$1M in grants available for community HIE program

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of $1 million in grant funds to support community projects for the Community Interoperability Health Information Exchange (HIE) Program. The funding will help support and enable the flow of health information at the community level, leading to better care and better health.

National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Karen B. DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, announced the funding during an ONC press briefing during the 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition.

The Community Interoperability and HIE program will provide funds to up to 10 community organizations, state or local government agencies, or other community groups in an effort to "unlock health information and better integrate community resources advancing better care and healthier communities.

“The flow of health information across the entire care continuum is a critical step to realizing a learning health system that results in not only better care, but healthier people and communities. The new Community Interoperability and HIE program will fund local efforts that will leverage health IT in support of a more comprehensive digital data picture of health for people and their communities,” said DeSalvo.

Under the new grant program, awardees will demonstrate the use of health IT to the wide range of health providers, including those that are not Meaningful Use-eligible including long-term and post-acute care providers, and behavioral health providers, individuals and their caregivers. These additional providers could also be safety net providers, public health, social service, emergency medical services and other key members of the care continuum.

The deadline for the submission of applications is June 15, 2015. The deadline to submit intent to apply notices is May 15, but intent to apply notices are not mandatory. Access the submission application or find out more about the funding.