Dive Brief:
- Two large Texas-based health information exchanges are planning a merger that would consolidate millions of EHRs and theoretically save physicians money in building information technology grids.
- North Texas Accountable Healthcare Partnership and Healthcare Access San Antonio are both big players; HASA is the most advanced HIE in the state, covering 1.5 million patients through 90% of area hospitals and physicians.
- Joe Lastinger, CEO of North Texas Accountable Healthcare Partnership called the deal "the holy grail." HASA executive director Gijs Van Oort told the Dallas Morning News that the merger is key to obtaining a statewide exchange of information.
Dive Insight:
The partnership has "signed up about 30 of the hospitals representing 2,000 to 2,500 physicians who could establish connections," representing 20% of the market, according to Lastinger. "Where we really needed to be as an organization right now was maybe closer to 50% of the market."
The partnership has gotten some of the major local providers on board, but not all: Texas Health Resources, which has 24 hospitals in the region, has agreed to connect; Baylor Scott & White has not. Baylor, Parkland, HCA and the the region's big local insurers are considered supporting organizations.