TITLE
a. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to execute a Health Information Exchange Provider Participation Agreement (Monterey County Provider Participants) (“Participation Agreement”) with Central Coast Health Connect, LLC (CCHC), for participation in the county’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) for the period of September 15, 2016 through June 30, 2018;
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to the Participation Agreement where the total amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work, and
c. Authorize use of CCHC’s Attestation Form, pursuant to which each health care provider accessing the HIE at the Health Department or Natividad Medical Center shall attest compliance with the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to execute a Health Information Exchange Provider Participation Agreement (Monterey County Provider Participants) (“Participation Agreement”) with Central Coast Health Connect, LLC (CCHC), for participation in the county’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) for the period of September 15, 2016 through June 30, 2018;
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to the Participation Agreement where the total amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work, and
c. Authorize use of CCHC’s Attestation Form, pursuant to which each health care provider accessing the HIE at the Health Department or Natividad Medical Center shall attest compliance with the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Central Coast Health Connect, LLC (CCHC) is a health information organization (HIO), created to oversee and facilitate a HIE, which will mobilizes healthcare information electronically across organizations within the Monterey County.
CCHC is managed by a Board of Managers and its founding members include Community Health Innovations, LLC (CHI) and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital (SVMH). CCHC has contracted with CHI to perform day-to-day management of the HIE.
The Participation Agreement sets forth the terms of participation between the Health Department and CCHC and includes CCHC insurance requirements; general liability, errors and omissions, cyber liability and indemnification language. The Terms and Conditions are included as part of the Agreement and establish the conditions under which the Health Department will provide data and access data through CCHC’s HIE. CCHC Privacy and Security Policies and Procedures are also included as part of the Agreement and govern how CCHC will safeguard patient information and ensure compliance with patient privacy laws. These policies were developed with the participation of the Information Technology and Compliance staff and outside experts of NMC, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), SVMH and CHI. The provider Attestation Form is included and will be used by both the Health Department and Natividad Medical Center to ensure that all HIE authorized users providing services will comply with the terms of the Participation Agreement.
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Monterey County Health Department to become a participant in CCHC’s HIE and begin securely accessing and sharing patient health data with other participating healthcare providers for the purpose of reducing health disparities, improving engagement of patients and families, improving care coordination, population and public health and improving communication between hospitals, clinics and care providers while maintaining privacy and security of patient health information.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2011 - 2015 Strategic Plan initiative: Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4) Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems, and 5) Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, the Auditor-Controller and Contracts/Purchasing have reviewed and approved the Agreement. Risk has reviewed and accepts the non-standard provisions.
FINANCING:
There are no fiscal provisions included as part of this Agreement.
Prepared by: Sheena Morales, Management Analyst III, x1393
Approved by: Elsa M. Jimenez, Director of Health, x4526
Attachments:
Central Coast Health Connect Participation Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board
Central Coast Health Connect Attestation Form is on file with the Clerk of the Board