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​HITOC and OHA are pleased to share that HITOC's Draft Oregon Strategic Plan for Health IT, 2024-2028 is now available!

Oregon's Strategic Plan for Health IT provides high-level priorities, guidance, and direction for health IT over the next five years, and includes HITOC's Vision, Goals, Principles, Strategies, and Activities for health IT in Oregon. The plan was developed over a multi-year process involving HITOC meetings, two workgroups, and extensive community engagement (See Community Engagement and Input Report 2018-2023). The Strategies focus on patients and consumers, electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), community information exchange (CIE), interoperability, and governance.

The plan is intended for everyone using or impacted by health IT in Oregon. To provide feedback to HITOC on this Strategic Plan or other topics, please email HITOC.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov or provide public comment at a HITOC meeting. Please see the Strategic Plan webpage for more information on the process and further materials and resources.

​Oregon’s Health Information Technology Oversight Council (HITOC) is accepting applications for new members!

The Office of Health IT and Analytics Infrastructure is excited to announce recruitment for Oregon’s Health Information Technology Oversight Council (HITOC).

HITOC members are responsible for setting health IT strategies that support Oregon’s health system transformation and health equity goals and improve the health system. They are also responsible for making policy recommendations, assessing the health IT landscape, and providing programmatic oversight. HITOC reports to the Oregon Health Policy Board, and the Board approves HITOC’s membership.

HITOC is recruiting for several open positions.

We’re looking for candidates who have strong lived and professional experience with health IT and how it impacts people in Oregon. Ideal candidates are committed to eliminating health inequities and ensuring health system transformation efforts are supported by health IT.

To ensure equitable representation, and based on known gaps in current representation, we are seeking diverse representatives from all areas of the State, especially:

  • Behavioral health organizations
  • Community-based organizations and social services
  • Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO) and health plans
  • Healthcare consumers, including people with disabilities and consumer advocates
  • People with experience working and living in long-term care
  • Students and youth involved in health IT
  • Geographic representation, particularly those who have experience with remote or sparsely populated areas such as Central or Eastern Oregon
  • Representation from racially and culturally diverse communities

Note: Technology vendors are not eligible to serve on HITOC but may be considered for workgroups or subcommittees.

The Tribal seat is currently open. Recruitment for this seat is managed through OHA Tribal Affairs and is at the discretion of the Tribes.

Details of service: HITOC members serve terms of up to three years and can be reappointed when their first term ends. Reappointment is at the discretion of the member, the Council Chairs, and the Board.

HITOC meets every two months for 3 hours from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Meetings are held on even months and typically fall on the first Thursday of the month. Most meetings are virtual, and members can join online or via phone. HITOC meets in person approximately once per year with an option to join virtually.

How to Apply: Complete both the Membership Application and the supplemental membership application (aplicación combinada en español). Please email the supplemental or Spanish application to HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov. The application is now open and will close 2/14/2024.

Qualified members of state committees can apply to be compensated for committee work. Compensation is taxable. More information can be found on the OHA Committees Website.

For more information and materials from previous meetings, visit the HITOC website.

Everyone has a right to know about and participate in Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Committees. If you need this information in an alternate format (such as Braille, large print, audio, video or other formats) or in another language, or would like to request interpretation service, please contact Laurel Moffat, Laurel.Moffat@oha.oregon.gov.

 

¡El Consejo de Supervisión de Tecnología de la Información de Salud (HITOC) de Oregon está aceptando solicitudes de quienes deseen convertirse en miembros!

La Oficina de TI de Salud e Infraestructura de Análisis tiene el agrado de realizar esta convocatoria para quienes deseen formar parte del Consejo de Supervisión de Tecnología de la Información de Salud (HITOC, por sus siglas en inglés) de Oregon.

Los miembros del HITOC son responsables de establecer estrategias de TI de salud que apoyen los objetivos de equidad en salud, además de la transformación y la mejora del sistema de salud de Oregon. También son responsables de realizar recomendaciones de políticas, evaluar el panorama de la TI de salud y supervisar los programas. El HITOC informa a la Junta de Políticas de Salud de Oregon, quien es la responsable de aprobar a los miembros del consejo.

El HITOC busca a personas para ocupar varios puestos vacantes. Buscamos a candidatos que tengan una sólida experiencia personal y profesional con la TI de salud y su impacto en los habitantes de Oregon. Los candidatos ideales se tratan de personas con el compromiso de eliminar las desigualdades y de garantizar que los esfuerzos de transformación del sistema de salud se apoyen en la TI de salud.

Para garantizar una representación equitativa, y basándonos en las brechas ya conocidas en la representación actual, estamos buscando a diversos representantes de todas las áreas del estado, especialmente:

  • Organizaciones de salud conductual
  • Organizaciones y servicios sociales comunitarios
  • Organizaciones de atención coordinada (Coordinated Care Organizations, CCO, por sus siglas en inglés) y planes de salud
  • Consumidores de servicios de atención médica, incluyendo a las personas con discapacidades y a los defensores de los consumidores
  • Personas con experiencia trabajando y viviendo en cuidados a largo plazo
  • Estudiantes y jóvenes que participan en la TI de salud
  • Representación geográfica, particularmente personas que tengan experiencia en áreas remotas o poco pobladas, como el centro o el este de Oregon
  • Representación de comunidades racial y culturalmente diversas.

Aviso: los proveedores de tecnología no son elegibles para formar parte del HITOC, pero pueden tomarse en cuenta para grupos de trabajo o subcomités.

El puesto para representantes tribales se encuentra vacante. El reclutamiento para este puesto se gestiona a través de Asuntos Tribales de la OHA y queda a discreción de las tribus.

Detalles del servicio: los miembros del HITOC prestan sus servicios por un periodo de hasta tres años y pueden volver a ser nombrados luego de que finalice su primer periodo. La renovación del nombramiento queda a discreción del miembro, de los presidentes del consejo y de la junta.

El HITOC se reúne cada dos meses durante 3 horas, de 12:30 p. m. a 15:30 p. m. Las reuniones se suelen llevar a cabo el primer jueves de los meses pares. La mayoría de las reuniones son virtuales y los miembros pueden unirse en línea o por teléfono. El HITOC se reúne de forma presencial aproximadamente una vez al año, aunque existe la opción de unirse virtualmente.

Cómo solicitar membresía: llene la solicitud de membresía (español). Para completar en inglés, envíe tanto la solicitud de membresía y la solicitud de membresía complementaria. Envíe por correo electrónico la solicitud complementaria o la solicitud en español a HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Las solicitudes se pueden enviar desde este momento hasta el 2/14/2024.

Los miembros calificados de los comités estatales pueden solicitar que se les compense por su labor. Esta compensación está sujeta a impuestos. Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web de los comités de la OHA.

Para obtener más información y materiales de reuniones anteriores, visite el sitio web del HITOC.

Todos tienen derecho a conocer y a participar en los comités de la Oregon Health Authority (OHA, por sus siglas en inglés). Si necesita esta información en un formato alternativo (como Braille, letra grande, audio, video u otros formatos) o en otro idioma, o si desea solicitar el servicio de interpretación, comuníquese con Laurel Moffat: Laurel.Moffat@oha.oregon.gov.​


​The House Bill (HB) 4150 Final Report: Supporting Statewide CIE was submitted to the legislature on January 31, 2023, meeting the required deadline. The Health Information Technology Oversight Council (HITOC) chartered the CIE Workgroup, as required by HB 4150 (2022), to provide recommendations on strategies to accelerate, support, and improve statewide CIE in Oregon. The report reflects the CIE Workgroup's recommendations, perspectives from community-based organization (CBO) interviews and survey responses, and HITOC comment.

Main findings and recommendations from the Report include:

  1. CIE requires sustainable investment in systems change, as well as building trust and relationships to achieve the intended value.
  2. Support for CBOs is paramount, as they are a priority partner and must also be at the table in decision making.
  3. CIE should promote equity and accessibility and be person-centered. Ensuring health equity across CIE efforts necessitates prioritizing culturally and linguistically specific organizations.
  4. Inclusive and neutral statewide governance is needed and must be responsive to CBO and community needs.
  5. Privacy and security of data must be prioritized, as must transparency and accountability about data.

The recommendations were strongly aligned to move statewide CIE efforts forward in support of health equity and improved service coordination. The critical next steps to accomplish this are financial investment for participants, particularly CBOs, and statewide governance.

Find the final report, executive summary, and other information on OHA's CIE website.

The Workgroup met monthly March through November 2022 to develop the report and has concluded meeting. Recommendations will inform HITOC's strategic plan and may inform legislation in Oregon's 2023 session. For questions regarding the report please contact Hope Peskin-Shepherd, CIE Lead Policy Analyst, at Hope.Peskin-Shepherd@dhsoha.state.or.us. ​


Archive News

​View​ October 2021 HIT Programs Update​

​View​ the October 2021 OHIT eNewsletter​

​View​ August 2021 HIT Programs Update

​View​ the June 2021 HIT Programs Updates

Join us April 29 1:30-3:00pm for a webinar on community information exchange (CIE). We will explore what CIE is, how it may be valuable, and hear about successes and challenges faced. Representatives from AllCare CCO, Project Access Now, Cascade Health Alliance, and Sky Lakes Medical Center will share their experiences using CIE. Q&A will follow.

To find out more visit our CIE webpage >​


​

HITOC member nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application and background information can be found on our recruitment page here >​ ​

​View​ the April 2021 HIT Programs Update

​View the February 2021 HIT Program Updates​

​View​ the January 2021 OHIT eNewsletter

​

On December 10th,  CMS released a proposed rule, building on the CMS Interoperability and Patient Access final rule (CMS-9115-F) that would require certain CMS-regulated payers to improve the electronic exchange of health care data via Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and streamline the prior authorization process to reduce burden on payers, providers, and patients.  This proposed rule would place new requirements on Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans, state Medicaid and CHIP fee-for-service programs, and Qualified Health Plans (QHP) issuers on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs).

 

For a summary of the proposed rule see the CMS Fact Sheet. The proposed rule can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/121020-reducing-provider-and-patient-burden-cms-9123-p.pdf. The comment period closes on January 4, 2021.

 

Highlights of the NPRM include that starting January 1, 2023 payers:

  • Add prior authorization decisions to Patient Access API information sharing requirements
  • Implement a privacy policy attestation process for third-party app developers
  • Implement a Provider Access API for payer-to-provider data sharing
  • Reduce prior authorization burden on providers through the implementation of APIs and other requirements
  • Meet additional Payer-to-Payer requirements, including the use of a FHIR-based API similar to Patient Access
  • Add claims, encounters, and prior authorization decisions to Payer-to-Payer Exchange information sharing requirements
  • Adopt specified implementation guides to support API implementation

The NPRM also includes five Requests for Information (RFIs). CMS is seeking comments on the following:

  • Methods for Enabling Patients and Providers to Control Sharing of Health Information
  • Electronic Exchange of Behavioral Health Information
  • Reducing Burden and Improving Electronic Information Exchange of Documentation and Prior Authorization
  • Reducing the Use of Fax Machines for Health Care Data Exchange
  • Accelerating the Adoption of Standards Related to Social Risk Data​


​View​ the December 2020 eNewsletter

​View the December 2020 HIT Program Updates​

Oregon community information exchanges (CIEs) are developing across the state, sponsored by Medicaid coordinated care organizations (CCOs), health plans and other organizations. CIE can be used by interested community-based organizations (CBOs), local public health authorities (LPHAs), and Tribes to coordinate wraparound and social services support for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. Joining a CIE is voluntary and not required under the COVID-19 Grants for Community Based Organizations.

In coordination with internal and external partners, OHA has developed an informational flyer that provides further detail about CIE for COVID supports. We also plan to hold an informational webinar where community stakeholders interested in CIE can learn more, and to gather feedback in the future. We’ll share more information about these events in upcoming newsletters and on our OHA CIE website.

Flyer:


About CIE

CIE is a network of healthcare and human/social service partners using a technology platform with functions such as a shared resource directory, “closed loop” referrals, reporting, social needs screening, and other features to electronically connect people to social services and supports.

Learn more about CIE in Oregon​

View​ the ​November 2020 eNewsletter

Federal Interoperability Final Rules Webinar for CCOs/Payers

We’re pleased to announce that OHA’s Office of Health IT is hosting a Federal Interope​rability Final Rules ​Webinar, specifically tailored to CCOs/payers (including Medicare Advantage plans). The webinar will take place on November 5, 2020, from 2 – 4 pm. The ONC and CMS final rules implement interoperability and patient access provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, requiring the implementation of new policies that will give patients unprecedented safe, secure access to their health data. National health IT subject matter expert, Rim Cothren, will present on the CMS Interoperability and Patient Access final rule payer requirements. In addition, representatives from the Oregon Health Authority who cover Medicaid Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), Dental Care Organizations (DCOs), and Fee-for-Service will be present to provide information and answer questions.

The webinar will:
  1. Review CMS Interoperability and Patient Access final rule requirements for applicable CMS-regulated payers
  2. Share what OHA is doing in relation to the rules
  3. Discuss what CCOs/payers need to do
  4. Highlight impact to health plan member experience
  5. Explore opportunities for coordination among impacted payers and sharing of best practices
  6. Answer questions
Who should attend? Anyone can attend. This free webinar is intended to orient CCOs/payers (including Medicare Advantage plans) to the CMS Interoperability and Patient Access final rule payer requirements and what OHA is doing.

Send in your questions!

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions they’d like to have answered. We’ll be accepting questions ahead of the webinar, until 5 pm Monday, November 2. You can submit your questions via the webinar registration or send an email directly to Marta Makarushka at Marta.M.Makarushka@dhsoha.state.or.us. The webinar will also include a Q&A period.

Register for the webinar >

If you have questions about the webinar, please reach out to Marta Makarushka at Marta.M.Makarushka@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

  • Sign language and spoken language interpreters
  • Written materials in other languages
  • Braille
  • Large print
  • Audio and other formats 
If you need help or have questions, please contact Marta Makarushka at (971) 239-9541 or Marta.M.Makarushka@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.​

​View​ the October 2020 OHIT eNewsletter

​We are excited to announce that OHA’s Office of Health IT is hosting a Federal Interoperability Final Rules Webinar on October 1st from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. The ONC  and CMS final rules implement interoperability and patient access provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, requiring the implementation of new policies that will give patients unprecedented safe, secure access to their health data. National health IT subject matter expert, Rim Cothren, will present the requirements of both final rules, which have implications for payers, providers, health IT vendors/developers, and health information exchanges/networks. The webinar will review:

  • The individual requirements
  • Upcoming deadlines
  • Federal plans for enforcement
  • Challenges organizations may face in meeting the requirements
Who should attend? Anyone can attend. This free webinar is intended to provide an overview of the final rule requirements for all those affected including payers, providers, health IT vendors/developers, and health information exchanges/networks.

We encourage attendees to bring their questions as there will be a question and answer session following the presentation. An FAQ document and webinar recording will be made available on our website.

Join ZoomGov Meeting
https://www.z​oomgov.com/j/1619039587?pwd=dExBTUtGbzNEbXpGa3FVczFjUHNUZz09​
Toll-free Phone Number: 669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 903 9587
Passcode: 146440

If you have questions, please reach out to Marta Makarushka at Marta.M.Makarushka@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:
  • Sign language and spoken language interpreters
  • Written materials in other languages
  • Braille
  • Large print
  • Audio and other formats
If you need help or have questions, please contact Marissa Pantley at 503-881-2749, or OHIT.Info@dhsoha.​state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.


​View ​the September 2020 OHIT eNewsletter

​View​ the August 2020 eNewsletter

​View the August 2020 HIT Program Updates ​

View ​the July 2020 OHIT eNewsletter​

The CQMR is live to collect electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and CCO incentive measures and to support eCQM reporting to CMS for the CPC+ and MIPS programs. Updated and new training materials and webinars are available on the CQMR Resources​ page. 

​View​ the February 2020 OHIT eNewsletter

View​ the ​February 2020 HIT Programs Update



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