On April 22, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology released Common Agreement Version 2.0. This version 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 update is intended to facilitate secure information exchange between participating health care organizations and allow patients to easily access their health care information through digital health apps.
The new release includes various enhancements, including simplified onboarding for clinicians and other end users. In February, ONC designated CommonWell Health Alliance and Kno2 as Qualified Health Information Networks. This designation means that seven QHINs now have the capability to electronically exchange health information nationwide under TEFCA. TEFCA is a set of common rules for secure exchange of treatment and other health information as mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016.
