Surescripts Achieves QHIN Status Under TEFCA Framework
Surescripts, a leading e-prescribing company, announced on Tuesday that its data exchange has been designated as a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) under the federal government’s health information sharing framework. This designation allows Surescripts to transfer health data through the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), a framework established by the HHS to facilitate the exchange of health records among providers, patients, payers, and public health agencies. With Surescripts joining as a QHIN, the total number of QHINs now stands at nine, according to the Sequoia Project, the coordinating entity overseeing TEFCA.
TEFCA aims to set technical requirements and exchange policies to enable the healthcare sector to share patient information more efficiently. The framework was launched in late 2023 with five designated QHINs, representing various entities in the healthcare ecosystem such as health systems, insurers, and health IT vendors. These designated QHINs can query and receive information from other networks after completing onboarding processes and passing security and technology checks.
Mariann Yeager, CEO of the Sequoia Project, emphasized the rigorous nature of the QHIN designation process to ensure a high standard for the nation’s health information sharing infrastructure. Surescripts expressed its intent to become a QHIN two years ago, citing its products that enable the electronic transmission of prescription information, sharing of medication histories, and verification of patients’ prescription coverage.
In 2022, over 250,000 clinicians utilized Surescripts’ Record Locator and Exchange tool to access and share clinical information. The following year saw an increase in usage, with over 416,000 providers leveraging the tool. Surescripts is among the new QHINs added since the operationalization of TEFCA. Other recent additions include CommonWell Health Alliance, Kno2, eClinicalWorks, and Oracle Health, which announced its intention to apply for QHIN status last fall after acquiring EHR company Cerner in 2022.
Surescripts’ acceptance as a QHIN comes on the heels of private equity firm TPG Capital acquiring a majority stake in the company. Existing investors, including CVS Health, Express Scripts, and pharmacist trade groups, maintain a minority interest in Surescripts.
Overall, Surescripts’ designation as a QHIN under TEFCA highlights its commitment to facilitating secure and efficient health data exchange, further enhancing interoperability within the healthcare industry.
