SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #85: NEW LEGISLATION EXTENDS CONNECTION DATE TO STATE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE – NC HEALTHCONNEX

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Recovery Act (North Carolina Session Law 2020-3) was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on May 4, 2020. Section 3E.1.(a) of the Act addresses the connection requirement to the state-designated HIE Network – NC HealthConnex. All providers required to connect and submit data by June 1, 2020, according to House Bill 70/Session Law 2019-23, have been granted an extension and shall begin submitting demographic and clinical data by Oct. 1, 2021.

In addition, all providers who have shown a good faith effort to connect to NC HealthConnex and have a valid participation agreement on file will also have a connection deadline of Oct. 1, 2021. This extension of time will allow the large queue of health care providers who are in active onboarding to complete the connection process. Connecting to NC HealthConnex can take up 12 months, depending on your EHR software.

No further action is required of providers who have a signed participation agreement on file. The NC HealthConnex technical team will reach out when technical discussions are to begin with your practice.

Please email HIEA@nc.gov with any questions.