WEDI Partners with EHNAC and DirectTrust.org to Accelerate the Adoption of Direct Health Information Exchange

Partnership strengthens accreditation program for HISPs, CAs and RAs to ensure privacy, security and trust in health information exchange

RESTON, Va., December 02, 2013 — The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), a leading authority on the use of Health IT to improve healthcare information exchange, is partnering with the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit, standards development organization and accrediting body, and DirectTrust to promote and accelerate the adoption of a national accreditation program for health information “trusted agent” service providers.

In 2012, EHNAC and DirectTrust launched the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program (DTAAP), to recognize excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirm compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations. Designed for health information service providers (HISPs), certificate authorities (CAs) and registration authorities (RAs), the accreditation program assesses an organization’s compliance with Direct protocols and guidelines for management of patient data security, privacy, and confidentiality. The Accreditation initiative was launched in the wake of mandates to support electronic health records, health information exchanges, and programs such as Meaningful Use, which drive interoperability and data sharing among healthcare stakeholders.

WEDI is partnering with EHNAC and DirectTrust.org to expand support and adoption of the Direct accreditation initiative and further drive and define data sharing standards and security protocols. This initiative will further support Stage 2 Meaningful Use transitions of care and patient engagement for secure and encrypted healthcare data and information exchanges. This strategic partnership will also help increase awareness of the value of Direct exchange to providers, patients and the healthcare community as a secure, electronic form of communication.

“WEDI looks forward to collaborating with EHNAC and DirectTrust.org to raise awareness for health information exchange and educate the healthcare community in preparation for compliance with the Direct Project in early 2014,” explained Devin Jopp, WEDI president and CEO.

“Since the launch of the Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program in 2012 and its subsequent endorsement by the ONC, we have been very encouraged by the positive response from healthcare stakeholders looking to ensure the privacy, security and trust of their information exchange,” says Lee Barrett, executive director, EHNAC. “EHNAC and DirectTrust are pleased to partner with such a well-respected institution as WEDI, and call on their expertise to help us to continue this momentum.”

More information on the Direct Project can be found here: Direct Project

About WEDI

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is the leading authority on the use of Health IT to improve healthcare information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s healthcare system.  WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was designated in the 1996 HIPAA legislation as an advisor to HHS. WEDI’s membership includes a broad coalition of organizations, including: hospitals, providers, health plans, vendors, government agencies, consumers, not-for-profit organizations, and standards bodies.  To learn more, visit https://www.wedi.org, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About EHNAC

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is a voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO) established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange health care data. These entities include e-prescribing and EPCS solution providers, electronic health networks, financial services firms, health information exchanges, health information service providers, medical billers, third-party administrators, management service organizations, outsourced service providers, payers and vendors.

EHNAC was founded in 1993 and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Guided by peer evaluation, the EHNAC accreditation process promotes quality service, innovation, cooperation and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit https://www.ehnac.org, contact info(at)ehnac(dot)org, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About DirectTrust

DirectTrust.org, Inc. is a non-profit, competitively neutral, self-regulatory entity created by and for participants in the Direct community, including HISPs, CAs and RAs, doctors, patients, and vendors, and supports both provider-to-provider as well as patient-to-provider Direct exchange. The goal of DirectTrust.org is to develop, promote and, as necessary, help enforce the rules and best practices necessary to maintain security and trust within the Direct community, consistent with the HITECH Act and the governance rules for the NwHIN established by ONC.DirectTrust.org is committed to fostering widespread public confidence in the Direct exchange of health information. To learn more, visit https://www.directtrust.org.