HITE CT considering scaling back to secure messaging, easing privacy concerns

CT’s quasi-public entity charged with building a health information exchange for the state is considering scaling back from an overly ambitious agenda to focus on more feasible goals. At HITE-CT’s May meeting, the Board discussed focusing on secure messaging for now. As secure messaging essentially replaces the current FAXes of health information shared between individual providers engaged in a patient’s care, it does not carry the same concerns about privacy and security as the original plan. The discussion was prompted by questions raised by DSS and the federal Office of National Coordinator. HITE CT is currently funded through a federal ONC grant and is interested in securing Medicaid funds to continue operation. The scaled back agenda may include a provider directory (important to hospitals), public health reporting (important to DPH), and/or continuation of the current pilot preparations.