Many healthcare entities are required by law to sign the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) by January 31, 2023 and to begin sharing data by January 31, 2024—part of an ongoing CalHHS initiative to create new connections and efficiencies between health and social services providers, promote health equity, and improve whole-person care across the state.
The DSA is a shared commitment between hospitals, physician organizations and medical groups, skilled nursing facilities, health plans and disability insurers, clinical laboratories, acute psychiatric hospitals, and other voluntary signatories to securely and appropriately share patient information.
SACRAMENTO, CA — Tuesday, January 31, marks an important milestone in the implementation phase of the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework (DxF) and the deadline for many California health entities to sign the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). Signing the DSA is the first step toward implementing the DxF, the first-ever statewide data sharing agreement of its kind in California. The DxF is a critical component of achieving the CalHHS priorities of advancing health equity and improving whole-person care across the state.
“We believe that all Californians deserve the best possible care. The Data Exchange Framework delivers on that promise by promoting the secure exchange of health and social services information—a key step toward allowing every health care provider to access the information they need to treat patients quickly and safely, while also connecting health care, behavioral health, and social services agencies so they can deliver the services Californians rely on.” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. “January 31st marks the start of an exciting year to implement the Data Exchange Framework and improve health outcomes across our state. We look forward to health entities taking the first step by signing the Data Sharing Agreement and joining our shared commitment to a healthy California for all.”
The DxF advances health equity for all Californians by facilitating the secure and appropriate exchange of health and social services information. Filling gaps of understanding about the social determinants of health enables providers and California health and social services to address health inequities and disparities, especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities. In addition, by creating new connections and efficiencies between health and social services providers, the DxF will improve and modernize the patient experience and outcomes by ensuring that, at the point of care, providers can access the information they need to provide safe, effective, whole-person care.
Among the nearly 500 entities that have already signed the Data Sharing Agreement are 19 hospitals throughout California serving diverse communities across the state:
- Antelope Valley Medical Center
- Bakersfield Heart Hospital
- Bear Valley Community Hospital
- Central Coast Critical Care Associates
- College Hospital Cerritos
- Department of State Hospitals
- Desert Regional Medical Center
- Hi Desert Medical Center
- JFK Memorial Hospital
- Lompoc Valley Medical Center
- Mammoth Hospital
- Mountains Community Hospital
- Plumas District Hospital
- Prime Healthcare
- Rancho Family Medical Group
- Saint Agnes Medical Center
- Southern Mono Healthcare District dba Mammoth Hospital
- Southern Monterey County Memorial Hospital
- Vituity
In addition to these hospitals, 212 medical groups and physician practices, 124 outpatient facilities and urgent care clinics, 18 health care service plans and disability insurers, 23 community-based organizations, and a wide variety of other health care entities have all signed the Data Sharing Agreement along with voluntary signers, including:
- Alpine County Health Department
- Arrowhead Family Medical Group Inc
- Avala Pediatrics
- Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center
- BioReference Health, LLC
- County of Ventura
- Dermatology Consultants of Sacramento
- Ear Nose and Throat Associates of San Mateo County
- Epic Health Plan
- Grass Valley Eye Care Optometric, Inc.
- Health Net
- Health Plan of San Joaquin
- Hill Physicians Medical Group, Inc.
- Los Angeles LGBT Center
- Millennium Health, LLC
- Mission Pediatrics
- Mission Surgical Clinic, Inc
- Mono County Behavioral Health
- Optum Health Plan of California
- Orthopedic Institute for Children
- Pacific Inpatient Medical Group
- Peninsula Eye Physicians Medical Group
- Physicians Medical Group of San Jose, Inc.
- Primary Care Associated Medical Group, Inc.
- Primex Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
- Pulmonary Associates Burlingame Medical Corp
- River City Medical Group
- San Diego American Indian Health Center
- Santa Barbara Pulmonary Associates
- Sierra Spine Institute
- Southern California GI & Centers
- Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District
- and many more
With the January 31, 2023 deadline to sign the Data Sharing Agreement fast approaching, CalHHS urges health entities to join the nearly 500 that have already signed the Data Sharing Agreement. Entities required to sign the DSA include:
- General acute care hospitals
- Physician organizations and medical groups
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Health care service plans and disability insurers
- Clinical laboratories
- Acute psychiatric hospitals.
Many of these health entities are required to follow a common set of terms, conditions, and obligations set forth in shared policies & procedures (P&Ps) by January 31, 2024, and signatories must have the technological capabilities to engage in the Data Exchange Framework as envisioned by AB-133. Signing may also enable entities to qualify for grants to support implementation.
Entities may meet the DSA’s requirements by using their own technology, an intermediary, or a Qualified Health Information Organization (QHIO), which is a state-designated data exchange intermediary that provides technology support for health and social services providers to share and access secure information across California. Some entities, including physician practices with fewer than 25 physicians, acute psychiatric hospitals, and rural general acute care hospitals, will have until January 31, 2026 to fully implement the DxF.
To assist entities in meeting their Data Exchange Framework obligations under the law, signatories can access support from recipients of the DxF Educational Initiative Grant, including guidance on how to sign the DxF DSA and how to participate in the secure and appropriate exchange of health and social services information. With this grant funding, associations throughout 2023 will support hospitals, physician organizations, health plans, laboratories, and other health care entities in implementing the DxF through education and outreach, with a focus on assisting signatories operating in under-resourced and underrepresented communities.
To learn more about how the Data Exchange Framework can help improve health care for all Californians, visit the CA Data Exchange website to download materials, join a live webinar, and sign up for updates.
More information on the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework is available here:
- CalHHS – Data Exchange Framework
- Data Sharing Agreement
- Data
- Sharing Agreement Signing Portal
- Policies & Procedures
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