HRSA grant links veterans to Maine HIE

The Health Research and Services Administration awarded the state of Maine and its health information exchange (HIE), HealthInfoNet, a three-year grant to improve care coordination for the state's veterans.

The grant—totaling $300,000 for the first year and a similar amount for years two and three—will be used to connect the VA Maine Healthcare System to the HIE, according to a press release. This system includes an Augusta-based medical center and 11 outpatient clinics. Once the network is established, VA providers will have access to HealthInfoNet and veterans can choose to share their VA records with private providers also using the HIE.

The exchange intends to improve care coordination for Maine veterans, which make up 12.8 percent of the state’s population. As many live in rural areas, their participation in the exchange will better enable coordination of their care as mental health providers, community health centers and physician practices are more widely spread, according to HealthInfoNet.

"This project is aligned with many efforts underway in Maine to improve the exchange of vital health information, which is essential in our rural state,” said Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew, in a statement.