Oklahoma's New Health Information Exchange: Improving Patient Care, Provider Communication

A new system in Oklahoma could make it easier for your doctor to share your information with other providers. 

Oklahoma's State-Designed Health Information Exchange is through the MyHealth Access Network. One doctor says the goal of the system is to connect healthcare providers and improve healthcare for Oklahomans.

Senate Bill 1369 passed in May 2022-creating the Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Exchange. All licensed healthcare providers were mandated to join the exchange by July 1, 2023. Dr. David Kendrick says that many providers are participating, which has led to federal funding for the network.

Oklahoma providers can access funding to connect their electronic health records to the state-designated Health Information Exchange, MyHealth, through the Health Information Exchange Connection Fee Assistance Program.

Currently, $21 million is available for applicants. The HIE collects, stores, and exchanges clinical information electronically across different healthcare systems while ensuring privacy and security under privacy laws.

"Having this network available enables every patient to come to the doctor and say hey my records are in ‘MyHealth.’ I want to make sure you check those and deliver comprehensive care to me,” Dr. Kendrick said. 

This program helps patients by reducing costs by cutting unnecessary tests and hospital visits, improving care coordination and patient experience while ensuring providers communicate effectively.