Patient FAQs
What is a health information exchange?
Who is HealtHIE Nevada?
How does the HIE benefit me?
What health information will be shared?
Who can see my health information?
How is my health information shared?
Do I have a choice about participating?
How can I opt in?
What about Medicaid patients and consent?
How is my privacy protected?
What is a health information exchange?
A health information exchange (HIE) allows doctors, hospitals, labs and other health care providers to access and securely share patient information electronically, improving the speed, quality, safety and cost of care.
Who is HealtHIE Nevada?
HealtHIE Nevada is a nonprofit company that is privately owned. It maintains the only health information exchange in the state of Nevada. HealtHIE Nevada is managed by HealthInsight, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and health care in the region.
How does the HIE benefit me?
Your medical care team needs your health information to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Here is how the HIE can benefit you:
- Each member of your team may have a piece of your medical history. The HIE offers a more comprehensive look at care that has already been provided.
- As your information becomes available, the HIE will quickly send data to participating doctors.
- If you are unable to answer questions, the medical care team will have information they can use to continue treatment in emergent situations.
- The HIE is safe and secure and can only be seen by the people who are caring for you.
- Tests will be repeated less often.
- Your records will still be safe and available if there is an emergency or natural disaster.
What health information will be shared?
- Lab results, X-rays, clinical reports and other information.
- Medication and immunization history.
- All information in your record will be shared, including sensitive information.
Who can see my health information?
Only doctors, hospitals, laboratories, radiologists and pharmacies that are members of the HIE can see your information. It is used only to diagnose and treat your medical problems.
How is my health information shared?
Without the HIE, your health information is shared by telephone, fax, mail or via limited computer networks. These methods can slow down decisions on your care.
Do I have a choice about participating?
Yes. You have the right to say yes or no to participation.There are three choices on the consent form:
- I CONSENT: If you make this choice, you will be giving permission for all members of the HIE that are a part of your medical care team to see your medical history.
- I CONSENT ONLY IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY: If you make this choice, your medical care team will not be able to view your information unless it is an emergency. An emergency is a case when there is an immediate risk to your health, such as extreme illnesses, broken bones, unconsciousness, and sudden or extreme pain.
- I DO NOT CONSENT: If you make this choice, your doctor will still have access to your records at his office. However, your medical care team will not be able to share your information with each other through the HIE.
How can I opt in?
You may opt in and participate in the HIE by signing up at your participating provider or clinic.
What about Medicaid patients and consent?
Nevada law requires that recipients of Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) automatically be opted in. If at any time you leave the Nevada Medicaid program, you can then choose to change your consent.
How is my privacy protected?
HealtHIE Nevada and its participants use measures that are physical, technical and administrative to protect patient health information. Written policies and procedures, regulated by federal and state privacy laws, are in place to control access to patient information through the HIE. All participants must agree to follow these policies and procedures.Participants may have additional safety measures in place.