The Standard

June 26discussion highlights efficiencies, burden reduction and features Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Providence and UC Davis Health  

This month’s roundtable focuses on the provider experience, as representatives from an academic health system and a seven-state comprehensive healthcare organization provide firsthand accounts regarding how clinicians and their teams are helping to lead the way with HL7 Da Vinci Project and HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) real-world production implementations of Da Vinci implementation guidesto enable interoperability and advance value-based care.  

Moderated by a representative of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the discussion unveils how payers’ and providers’ interactions evolve as they collaborate to tackle problems and address current pain points with the healthcare system. The panelists will share considerations, challenges and benefits of working together to establish infrastructure to streamline and automate prior authorization workflows, remove latency, and enable real-time data sharing, ultimately creating win-wins for patients, clinicians, administrators, payers and technologists. 

In May 2024, the FAST Focus webinar, "Secure Health Data Exchange," brought together experts from across the healthcare industry to delve into the intricacies of the HL7 Unified Data Access Profiles (UDAP) Security for Scalable Registration, Authentication, and Authorization Implementation Guide, commonly referred to as the FAST Security IG. This session featured insights on key components and practical implementations of the FAST Security IG. 

Introduction to the FAST Security IG 

The session began with an explanation of the role of FAST in addressing healthcare interoperability challenges. The FAST Security IG aims to create a scalable, secure framework for health data exchange across national networks like TEFCA, Carequality, and CommonWell. 

The Journey to Trustworthy Information Exchange 

A historical perspective on the FAST Security IG highlighted its roots back to 2017. The goal was to leverage existing standards like public key infrastructure (PKI), OpenID Connect, and OAuth 2.0 to ensure a scalable, secure data exchange solution. The FAST Security IG integrates these standards into a cohesive framework, emphasizing the importance of trust in health data transactions. 

Key Components of the FAST Security IG 

The core elements of the FAST Security IG include: 

• JWT-Based Authentication and Authorization: Utilizing JSON Web Tokens for secure assertions of claims from trusted third parties.
• Dynamic Client Registration: Automating client registration using digital certificates to eliminate the need for shared secrets.
• Tiered OAuth: Facilitating patient-facing workflows by directing patients to trusted identity providers for authentication.

This approach ensures that both clients and servers can be securely identified and authenticated, streamlining the registration process, and enhancing trust across the network. 

Real-World Implementations and Insights 

The panel discussion featured firsthand experiences from implementers of the FAST Security IG. The discussion emphasized the collaborative effort in refining the FAST Security IG and the importance of ongoing participation in workgroups to further enhance the specification. 

Open-source solutions to facilitate implementation were highlighted, including a .NET reference implementation and a diagnostic tool called UDAP Ed. These resources help developers visualize and test their implementations, accelerating the adoption of the FAST Security IG. 

The importance of identity assurance was underscored, advocating for a centralized, trusted entity to manage high-security registrations. The FAST Security IG's reliance on well-established standards makes it a robust and scalable solution for the healthcare industry. 

Industry invited to join and participate in the HL7 Da Vinci Project’s newest use case conference calls

Retrieving a duplicate of remittance advice that was previously issued by a payer is a headache-inducing manual process that can involve the use of web portals, phone calls, faxes and emails.

But implementing an HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) Application Programming Interface (API) could change all that.

The HL7 Da Vinci Project has launched a Postable Remittance Advice Use Case with the goal of publishing an implementation guide (IG) for such an API next year. The API will support the request for a duplicate copy of previously issued remittance advice – paper or electronic – in real time to allow efficient, timely and accurate posting of payments.

Remittance advice is a document that healthcare providers receive from insurance companies after submitting a claim. It provides information on the payment status of the claim, including the amount paid, the patient's responsibility and the reason for any denials or adjustments. The purpose of the remittance advice is to inform the healthcare provider of the remittance details and to allow them to reconcile their accounts and ensure that the payment is accurate.

May 29 Sessionfeatures athenahealth, Availity and Humana and honors HL7 Da Vinci Project Community Champions from 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET

Join us this month to hear real-world HL7 FHIR and Da Vinci implementation stories that will provide you with inspiration and insight into how you can apply the learnings of athenahealth, Availity and Humana to your organization’s efforts to reduce friction, increase efficiency and meet the federal interoperability rules. 

After recognizing the 2023 HL7 Da Vinci Project Community Champions, representatives of Availity and Humana will provide a current snapshot of Da Vinci’s effort to create a nationwide interoperable approach among payers using the Payer Data Exchange (PDex) Implementation Guide, which enables payers to create a member’s health history using clinical resources which can be understood by providers and electronic medical records (EMR) systems. This discussion provides an opportunity to better understand dynamics you’ll encounter in achieving payer-to-payer exchange compliance such as consent and endpoint discovery.  Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of the new regulatory requirements, learn about technical and business challenges and benefits from real-world implementers and gain insight into how industry is working together. 

April 24 Session Focuses on Importance of Testing and Connectathons for Implementation Success

In this timely overview, which allows you to prepare to participate in upcoming May, July and September Connectathons, the HL7 Da Vinci Projectwill highlight a key component of implementation: testing.

Experts and hands-on participants will outline why testing is important, the terms used in testing and how testing events, such as Connectathons, are organized and critical to implementation success. Who should be involved, the value of testing partnerships, what activities are planned, and how you can participate will also be discussed. The session concludes with an invaluable primer on testing tools and resources available for your use.

“Jumpstart Your HL7 FHIR Implementation: Testing and Connectathons Demystified,” is slated for April 24, 4 - 5:30 p.m. ET and features the following presenters:

• Jeff Brown, Healthcare Standards Advisor, Lantana Consulting Group
• Mike Gould, Associate Vice President, Interoperability Strategy, ZeOmega
• Kyle Johnsen, Software Developer, Epic

The session is moderated by Alix Goss, HL7 Da Vinci Project PMO, and Senior Consultant, Point-of-Care Partners.

This quarter has brought with it a lot of excitement for us to dive into the great realm of REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies) automation and its profound impact on our healthcare landscape. Buckle up, because we're about to review a thrilling journey we've been moving down towards greater efficiency, collaboration, and, most importantly, patient care!

Picture this: a world where cumbersome REMS processes are a thing of the past, replaced by seamless automation that not only streamlines workflows but also enhances patient outcomes. I know it sounds farfetched; however, I feel this dream is swiftly becoming a reality!

At the heart of this revolution lies a collective effort to transition from mere discussions to concrete actions. Through initiatives like HL7 CodeX and NCPDP (National Council for Prescription Drug Programs), we're witnessing a relentless commitment to leveraging standardized practices for interoperability and data exchange. I recently had the privilege of participating in the HL7 Connectathon, where the REMS Integration use case showcased the power of community collaboration. And guess what? We're gearing up to ballot the patient enrollment IG in May – talk about momentum!

But our quest doesn't stop there. We're just getting started! Events like the REMS Innovation Consortium (RIC) have served as epicenters of brainstorming, where industry pioneers gather to explore new horizons in patient care. Together, we're shattering the confines of traditional REMS programs and paving the way for groundbreaking innovations.

Journeying Through Industry Waters: FAST's Impactful Presence at Recent Events

As the dust settles from the whirlwind of activity over the past several weeks in the healthcare industry, marked by prominent events such as ViVE and HIMSS24, it'sevident that innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of progress. Amidst this bustling landscape, the FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) has not only made its presence felt but has also unveiled new initiatives, including the launch of the FAST Focus webinar series and the initiation of public meetings for its scalable Consent project. This blog is a brief highlight of all the most recent excitement and includes helpful links for your reference. 

Introducing FAST Focus: A Quarterly Glimpse into FHIR Infrastructure 

Launching the inaugural FAST Focus webinar marked a significant milestone, offering a quarterly rendezvous for the FHIR and interoperability communities. This platform serves as a vital conduit for keeping stakeholders abreast of FAST's endeavors in bolstering FHIR infrastructure. Past sessions' recordings and decks are readily available on the FAST calendar page in the archive section, providing a wealth of insights for eager participants. 

HIMSS24: Spotlight on FAST's Participation 

FAST had a presence at HIMSS24 and was thrilled to interact with so many attendees, from the FHIR curious to seasoned FHIR implementers curious, to learn more about FAST’s work. FAST provided volunteer FAST representatives to staff the HL7 Accelerator kiosk in the interoperability showcase. The kiosk buzzed with activity and insightful interactions. FAST also left an indelible mark with multiple presentations at the Spotlight Theater and the HL7 booth, amplifying awareness and fostering dialogue around FHIR infrastructure work. 

Register Now for March 27 Session

Fresh from the HIMSS24 stage, the presenters at the March HL7 Da Vinci Project Community Roundtable will explore existing pain points of scaling HL7 FHIR between payers and providers, the advantages of leveraging FHIR exchange networks, and the challenges that come with it to ensure security and privacy of health data.

“Interoperable FHIR: Networked FHIR Exchanges Learnings and Industry Reflections,” this month’s program, is slated for March 27, 4 - 5:30 p.m. ET.

Panelists will focus on specific use cases and stakeholders to compare different approaches.

In addition to the presentation, Da Vinci program leadership will present updates and reflections from recent months, including top themes from ViVE and HIMSS events.

Panelist include:

• Jim Adamson, Business Transformation Manager, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Dave DeGandi, Interoperability Strategist, Cambia Health Solutions
• Bill Howard, Board Chair, eHealth Exchange
• Jocelyn Keegan, Program Manager, HL7 Da Vinci Project, and Payer/Practice Lead, Point-of-Care Partners
• Karuna Relwani, Business Lead Interoperability, Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Community Roundtable is moderated by Alix Goss, HL7 Da Vinci Project PMO, and Senior Consultant, Point-of-Care Partners.

Communities Advancing FHIR and Healthcare Interoperability Formalize Joint Efforts for the Public Good

HL7 and The Sequoia Project, a non-profit and trusted advocate for nationwide health information technology (health IT) interoperability, are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration to advance global health data interoperability by accelerating the adoption of the HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standards in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to announce this alliance with HL7,” said Mariann Yeager, CEO of The Sequoia Project. “We look forward to working with HL7, alongside private and public sector subject matter experts, to advance nationwide FHIR implementation to improve interoperability nationwide.”

 HL7 and The Sequoia Project will work together to accelerate the HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard through coordinating with the work of FHIR at Scale Taskforce HL7 FHIR^® Accelerator (FAST).

Through this strategic relationship, HL7 and The Sequoia Project aim to continue working together in areas of mutual interest, including standards deployment and adoption, alignment between HL7 FHIR Accelerator projects and Sequoia initiatives, and creating a feedback loop to HL7 based on lessons learned from real-world production-level exchange initiatives, education, and testing. 

“At HL7, we are delighted to continue the journey toward meaningful interoperability with The Sequoia Project,” said Charles Jaffe, M.D., Ph.D., HL7 CEO. “Close collaboration is certain speed to market health IT interoperability improvements to reduce the strain on health systems, diminish clinician burden, and improve the lives of our patients.” 

Mark Your Calendar: Inaugural FAST Focus Webinar on FHIR Infrastructure Work 

Greetings, all interested in advancing healthcare through smart technology and robust infrastructure! We are thrilled to announce the launch of the FAST Focus, a quarterly webinar series that aims to keep you informed about and engaged with the work of FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST). You are invited to join us for the inaugural FAST Focus webinar on March 7, 2024, from 4 PM to 5 PM ET!  

Event Details

• Date and Time: March 7, 2024, 4 PM-5 PM ET 

 Speakers: 

• Alex Kontur, Public Health Analyst, Office of the National Coordinator (ONC)
• Duncan Weatherston, CEO of Smile Digital Health and Co-Chair of FAST
• David Pyke, Technical Director, FAST

 Moderator: Alix Goss, Senior Consultant, Point-of-Care Partners

The first FAST Focus Webinar will provide a deep dive into FAST's history, its pivotal role in crafting a framework for scalable FHIR infrastructure, and its current community focus. This event is not just about history; it's a glimpse into the future of health IT, revealing key projects that FAST has in the pipeline and providing a roadmap for how you can actively engage with our work. As an interactive session, we'll reserve time for a Q&A at the end to address your burning queries. Registrants will have the opportunity to submit questions when registering.