93.347: Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) Cooperative Agreement

93.347

Inactive

HHS Immediate Office of the Secretary (IOS) [HHS]

Aug. 11, 2021

Aug. 11, 2021

The purpose of this program is to support efforts to advance the establishment of an interoperable health system that (1) empowers individuals to use their electronic health information to the fullest extent (2) enables providers and communities to deliver smarter, safer, and more efficient care, and (3) promotes innovation at all levels. The Draft Trusted Exchange Framework, released on January 5, 2018, advances the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) to advance nationwide interoperability by creating a common set of principles, terms, and conditions that facilitate trust between health information networks (HINs). The Draft Trusted Exchange Framework contains two parts: Part A—Principles for Trusted Exchange and Part B—Minimum Required Terms and Conditions for Trusted Exchange. Part A provides guard rails and general principles that HINs and Qualified HINs should follow to engender trust amongst Participants and End Users. Part B provides specific minimum required terms and conditions to be included into a single Common Agreement by a RCE. ONC will review comments received on Part A and Part B to develop a final Trusted Exchange Framework that the RCE would assist in implementing. Part B of the Draft Trusted Exchange Framework is not intended to be an all-encompassing participation agreement, but rather includes provisions to address identified areas of variation across existing network agreements. This funding opportunity announcement seeks to identify a single RCE that will – in collaboration with ONC – incorporate the final Part B requirements into a single Common Agreement to which Qualified HINs and their Participants may voluntarily agree to adhere. Development of a single, all-encompassing agreement that is nationwide in scope will significantly reduce the need for one-off or point-to-point interfaces, which are costly, complex to create and maintain, and an inefficient use of provider and health IT developer resources.

B - Cooperative Agreements

Any entity applying for a cooperative agreement must satisfy the following criteria: 1. Be a United States-based not-for-profit entity; 2. Has an existing (or previous) agreement (or single collective set of existing policies) which the applicant determines, oversees, or administers that defines the business, operational, technical, or other conditions or requirements for enabling or facilitating access, exchange, or use of electronic health information between or among two or more unaffiliated individuals or entities. 3. Currently operates or has previously operated across two (2) or more state jurisdictions and can demonstrate governance over data sharing across these jurisdictions; 4. Demonstrates, through letters of support, previous or current participation and membership in a public-private collaborative across two or more state jurisdictions and from multiple types of stakeholders. Such stakeholders can include, but are not limited to, healthcare systems, payers, purchasers, care providers (i.e. long-term and post-acute care, behavioral health, community-based and safety net providers, and emergency medical services), key partners and stakeholders, health IT developers; health information networks, and/or other multi-stakeholder collaboratives that enable widespread health information exchange to occur; 5. Demonstrates the presence of a current (or previous) board or commission with broad stakeholder representation, that has governing authority over the entity, and the ability to modify as needed immediately upon award; 6. Has a mission statement or similar principal organizational goal indicating their commitment to the advancement of health care interoperability; and 7. Demonstrates a commitment to transparent, fair, and nondiscriminatory data exchange by participants through existing organizational policies and governing structure. a. The existing organizational policies must include policies that prevent conflicts of interest. b. The applicant must not be majority controlled by any single entity. c. If awarded, the applicant may never be affiliated with a QHIN and must make an attestation specifically to this requirement.

Not Applicable

https://sam.gov/fal/a968c872c0784784b5e49cff980461b6/view