The steering committee of the Southeastern PA Health Information Organization (SEPA HIO) this week submitted to Pennsylvania’s health IT (HIT) coordinator and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs’ HIT coordinator a business plan and funding proposal for the formation of a health information exchange (HIE) serving the five-county region. The steering committee, consisting of representatives from AmeriHealth Mercy, DVHC, The Health Care Improvement Foundation (HCIF), and Independence Blue Cross, also is planning to work with the Department of Public Welfare on the submission of a grant application for federal Medicaid HIE funding.

Not-for-profit hospitals and health systems planning to participate in DVHC’s Community Health Needs Assessment Program must provide DVHC with letters of intent so that a final count of participating hospitals can be determined and contracts issued. (Program fees are based on the number of participating hospital facilities, with greater participation resulting in lower fees.) Through the program, hospitals will be able to meet, with a minimum of staff time and hospital resources, Affordable Care Act and Internal Revenue Service requirements and guidance for needs assessments.