Health Information Technology and Exchange

The health care industry has been relatively slow to digitize. Experts believe expanding the exchange of electronic health records could dramatically improve health care quality and cost savings by helping eliminate duplicated or unneeded services. With billions of dollars in new federal incentives soon available, the adoption of electronic medical records is expected to surge. KHI researchers help define the appropriate uses of private and secure data to improve health and KHI News Service journalists chronicle various HIE and HIT initiatives.

Photo by Phil Cauthon

HIE in Kansas tentatively slated for July

0 | HIE-HIT

Kansas could have a digital health information exchange in place by July, if a tentative timeline discussed by officials today is met.

Policy and Research

Kansas e-Health Advisory Council

0 | Dec. 09, 2009 | HIE-HIT

The Kansas Health Institute is a member of the Kansas e-Health Advisory Council, a project of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that is working to develop strategic plans to build a statewide infrastructure that will facilitate the exchange of health information.

HIE/HIT in Kansas

1 | Mar. 16, 2009 | HIE-HIT

This slide presentation to the e-Health Advisory Committee reviews the progress of implementing HIT/HIE in Kansas.

HISPC, Phase III: Kansas State Report

0 | Mar. 16, 2009 | HIE-HIT

The potential transformation of health care in terms of quality and cost through the use of health information technology (HIT) and health information exchange (HIE) has been, and continues to be, a high priority at both the federal and state level.

Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration

0 | Mar. 01, 2009 | HIE-HIT

The Kansas Health Institute has been a part of this project to remove barriers to establishing effective health information exchanges.

Kansas HIE Exchange Commission Final Report

0 | Aug. 31, 2007 | HIE-HIT

This report summarizes the findings of the Kansas Health Information Exchange Commission regarding the ability to facilitate a statewide exchange of health information.

More in HIE-HIT Research

News

Kansas HIT incentives total $18.3 million

0 | Apr. 24, 2012 | HIE-HIT

A total of $18.3 million has been awarded to 279 Kansas doctors and 25 hospitals for implementing electronic health record systems, officials at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Monday.

Networks granted temporary licenses to exchange patient data

0 | Apr. 11, 2012 | HIE-HIT

The Kansas Health Information Exchange Inc. board gave one-year operating licenses to the Kansas-based network KHIN and the Missouri-based network LACIE, allowing the transfer of digital health records among care providers.

KHIE committee changes course on funding scheme

0 | Mar. 26, 2012 | HIE-HIT

Kansas Health Information Exchange operations should be funded largely by fees assessed on the networks it licenses instead of charging individual medical providers, KHIE officials have concluded.

Kansas hospitals to receive $10.4 million in HIT incentives

0 | Mar. 21, 2012 | KDHE, HIE-HIT, Hospitals

Twenty-three Kansas hospitals will receive a total of $10.4 million in federal incentives for implementing electronic health records systems, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced.

Federal funding for Kansas REC extended

0 | Mar. 15, 2012 | HIE-HIT

The regional extension center created two years ago to help Kansas health care providers implement electronic health records has received extended funding from the federal government. But for now, the center won't be able to sign up additional providers to receive subsidized assistance.

New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works

0 | May. 14, 2012 | Health Reform, Insurance

A Wichita group is working to develop a member-owned co-op that would provide thousands of Kansans with health insurance. And they want the coverage to be different from plans offered by traditional carriers.

Two more plead guilty to Medicaid fraud in Labette County

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Courts, Medicaid-CHIP

Two more people pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud and were ordered to repay nearly $13,000, the Kansas Attorney General's Office announced today.

CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment

1 | May. 11, 2012 | Government, KDoA, Congress, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, KanCare

The proposal's appearance on the CMS website marks the start of a 30-day public comment period.

The Great Health Reform Debate: Some Kansas experts weigh in

0 | May. 10, 2012 | Health Reform

To help Kansans better understand the law, the problems it was intended to address and the issues that prompted Kansas and 25 other states to challenge it in court, the Kansas Health Institute recently talked to several experts. Excerpts from those conversations are featured in this collection of short videos.

Grant funds remain for nonprofits seeking ACA programs

0 | May. 01, 2012 | Foundations, Health Reform

Approximately $115,550 remains in the Affordable Care Act Opportunity Fund, a $450,000 grant pool created last year by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Kansas Health Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Sunflower Foundation and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

Legislature ends Day 95 without budget accord

0 | May. 16, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

The big stare-down between the Kansas House and Senate continued through the session's 95th day. Budget negotiators tentatively settled most of a long list of differences but couldn't find agreement on public school spending. House bargainers said they couldn't settle on a compromise until parallel negotiations over tax cuts were settled.

CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment

1 | May. 11, 2012 | Government, KDoA, Congress, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, KanCare

The proposal's appearance on the CMS website marks the start of a 30-day public comment period.

Public comment on KanCare plan expected to begin this week

1 | May. 09, 2012 | KanCare, Medicaid-CHIP

After the state's KanCare Medicaid waiver application is posted on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, the public will have 30 days to comment.

Conference committee agrees on newborn screening bill

2 | May. 01, 2012 | Early Childhood, Prevention

House and Senate negotiators have agreed to a bill that would create a fund to pay for the state’s newborn screening program.

Confirmation of SRS chief draws opposition

3 | Mar. 05, 2012 | SRS, Legislature

Parents and grandparents of children who’ve been in the state’s foster care system are urging their senators to vote against confirming Phyllis Gilmore as secretary at the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Larned State Hospital seeks additional $2.1 million

1 | Apr. 24, 2012 | KDoA, SRS, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP, Mental Health

The money would be used to raise nurses’ wages, fill vacant positions and increase the medical director’s salary from $210,000 to $240,000.

Dentists shouldn't fear mid-level dental care, expert says

1 | Apr. 20, 2012 | Advocacy, Community Health, Oral Health

Proponents in at least 15 states including Kansas are pushing their legislatures to license mid-level dental providers as a way to extend basic oral health care access to thousands who have none, according to national experts.

More in Health Information Technology and Exchange News