transformed by health information technology, data use and exchange, and policy to improve health care efficiency and health outcomes. Established in 2004, under Minnesota Statute, the 25-member AC committee is responsible for developing recommendations and advising the Commissioner of Health on policies and processes to advance the use of health information technology, data use, data exchange, and related technologies.
We are seeking members who represent perspectives from across Minnesota’s health care landscape, including providers, hospitals, health insurers and health plans, long-term care, public health, academic and research institutions, vendors, consumers, state agencies, and others. A list of specific positions, along with the application, is available on the Board/Commission: Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee webpage under the "Details" section.
The committee will work to achieve the Minnesota e-Health Vision, where all communities and individuals benefit from and are empowered by information and technology that advances health equity and supports health and wellbeing. Past work has shaped legislation and enabled collaboration toward common goals. Members will be expected to bring their expertise and lived experiences to support this effort. More information can be found on the Minnesota e-Health Initiative webpage and in the most recent Minnesota e-Health Initiative report to the legislature (PDF).
Virtual (and/or hybrid) meetings are expected to begin in February 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for membership through the Board/Commission: Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee webpage by December 31. However, the application portal will remain open until all seats are filled. Please share this opportunity with any colleagues who may be interested.
Applicants should submit a resume. While other materials are optional, we suggest including a statement of why you want to serve on this committee and how you can support the efforts. Questions about the committee or application process may be directed to mn.ehealth@state.mn.us.