SPECIAL NOTE TO: Healthcare Providers, EHR Software Vendors, and HIT Software Services Vendors: Health Information Technology Prototype THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND NO CONTRACT AWARD WILL BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS POSTING. INTRODUCTION: The Social Security Administration requests medical evidence to support the disability claims process. Today, requests for medical evidence, along with the authorization to release information, are sent to the healthcare provider via mail or fax. In turn, healthcare providers have multiple channels (mail, fax, web, and secure electronic transmission) to respond back to SSA with the medical evidence. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is interested in initiating a prototype project in the electronic exchange of standardized health information with healthcare providers. The objective of the project will be to evaluate the feasibility, technical alternatives, and potential value of leveraging electronic communication along with structured clinical information with healthcare providers for the disability claims process. A provider-based EHR may provide responses to electronic requests from SSA using standard electronic transactions transmitting structured clinical information, which could result in quicker decisions on disability claims. SSA is interested in hearing from any healthcare providers, EHR vendors and/or technology partners that are interested in discussing this approach, alternative concepts, and opportunities to partner in this prototype. SSA requests that all responders include a brief description of their area of interest and their capabilities associated with the subject matter of this notice. Please submit your response directly to Debbie Somers at
[email protected].