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Press Releases
- JULY 16, 2007 - Agency for Health Care Administration Announces 2007-2008 Florida Health Information Network Grants
- JUNE 28, 2006 - Agency for Health Care Administration Announces 2006-2007 Florida Health Information Network Grants
- JUNE 7, 2006 - Agency for Health Care Administration Receives Contract to Evaluate the Impact of Privacy and Security Policies on Interoperable Health Information Networks
- JANUARY 6, 2006 - Lt. Governor Toni Jennings and Secretary Alan Levine Announce Recipients of Florida Health Information Network Grants
- SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 - Governor Bush Appoints Peter D. Greaves to the Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
- MARCH 11, 2005 - Agency for Health Care Administration, Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board Meets With Other States To Discuss The Future Of Electronic Medical Records
- OCTOBER 8, 2004 - Governor's Health Advisory Board Recommends Bold Initiative To Bring Electronic Health Records To Floridians
- AUGUST 10, 2004 - Medicaid Gives Physicians Tools to Enhance Patient Safety; Reduce Fraud
- JUNE 7, 2004 - Governor Bush Appoints Twelve To The Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
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July 16, 2007
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES 2007-2008 FLORIDA HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK GRANTS
~Grant recipients to expand the role of electronic medical records in Florida~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, today announced the nine recipients of the 2007-2008 Florida Health Information Network (FHIN) grants. The grants, totaling $2 million, are designed to facilitate the adoption electronic health records in a secure, privacy-protected health information exchange within Florida.
“Providing support to these organizations is a key step to advancing Florida’s health information exchange network,” said Secretary Agwunobi. “By improving the health care technology system, we can ensure patients receive the highest quality of medical care.”
Organizations selected by AHCA to receive FHIN grant awards are:
- Assessment and Planning
- Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs – $70,614
- Operations and Evaluation
- Big Bend Regional Healthcare Information Organization – $249,750
- Duval County Health Department – $406,944
- Florida Healthcare Coalition/Central Florida Regional Health Information Organization – $200,000
- Northwest Florida Regional Health Information Organization – $296,250
- Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance – $200,000
- South Florida Health Information Initiative – $284,924
- Tampa Bay Regional Research and Educational Foundation – $246,618
- Training and Technical Assistance
- Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance (Florida Association of Regional Health Information Organizations) – $44,900
Florida’s policymakers directed the AHCA to develop the FHIN Grant Program to facilitate the development of a statewide privacy-protected health information infrastructure network. The program provides seed money to develop regional health information exchanges and encourages practitioners to become active users of electronic health records. The Governor’s Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board (GHIIAB) competitively evaluates all applicants for the grant program and makes recommendations to the Secretary Agwunobi.
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care for all Floridians, AHCA administers Florida’s $16.6 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care providers and 37 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care quality performance and pricing information. For more information, please visit http://ahca.myflorida.com.
Please address comments to Shelisha Durden (850) 922-5871 or email durdens@ahca.myflorida.com
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June 28, 2006
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES 2006-2007 FLORIDA HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK GRANTS~Recipients to create health information networks and expand role of electronic medical records~
TALLAHASSEE - Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Alan Levine today announced the selection of organizations to receive the 2006-2007 Florida Health Information Network (FHIN) grants. The grants, totaling $2 million, are designed to facilitate the adoption and use of privacyprotected electronic health records in Florida. Three local health information exchange projects who received operation & evaluation grants in Fiscal Year 2005-2006 have experienced early successes and their efforts will be continued to be supported. In addition, three new operation & evaluation grant applicants that have demonstrated expertise and community support will receive funding.
Organizations selected by AHCA to receive FHIN grant awards are:
- Big Bend Regional Healthcare Information Organization - $313,822
- Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance - $242,812
- Tampa Bay Regional Health Information Organization - $330,339
- South Florida Health Information Initiative - $329,303
- Community Health Informatics Organization, Inc. - $222,384
- Escambia Health Information Network - $330,339
- JaxCare, Inc. - $231,002
“Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature have made a strong commitment to supporting the development of a privacy-protected statewide electronic health records infrastructure,” said Secretary Levine. “By embracing President Bush’s call for every American to have an electronic medical record in the next ten years and developing networks here in Florida, we’re making a long-term investment in the quality of health care that each and every Floridian receives.”
The FHIN grant program was developed by AHCA to facilitate the development of a statewide privacyprotected health information infrastructure network. The program provides seed money to develop regional health information exchanges and encourages practitioners to become active users of electronic health records. The Governor’s Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board (GHIIAB) competitively evaluates all applicants for grant program and makes recommendations to the Agency Secretary.
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $16 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 30 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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June 7, 2006
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION RECEIVES CONTRACT TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF PRIVACY AND SECURITY POLICIES ON INTEROPERABLE HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORKS~Project seeks to define business practices that ensure confidentiality of medical records~
TALLAHASSEE - The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) today announced it has been awarded a contract by RTI International to join a national collaborative effort to study Health Information Privacy and Security. Under the terms of the contract, the Agency is charged with assessing how privacy and security policies, regulations, and business practices might affect the creation and operation of an interoperable health information network. This project is part of a contract awarded to RTI in October 2005 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“We must be certain that all reasonable measures are taken to safeguard health information data,” said AHCA Secretary Alan Levine. “Assessing security practices is the first step to enabling the operation of a confidential health information exchange”
Florida has been awarded a contract valued at $344,999. The Agency will utilize the funding to examine current federal and state privacy and security regulations that may impact the implementation and organization of health information networks in the private marketplace. In order to identify business practices that will facilitate the development of these networks a wide range of stakeholders will be consulted, including clinicians, physician groups, health facilities and hospitals, public health agencies, pharmacies, long-term care facilities and nursing homes, and consumer organizations.
The Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board will serve as the project's Steering Committee. Michael Heekin, Chairman of the Board and special advisor to the Governor, will chair the Steering Committee.
Board members and others that will chair project work groups is as follows: Michael Heekin -- Chairman Peter Greaves -- State Variations Working Group Dr. Ronald Burns -- State Legal Working Group Kevin Kearns and Dr. Mark Frisse -- State Solutions Working Group Robert Reese -- State Implementation Plan Working Group
Information gathered through Florida’s collaborative process will be combined with that from similar efforts in 22 states and serve as a guide to help federal officials address security and privacy concerns that affect the sharing of electronic health information. The project is one of four key components of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) health information plan for achieving nationwide health care data exchange.
A “request for proposal” (RFP) was released in January 2006, and each state and territory was able to compete for funding to examine their state’s privacy and security policies, regulations, and business practices that might affect their ability to connect to the national health information network (e.g., electronic medical records, e-prescribing, and e-billing). As of the March 1, 2006 deadline, RTI received 43 proposals in response to the RFP.
Florida's proposal is posted on the AHCA website at: http://ahca.myflorida.com/dhit/index.shtml
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $16 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 37 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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JANUARY 6, 2006
LT. GOVERNOR TONI JENNINGS AND SECRETARY ALAN LEVINE ANNOUNCE RECIPIENTS OF FLORIDA HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK GRANTS~With increased support in Governor Bush’s 2006 budget, grant recipients to expand the role of electronic medical records in Florida~
TALLAHASSEE - Lt. Governor Toni Jennings and Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Alan Levine, joined by representatives of the Tampa Bay Regional Health Information Organization, today announced the recipients of the Florida Health Information Network (FHIN) grants. The grants, totaling more than $1.5 million, are designed to facilitate the adoption and use of privacy-protected electronic health records in Florida.
“Governor Bush has made a strong commitment to supporting the development of statewide electronic health records, while protecting the privacy of our residents,” said Lt. Governor Jennings. “A strong electronic health record system will improve health care for all Floridians by reducing medical errors, boosting efficiency and ultimately lowering costs. These grants, along with the Governor’s request for additional support, will make Florida a national leader in electronic medical record-keeping.”
In 2005, the Florida Legislature appropriated $1.5 million to fund the development of the Florida Health Information Network. This year, Governor Bush will request $5 million in recurring funding for additional grants to support the expansion of electronic health records, as well as a recommendation for two positions and an additional $200,000 to support the personnel to administer the grant program.
The FHIN grant program was developed by AHCA to facilitate the development of a statewide privacy-protected health information infrastructure network as recommended by the Governor’s Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board in its 2005 interim report to the Governor. The program provides seed money to develop regional health information exchanges and to encourage practitioners to become active users of electronic health records.
“Electronic health records are a vital part of the future of health care in our nation,” said AHCA Secretary Levine. “By embracing the concept and developing networks here in Florida, we’re making a long-term investment in the quality of health care for each and every Floridian.”
Grants provide funding for implementation, planning, and training and technical assistance. Planning and implementation projects are designed to promote health information exchanges among two or more competing provider organizations and to demonstrate the appropriate sharing of health information in the course of patient care. Training and technical assistance grants are awarded to projects to increase the number of practitioners using electronic health records and participating in information exchange. Project applications were competitively evaluated by the Advisory Board, which made recommendations to AHCA.
The grant recipients are:
Planning Grant
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Access Escambia, Inc., $150,000
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Central Florida Health Care Coalition, $108,864
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Health First, Inc., Brevard County, $44,789
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Health Foundation of South Florida, $127,924
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Pinellas County Health Department, $110,985
Implementation Grant
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Big Bend Regional Healthcare Information Organization, $246,850
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Health Care District of Palm Beach County, $250,000
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Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research and Education Foundation, $467,000
Training and Technical Assistance Grant
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care for all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $15 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 37 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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September 2, 2005
Governor Bush Appoints Peter D. Greaves to the Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
Tallahassee, FL – Governor Jeb Bush today announced the following appointment:
Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
- Peter D. Greaves, 42, of Lebanon, Tennessee, Senior Enterprise Architect with HCA, appointed for a term beginning August 16, 2005 and ending June 30, 2007.
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March 11, 2005
Agency for Health Care Administration, Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board Meets With Other States To Discuss The Future Of Electronic Medical Records
~U.S. Agency for Health Care Research and Quality attends, Florida seeks input on making electronic medial records a reality~
Tallahassee, FL – The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) today joined the Governor’s Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board (GHIIAB), the U.S. Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), and representatives from California, Utah, Tennessee and Massachusetts to exchange ideas and gather input on the development of a health information exchange network in Florida. The participants also discussed the development of a national coalition of states that will move toward commonality in their health information systems and develop model legislation that may be adopted by other states.
“Governor Bush has set Florida on a bold path that will lead to the empowerment of Florida’s consumers and vast improvements in the quality of health care they receive,” said AHCA Secretary Alan Levine, who was in attendance. “By drawing from the experience of our partners in other states who have developed health information exchange networks, we’ll ensure a smooth transition to electronic medical record keeping in Florida.”
The participants discussed the coordination of future efforts to communicate with federal lawmakers to address operational barriers and develop a blueprint other states may use to create their own networks. The AHRQ intends to create a toll-box from which other states starting electronic health initiatives can draw to get programs up and running.
“The information we’ve gathered today will go a long way toward helping Florida develop a viable plan for the creation of a health information exchange network among a diverse health care provider community,” said Michael Heekin.
The Governor’s Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board was created by Executive Order in May 2004, to advise and support AHCA in the development of a plan for a statewide health information exchange network. Since its formation, it has actively sought the advice of national experts, consumers and providers on possible approaches to developing a safe and secure health information infrastructure in Florida.
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $14 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 30 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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October 8, 2004
Governor's Health Advisory Board Recommends Bold Initiative To Bring Electronic Health Records To Floridians
~ Board charts course for health care information infrastructure in Florida ~
Tallahassee, FL – The Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board today took action to continue implementation of the health care reforms proposed by Governor Bush and passed by the 2004 Legislature. During a two-day workshop and meeting, the Advisory Board recommended Florida be a lead state in establishing community pilot initiatives to transition to an electronic records system. The Advisory Board will develop and recommend criteria for selection of communities and will also recommend a 24-month timetable for implementation and measurement of the pilot programs.
"The key to successful implementation of this initiative is to ensure protection of privacy while also creating an interoperable system where health care providers and their patients have immediate access to relevant patient information," said Michael Heekin, Chairman of the Advisory Council. "The Board plans to move very aggressively, and we look forward to making the Governor's vision a reality."
The two-day event commenced with Governor Bush outlining the importance of transforming health care in Florida and a presentation by Dr. David Brailer, President Bush's appointee as the first National Health Information Technology Coordinator.
Citing statistics that show 1 out of 7 hospital admissions could be deterred if emergency physicians had access to complete medical histories, Governor Bush charged the Board to "move boldly and challenge the way things have always been done."
Governor Bush created the Board by Executive Order as part of his plan to transform Florida's health care system. "Improving the quality of patient care and patient outcomes is key to improving Florida's health care system. Having the right technological infrastructure in place is the first step," said Governor Bush.
The next meeting of the Advisory Board is scheduled for Friday, November 19, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in Orlando and will include public input. For information on the Board, upcoming meetings and more, visit the Board's website at /dhit/index.shtml.
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $14 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 28 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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August 10, 2004
Medicaid Gives Physicians Tools to Enhance Patient Safety; Reduce Fraud
~Additional 2,000 hand-held PDA devices distributed to physicians~
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) announced today it is distributing an additional 2,000 hand-held personal data assistants (PDAs) to Medicaid physicians. This will increase the number of physicians using the PDAs to 3,000. The increased number of hand-held devices will enhance patient safety by providing real-time data, drive down medication costs by better utilization of prescriptions, and reduce fraud.
"This emerging technology does more than arm health care providers with a patient care system that improves outcomes, it also facilitates cost savings by reducing fraud and abuse within the Medicaid prescription drug program," said Governor Bush. "I applaud the Agency for finding such innovative partnerships that will improve services and help reduce costs."
The PDA accesses Medicaid’s preferred drug list, patient-specific prescription histories, Clinical Pharmacology© drug information, and drug interaction screening tools. The system provides a 60-day history of all Medicaid drugs dispensed to a specific patient regardless of prescriber, allowing physicians to better monitor all patient medications. This ensures Medicaid beneficiaries are receiving continuity of care and makes it easier to identify potential Medicaid fraud by those obtaining the same prescription from multiple physicians, also called “doctor shopping.”
“Physicians having immediate access to health information is a huge benefit in critical situations, such as in the emergency room,” said AHCA Secretary Alan Levine. “They can view patient information, verify medications, make sure there are no duplications, and even identify ‘doctor shoppers’ in a matter of minutes.”
In June 2003, AHCA partnered with Gold Standard Multimedia (GSM) to provide improved health care delivery through a wireless system. Since then, Medicaid has aggressively moved toward electronic prescribing as part of an ongoing effort to improve both the prescription drug benefit program and health outcomes for its beneficiaries.
“We recognized the importance of information technology to reduce the number of medication errors and improve health outcomes,” said Secretary Levine. “The Agency is providing an excellent model for bringing about positive change without adding excessive regulations.”
Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $14 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 25 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.
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JUNE 7, 2004
Governor Bush Appoints Twelve To The Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
Tallahassee, FL – "In an era when technological advances have Americans shopping online, space vehicles traveling to other planets, and real time information about virtually anything, it is time we focus our efforts to bring these innovations to health care. By working toward the day when every Floridian that wants one can have an electronic health record, we will bring improvements to the healthcare system unimaginable only a few years ago."
"But in order to make this vision a reality, we must have the support of the medical community. That is why I felt it important to include physicians on our Advisory Board, and pleased to have the support of the organized medical community."
Governor Jeb Bush today announced the following appointments:
Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board
- W. Michael Heekin, 51, of Atlanta, consultant, shall serve as chairman, for a term beginning May 4, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Robert G. Brooks, 50, of Tallahassee, Associate Dean for Health Affairs and professor of family and rural health with the Florida State University College of Medicine and former secretary of the Department of Health, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Rhonda M. Medows, 42, of Jacksonville, physician and former secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Linda E. Moody, 62, of Tampa, Distinguished Professor, Hughes Endowed Chair in Nursing Informatics at the University of South Florida Health Sciences Center, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Jennette W. Ekh, 50, of St. Augustine, group vice president of information technology and chief information officer with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Brian O. Coleman, 44, of Orlando, general dentist with the Omega Dental Group, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Kevin S. Kearns, 37, of Fort Myers, CFO/CIO with Health Choice Network, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- James S. "Sandy" Phillips, 45, of Miami, senior vice president and chief information officer with Jackson Health System, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Robert G. Reese, 49, of Miramar, chief information officer for the South Broward Hospital District, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Ronald R. Burns, 42, of Winter Park, osteopathic physician, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Raymond F. Caron, 52, of Orlando, pediatrician, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
- Carmen Aceves-Blumenthal, 49, pharmacist with McKesson Medication Management, for a term beginning June 7, 2004 and ending June 30, 2007.
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