Advancing Interoperability Requires Close Collaboration between Plans and Providers
A fully interoperable healthcare system would allow providers, consumers, and health plans to share and integrate data across medical records and systems. Despite new regulatory requirements, significant amounts of clinical data remain inaccessible or fragmented. Future policy efforts could improve this by emphasizing flexibility and cooperation.
Since the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act (“Cures Act”), there have been increased state and federal efforts to improve healthcare data sharing. A more interoperable healthcare system could reduce duplication and waste, identify and address gaps in care, and empower consumers with their healthcare data.
However, there continues to be significant need for innovation and collaboration, as efficient data sharing may require technology that goes beyond what is mandated in the Cures Act. As a result, Elevance Health is developing tools and approaches to support cooperation across providers, consumers, and other health plans to promote and sustain data sharing.