It's a method to share electronic medical information or "health facts" securely between doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers when it's needed for a patient's care.
It's your health facts including your health history that are kept in a computer. We can use the electronic health information exchange to send your health facts right to your doctor's office computers. The electronic health information exchange we'll use is called the South Carolina Health Information Exchange or SCHIEx.
Your "health facts" means your Protected Health Information (PHI). Your PHI is information that identifies you, like your name and date of birth. PHI is also information about your health kept in your health care records.
You probably go to more than one doctor for your health care. Sometimes it's important for your doctors to know about other care you're getting.
Your health care providers already share your health facts for treatment, payment, or operations (TPO) through methods such as mailing or faxing. The SCHIEx will make this process more effective.
The SCHIEx lets your doctors see the electronic health facts that are listed in your health care record. They won't have to wait for paper copies. While you're in their office, your doctor can see:
Wherever you get care, doctors can see your health facts over a secure Internet site. BUT, the public can't see them. Federal and state laws require all doctors and other health providers to keep your health facts private.
When you get health care, your doctor turns in a "health claim" to your insurance company. It shows the health problem(s) you were treated for and the date you got care. Most of the facts in your electronic health record come from these paid health claims.
Information may come from existing electronic records from your hospital, laboratory, pharmacy, or doctor's office. Your doctor or hospital may choose to share these electronic records in the SCHIEx so that other doctors will have a more complete medical history.
Some health facts, like prescriptions, will be added right away. But, it may take several weeks for other kinds of health facts to be added.
And not all of your health facts will be listed in this electronic health record. Your paper health records at your doctors' offices may have other health facts. So, it's important that you talk with all of your doctors about your health facts.
Providers participating in the SCHIEx will only allow people that have been authorized to see your health information. Before doctors or other health providers can be authorized to see your health facts they must:
Your health facts can't be seen by:
No. Your health facts are a part of the SCHIEx. If, however, you would prefer not to share your health facts, you must opt out.
It means you can decide not to show your medical health facts in the South Carolina Health Information Exchange, also called "SCHIEx". This is called opt out.
Health providers won't be able to see your medical health facts:
While participation in the SCHIEx may improve your care, it is completely voluntary and you will continue to receive health care from your providers if you decide to opt out.
To opt out, you must call the Resource Center at 1-888-549-0820 to inform SC Medicaid that is what you would like to do. You will be asked for identifying information such as your Medicaid identification number or your social security number to verify your identity. After that information is verified, your health information will be removed from the SCHIEx.
To opt out, you just inform your provider that is what you would like to do and you will need to sign a form stating your decision. You will be asked for identifying information such as your insurance identification number or your social security number to verify your identity. After that information is verified, your health information will be removed from the SCHIEx.
Medicaid recipients calling the Resource Center are opted out immediately.
LRHN recipients are opted out in no more than 15 business days.
Yes. You can change your mind and decide to "Opt In" and share your medical health facts. To opt in, if you are in Medicaid, simply call the Resource Center at 1-888-549-0820 and tell them you would like to opt back into SCHIEx. If you are in the LRHN you just inform your provider that is what you would like to do and sign a form stating your decision. You will be asked for your insurance card number or social security number to verify your identity. After that information is verified, a request will be submitted to add your information back to the SCHIEx. Once you have opted out and then opt back in, health facts about the care you received during the period of time you had opted out will be included in SCHIEx.
No. The record will say you have decided not to show your medical health facts.
Sure. You can send in the opt out form, or call the Resource Center, at any time in the future, and your information will be deleted from the system.