ONC requires health information exchange networks to support FHIR standard

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology April 22 released Common Agreement Version 2.0, which requires health information networks participating in the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement to support the Health Level Seven Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources standard. This will make it easier for participating health care organizations to securely exchange information directly with each other and patients to access their health care information through digital health apps, officials said. Among other enhancements, they said the release includes simplified onboarding for clinicians and other end users.

In February, ONC designated CommonWell Health Alliance and Kno2 as Qualified Health Information Networks, meaning seven QHINs can now electronically exchange health information nationwide under TEFCA, a set of common rules for secure exchange of treatment and other health information required by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016.