Health Information Exchange

When your healthcare providers can quickly access up-to-date information about your health, they can provide better, more coordinated care. An HIE helps:

• Prevent duplicate tests and procedures.
• Reduce the risk of errors by giving doctors access to accurate and current information.
• Improve communication and care coordination between different healthcare providers.
• Ensure timely and efficient treatment, especially in emergencies.

When you visit a Care New England Health System Affiliate provider or facility, your health information will be securely shared with other external providers involved in your care. Information shared can include:

• Medical history (diagnoses, surgeries, etc.)
• Medications and prescriptions
• Test results (lab tests, imaging, etc.)
• Allergy information
• Immunization records
• Discharge summaries and care plans

Yes, information shared through the HIE is encrypted (coded) and only accessible to authorized healthcare providers involved in your care.

Care New England Health System participates in the following HIEs:

• Epic Care Everywhere
• CareQuality
• Commonwell Health Alliance
• CurrentCare

Care New England Health System shares your clinical information with these HIEs and their hospital, physician practice, and health care and/or public health authority participants. 

Participation in an HIE is voluntary. You are automatically opted in to sharing; however, you have the right to opt-out if you do not want your health information to be shared through a Care New England Health System HIE. If you choose to opt-out, your healthcare providers will still be able to provide care, but they may not have access to the full range of your health information from other providers.

You can opt out at any time by completing the opt out form and sending it to:

• Your healthcare providers office.
• Care New England Health System Affiliate Health Information Management Department (see contact information below)
• Email to the Privacy Office at cneCompliance@carene.org

Your health records may still be shared with your primary care physician or other treating providers by fax or mail.

If you opt out of the HIE, healthcare providers with the Care New England Health System will not be able to electronically access your health information from other providers who participate in the exchange. You will still receive care, but it may take longer for healthcare providers to obtain your medical history, prescriptions, or test results. This may result in more paperwork or duplicate tests.

Your decision to opt out of sharing your health information with Care New England’s Health Information Exchanges applies only Care New England’s network of facilities. It does not prevent other health care providers, outside of Care New England facilities, from sharing your information with an HIE.

Yes, you can opt back in to the HIE at any time. If you decide you want your information shared electronically again, simply contact your healthcare provider or the Care New England Health System Health Information Management Department where you receive services (contact information below). Your request will be processed, and your information will be included in the exchange again.

No, opting out of the HIE will not affect your ability to access medical care. Your decision to opt out only impacts how your health information is shared between healthcare providers.

If you have questions or concerns about how your health information is being shared, contact:

• Your healthcare provider.
• Care New England Health System Affiliate Health Information Management Department where you receive services.
• Care New England Health System Privacy Office at cnecompliance@carene.org

They can provide you with more details on how HIE works and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Affiliate Health Information Management Department contact information: