Patient Education: Health Information Exchange Participation
What you need to know:
VITAS is partnering with Health Information Exchange (HIE) vendors to provide secure visibility to the care provided to you by using admission, discharge, and transfer (ADT) notifications between providers. Notifications update physicians and care management teams on a patient’s status, which can improve post-discharge transitions, prompt follow-ups, simplify communication among providers, and support patients with multiple or chronic conditions. Participating in this service is always your choice.
How is information shared today?
Today, healthcare providers, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and insurance companies share health information via fax, telephone, mail, and some limited computer networks. It is not efficient, takes additional time, and can still result in incomplete patient information.
What are the benefits of using this service?
By opting into this service you are consenting to allow your provider network to send automatic or manual electronic notifications when your care setting has changed: when you have been admitted, discharged, or transferred to another facility. The alert is sent to providers with whom you have an active care relationship. This improves care coordination and presents a more complete picture of your care to your providers.
- Notifies provider network when care setting change
- Prompts follow-up if necessary
- Offers a more complete picture of your care continuum
What should I know about the security of my health records?
VITAS and our HIE partners are legally prohibited from using your information in an unauthorized manner. Your personal information cannot be sold for any reason. State and federal protection guidelines are in place to ensure the security of your information. Unauthorized access violates Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards and is punishable by law.
How can I decide to participate?
At the time of hospice admission you will be given an HIE consent form to review with a VITAS staff member. To opt-in, fill out the requested information, check the opt-in box, and sign. You can decide to participate at a later time by contacting VITAS at 877.590.0208.
What if I don’t want to use the HIE service anymore?
You can opt out of participating in the HIE at any time by contacting VITAS at 877.590.0208. You may change your mind as many times as you want during your stay with VITAS. Your care will not be negatively affected by your choice to opt out, and any further treatment or care setting changes will not be documented in the HIE. VITAS will continue to collaborate with your providers for treatment options, care coordination, and payment, but the information will not be added to the HIE.
What health information will be shared?
VITAS will share with your provider network via an electronic notification when your setting of care has changed. As an example, this transition could be from skilled nursing to a home setting, or from hospice care to a hospital inpatient setting. To ensure the notification is routed correctly, securely shared information includes your name, date of birth, address, current care setting, providers, insurance information, current diagnosis, and hospice participation.