Dive Brief:
- HHS recently launched the Provider User-Experience Challenge as an incentive for the development of apps with open application program interfaces (APIs).
- The challenge is focused on showing how data accessible via apps through APIs can improve providers' experience with EHRs by making clinical workflows more specific to clinical specialty, intuitive, and actionable, according to HHS.
- The first phase of the challenge requires submission of technical and business plans for the app while Phase 2 requires the working app be available for consumers. The Phase 2 winner will receive a $50,000 award.
Dive Insight:
The final app design must meet certain guidelines that include: uses Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Draft Standard for Technical Use 2; verifies compatibility with different health IT developer systems in production settings; has been tested with users; and is available to providers online or at an iOS or Android store.
Phase I app plans also have specific requirements, and up to five proposals will be recognized as winners and awarded up to $15,000 each. Submissions are open now and end May 30.
In Phase 2, the apps are developed and their technical capabilities are verified. The apps are also piloted and released to the public in this phase. Phase 2 submissions will be accepted from May 31 to Nov. 7
The Phase 2 winner will receive a $50,000 prize and second place winner will receive $25,000. An "ultimate connector" prize of $25,000 will be awarded to the app that connects the greatest number of unique health IT developer systems implemented in production settings.