Oracle Health QHIN frequently asked questions

Pioneering the future of national healthcare interoperability

Oracle Health has formally submitted its application and is now an applicant to become a Qualified Health Information Network^® (QHIN^TM) as part of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement^TM (TEFCA^TM).

What is a Qualified Health Information Network?

The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement was established under the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, which is a US statute designed to create a standardized, nationwide approach to health information exchange. TEFCA facilitates secure health information sharing for various exchange purposes, such as treatment, individual access, healthcare operations, and more. This secure data sharing is achieved through federally recognized entities known as Qualified Health Information Networks, providing a consistent foundation for health data exchange between different EHRs and other healthcare industry technology nationwide.

How does an entity become a QHIN?

Health information networks wanting to become QHINs must apply and perform a series of tests and other steps required by the Common Agreement and associated standard operating procedures. These steps include technology conformance testing and other nonproduction testing. If the applicant QHIN is successful in all necessary application materials and testing requirements, it will achieve designated QHIN status. Once a QHIN is designated, there is a final round of production testing to demonstrate its ability to meet all the technical requirements and connect to all other QHINs.

How do QHINs benefit Oracle Health customers?

Generally, participation in a QHIN enables a provider organization to engage in TEFCA for nationwide health information exchange through the applicant Oracle Health QHIN, if designated. This participation will facilitate secure data sharing for purposes such as treatment, patient access, healthcare operations, public health, and other future exchange use cases, and will not require reliance on third parties as intermediaries.

How does application submission for QHIN status affect Oracle Health’s relationship with CommonWell?

Oracle Health plans to continue maintaining membership and status with CommonWell. We plan to continue all current CommonWell connectivity with our customers, and while we completed the application submission for QHIN status, Oracle Health customers can continue to use CommonWell for QHIN connectivity.