1. What is the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE)?
KHIE is a robust, interoperable health information exchange network. All Kentucky hospitals and over 6600 ambulatory healthcare locations are connected through KHIE. This represents 16,000 data feeds that offer healthcare providers secure access to essential patient health information from multiple sources. The value is recognized at the point of care, when healthcare providers can quickly access a comprehensive, more holistic view of a patient’s health history. KHIE is a tool that, if utilized, could support improved health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in Kentucky, including in the Commonwealth’s rural areas.
KHIE is a secure, interoperable electronic network that supports the statewide exchange of patient health information among healthcare providers across the commonwealth. The KHIE system is HIPAA compliant and offers multiple levels of security to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. It is designed to national standards to ensure interoperability among different health records systems. Thus, Participants with certified electronic health record technology can access, locate, and share needed patient health information with other Participants.
2. What is Health Information Exchange?
The Noun: A health information exchange is the technical infrastructure or network that enables doctors, hospital staff, and other healthcare providers to electronically share patient health information so that providers are more quickly informed and have access to a patient's comprehensive health history.
The Verb: Describes the act of sharing health information.
3. What are the benefits of participating in KHIE?
KHIE provides a secure electronic infrastructure for sharing health information while striving to improve care coordination and overall health outcomes of Kentuckians — ultimately to reduce medical errors and make more efficient use of health care dollars. This facilitation of information exchange empowers healthcare providers to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care. It can influence the way healthcare is planned, coordinated, and delivered.
KHIE supports patient-centered care to improve the quality of care and health outcomes of Kentuckians — ultimately to reduce medical errors and make more efficient use of health care dollars.
KHIE fulfills public health reporting measures for Promoting Interoperability, as KHIE is the designated public health reporting authority and intermediary in the state of Kentucky.
Specific benefits of KHIE include:
- Timely electronic access to complete and accurate patient information from multiple participating providers
- Access to clinical event notifications
- Supports patient-centered care via care coordination efforts
- Supports transition of care efforts via KHIE's health information service provider
4. Does KHIE participate in the national eHealth Exchange? What are the benefits for KHIE Participants?
Yes, KHIE is a member of the national eHealth Exchange and is currently onboarding some of the Commonwealth's large healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations located outside of Kentucky in bordering states as well as federal healthcare organizations and other health information exchanges. These connections enable KHIE Participants to access health information that can be used to improve care coordination, leading to improved health outcomes for Kentucky's citizens.
4. Are providers who participate in Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCO)required to electronically exchange health information?
No. The Medicaid provider participating in an MCO is encouraged to participate in KHIE. If the Medicaid provider participates in the EHR Incentive Program, KHIE can assist with meeting the public health reporting objectives, as required per Promoting Interoperability (Meaningful Use Final Rule). KHIE is the public health reporting authority for Promoting Interoperability (meaningful use) in Kentucky.
5. Is KHIE for Medicaid providers only?
No. Any licensed provider can participate in KHIE. Our goal is to provide the technical infrastructure and support, to the fullest extent possible, for participating providers in the health information exchange. KHIE encourages all healthcare disciplines to participate and share health information to facilitate access to and retrieval of clinical data. This meets the overarching goal of the ONC's effort to provide safer, timelier, efficient, effective, and equitable patient-centered care. Access to clinical data from all disciplines helps to make critical patient information available at the point of care to improve care coordination, reduce medication and medical errors, and reduce redundant or unnecessary testing thereby reducing the cost of healthcare.
6. Can KHIE be used to exchange health information for patients who have any type of insurance?
Yes. The goal is to have full participation among all providers with all patients, regardless of payment mechanism.
7. How does KHIE support health information exchange and help providers with Promoting Interoperability and MIPS/QPP?
KHIE provides the technical infrastructure for providers throughout the commonwealth to engage in health information exchange and facilitate Promoting Interoperability (meaningful use) through CEHRT. The system is vendor- and technology-neutral with the focus on enabling optimal connectivity and interoperability.
KHIE is the Public Health Reporting Authority in Kentucky for Promoting Interoperability
As the intermediary for public health reporting for Promoting Interoperability (meaningful use) in the state of Kentucky, KHIE works with providers to report the following public health data:
Immunizations, Immunization Query, Syndromic Surveillance, Electronic Laboratory Reportables, and Cancer Cases.
KHIE Supports Clinical Data Registry reporting objectives for Promoting Interoperability
Health Information Exchange
KHIE Participants in active engagement with KHIE’s Platinum Service can utilize the Kentucky Health Information Exchange as a Clinical Data Registry.
Advance Directive Project
Available for healthcare providers who want to send an advance directive document via Direct Secure Messaging.
8. Will I be able to exchange information electronically with providers in other states?
Yes. Through connectivity with the eHealth Exchange, KHIE will support health information exchange across state lines.
9. How will this impact the way in which I report reportable diseases to the Kentucky Department for Public Health?
Participation in KHIE includes electronically submitting reportable disease information to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. As the public health reporting authority for Promoting Interoperability (meaningful use) in Kentucky, reportable disease information will be routed through KHIE to the National Electronic Diseases Surveillance System (NEDSS).
10. What kind of equipment and connectivity do I need?
KHIE's technical infrastructure is vendor- and technology-neutral and the KHIE team will work with you, your technical team, and your vendor to determine connectivity options.
11. Where can I get information to educate my staff about health information exchange?
General information, including educational materials targeted to healthcare providers, is posted on the KHIE website and is updated regularly. There are additional info sheets relating to KHIE included on this site under the Resources tab.
12. How can I get more information about KHIE?
Updates describing new services and efforts under way to support KHIE Participants are posted on a regular basis to the KHIE website. Providers are strongly encouraged to check the site frequently.
For additional information, KHIE staff and Outreach Coordinators are standing by to assist you.
13. When can I start using KHIE to exchange patient health information?
The Kentucky Health Information Exchange is live! Participants live on KHIE are able to send and retrieve timely patient health information at the point of care. A map of participants who are live with KHIE is available on this website.
14. How can I sign up to participate in KHIE?
Get Started with the KHIE Outreach Coordinator in your area.
DYNAMIC AND POWERFUL
INFLUENCING THE WAY HEALTHCARE IS
PLANNED, COORDINATED, AND DELIVERED.