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On November 15, the Office of the National Coordinator Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) released a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks public comment regarding how widespread interoperability of health information technologies and health information exchange can be achieved through a National Health Information Network (NHIN).

As the nation embarks on the widespread deployment of EHRs, a variety of concomitant challenges and barriers must be addressed. One of these is interoperability, or the ability to exchange patient health information among disparate clinicians and other authorized entities in real time and under stringent security, privacy and other protections. Through the RFI, ONCHIT seeks information regarding options to deploy, operate and sustain health information exchange. There are many perspectives that can be brought to bear on this important topic. Health information technology organizations, healthcare providers, industry associations and other stakeholders all have important insights that will inform future deliberation.

In the interest of having the most compelling, complete, and thorough responses possible, we encourage interested parties to collaborate and submit unified responses to this RFI wherever possible. Comments from the public at large are also invited. The public comment period is 60 days and expires on January 18, 2005. The RFI is available through ONCHIT's website ([DOC - 60KB]). While we provide this document on our website, the document that we publish in the Federal Register is the official ONCHIT publication and can be found here. We look forward to your response.

During the comment period, technical assistance will be available through the following means:

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List. ONCHIT will maintain a FAQ list that addresses RFI questions on the ONCHIT website. FAQs are available here.

    Email. Questions can be addressed via email to NHINRFI@hhs.gov. All incoming inquiries will receive an automated reply message confirming receipt of the email.

    Toll Free Telephone Number. ONCHIT has established a toll free number, 877-474-3918, to respond to inquiries regarding the RFI. Callers will be encouraged to check the FAQ list, and, if they can't find the answer, they should leave their name, number and question.

    December 6th Technical Assistance Conference Call. There will be a technical assistance conference call to answer questions by potential responders on December 6, 2004. Details on how to participate in the conference call will be posted on the ONCHIT website in late November.

Last revised: November 15, 2004

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