Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Trust (OHIET) Company Profile

Background

The Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Trust (OHIET) was established to facilitate the development and implementation of a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Oklahoma. The primary mission of OHIET is to enhance healthcare delivery by promoting efficient and effective communication among healthcare providers, thereby improving patient care and reducing costs. The vision is to create a secure and trusted health information ecosystem that ensures timely access to accurate health data for all Oklahomans.

Key Strategic Focus

OHIET's strategic focus centers on:

• Statewide Interoperability: Ensuring seamless data exchange among healthcare providers across Oklahoma to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to state and federal regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to maintain patient privacy and data security.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with state agencies, private providers, and other stakeholders to build a robust HIE infrastructure.

• Sustainability: Developing a financially sustainable model for the HIE to ensure its long-term viability and effectiveness.

Financials and Funding

OHIET's funding history includes:

• Initial Funding: Supported by the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program (SHIECAP) grant to promote HIE under federal initiatives.

• Recent Developments: In 2020, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) contracted with Orion Health to deliver the statewide HIE platform, with a contract valued at up to $49.8 million over ten years. This partnership aims to enhance health data sharing across the state.

Pipeline Development

Key developments in OHIET's pipeline include:

• HIE Platform Implementation: Collaborating with Orion Health to deploy a comprehensive HIE platform that connects healthcare providers statewide.

• Regulatory Compliance: Working with the Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Exchange to implement administrative rules and ensure all healthcare providers participate in the HIE by July 1, 2023.

Technological Platform and Innovation

OHIET's technological initiatives involve:

• Orion Health Amadeus Platform: Utilizing Orion Health's Amadeus data platform to aggregate and analyze clinical data, facilitating improved patient care and outcomes.

• Data Security Measures: Implementing robust security protocols to protect patient data and comply with HIPAA standards.

Leadership Team

The leadership team comprises:

• Kevin Corbett: CEO and Secretary of Health and Mental Health at OHCA, overseeing the HIE initiative.

• Carter Kimble: Executive Director of the State Health Information Exchange, leading the HIE project.

• Stephen Miller: State Coordinator for Health Information Exchange, responsible for HIE operations and provider engagement.

Leadership Changes

Recent leadership developments include:

• Appointment of Carter Kimble: In 2020, Carter Kimble transitioned from Deputy Secretary of Health and Mental Health to Executive Director of the State Health Information Exchange, bringing over a decade of experience in health policy.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The HIE market is characterized by:

• Fragmented Health Records: Approximately 70% of Oklahomans have records in multiple healthcare delivery systems, highlighting the need for a unified HIE.

• Regulatory Mandates: Senate Bill 1369 (2022) requires all healthcare providers to participate in the statewide HIE by July 1, 2023, with exemptions for financial hardship or technological capability.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the Oklahoma HIE landscape include:

• MyHealth Access Network: A Tulsa-based nonprofit operating as an HIE since 2010, serving a significant portion of Oklahoma's healthcare providers. In 2021, MyHealth filed a protest against the OHCA's decision to contract with Orion Health for the statewide HIE platform.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

OHIET's strategic collaborations include:

• Partnership with Orion Health: In 2020, OHCA contracted with Orion Health to deliver the statewide HIE platform, aiming to improve health data sharing across Oklahoma.

• Collaboration with MyHealth Access Network: Despite initial disputes, MyHealth continues to play a role in the HIE ecosystem, with ongoing discussions to integrate their services.

Operational Insights

Strategic considerations for OHIET include:

• Provider Engagement: Ensuring widespread participation from healthcare providers to achieve comprehensive data exchange.

• Data Security: Maintaining high standards of data security to protect patient information and comply with regulatory requirements.

• Sustainability: Developing a sustainable financial model to support the ongoing operations of the HIE.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

OHIET's strategic roadmap involves:

• Achieving Statewide Interoperability: Ensuring all healthcare providers are connected to the HIE by the mandated deadline.

• Enhancing Data Utilization: Leveraging aggregated data to improve patient care, support public health initiatives, and inform policy decisions.

• Expanding Services: Exploring opportunities to include additional healthcare stakeholders, such as pharmacies and insurance providers, to broaden the HIE's impact.