Community Health Information Collaborative

TO DEVELOP A SHARED INFORMATION NETWORK THAT LINKS HOSPITALS, MEDICAL CLINICS, ACADEMIC HEALTH PROGRAMS, PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND NORTHWEST WISCONSIN.

CHIC HAS DEVELOPED A HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SOLUTION, HIE-BRIDGE, THAT IS AVAILABLE TO HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDERS AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN AWARDED THROUGH GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR, THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, THE VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION, AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. HIE-BRIDGE IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN THE SECURE EXCHANGE OF HEALTH INFORMATION USING NATIONAL STANDARDS AND FOLLOWING ALL STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS AND LAWS.CHIC IS INVOLVED IN A PROJECT THAT HAS BROUGHT MANY REGIONS AROUND THE STATE TOGETHER TO BUILD AN IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY. CHIC IS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR 18 COUNTIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.GMTBI NETWORK - THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE GMTBI NETWORK WILL EXPERIENCE A DEDICATED PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FOCUSED NETWORK CONNECTION THAT DELIVERS MEDICAL GRADE BROADBAND. MEDICAL GRADE BROADBAND MEANS QUALITY OF SERVICE, HIGH AVAILABILITY, PRIVACY PROTECTION, AND PHYSICAL REDUNDANCY. ADDITIONALLY, THE GMTBI NETWORK DESIGN UTILIZES A WAN MULTI-POINT COMPUTING DESIGN (CLOUD TECHNOLOGY) WHICH ENABLES EASE OF USE FOR ALL SUBSCRIBING ORGANIZATIONS. THE NETWORK WILL BE MANAGED THROUGH SPECIALIZED MONITORING SOFTWARE THAT ENABLES RELIABLE CONNECTIVITY AND LOW-COST SUPPORT.THE ENCRYPTED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROJECT PROVIDES FOR CONNECTION TO A DATABASE OF HEALTH CARE INSURERS INCLUDING MEDICAID AND MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. THIS CONNECTION ALLOWS FOR ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION AND TRACKING OF CLAIMS BETWEEN THE PARTICIPATING INSURERS AND CHIC MEMBERS.THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY, A FEDERAL AGENCY, PROVIDES FUNDING TO RURAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FOR TELECOMMUNICATION COSTS. CHIC PROCESSES THE APPLICATIONS FOR ITS MEMBERS.DIRECT DATA ENTRY - SECURE AND ENCRYPTED DIRECT CLAIMS SUBMISSION AND ELEGIBILITY VERIFICATION FOR MEDICARE MANAGEMENT. A SECURE CONNECTION TO MEDICARE.