UHIN Supports Statewide Effort to Improve Chronic Kidney Disease Detection and Care in Utah.
The Utah Health Information Network (UHIN) is collaborating with Comagine Health, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the One Utah Health Collaborative to relaunch the Utah Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Coalition. The coalition is focused on improving early detection and management of CKD across the state, using data to inform and support its strategies.
UHIN’s Utah Clinical Health Information Exchange (CHIE) is being used to help develop an alert system that will notify primary care providers when lab results suggest CKD but no diagnosis has been recorded. This alert system is designed to help improve follow-up and diagnosis rates—addressing the reality that 50% of individuals screened for CKD currently do not receive a formal diagnosis or follow-up care.
Additionally, UHIN is evaluating aggregate health data to support early intervention strategies based on methodologies from the National Kidney Foundation. The coalition is exploring the potential for DHHS grant funding to support the implementation of these strategies if data and provider interest support it.
The broader initiative also includes supporting local health districts and clinics in their CKD care efforts and expanding awareness and education around treatment options for end-stage renal disease, such as home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
UHIN’s involvement is centered on providing the data and tools needed to help health care partners make earlier, more informed decisions in CKD care.
UHIN has played a pivotal role in a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project aiming to track the burden, distribution, and impact of Post-COVID conditions (PCC) in Utah. This initiative, detailed in a study published in BMC Public Health, leverages electronic health records (EHRs) and data from The CHIE (Clinical Health Information Exchange) to identify and analyze cases of PCC, commonly known as long COVID. Researchers aim to understand the prevalence, demographic distribution, and healthcare utilization patterns associated with PCC.
The study provides insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and highlights the importance of continuous surveillance to address the ongoing health challenges posed by the pandemic.
UHIN, as the only HIE in Utah, was an important contributor to this research. Since 1993, we have been committed to reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of care through secure electronic data interchange. Our extensive network connects healthcare insurers, physicians, hospitals, laboratories, local health departments, and state agencies, enabling seamless data sharing across the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
In this project, UHIN provided a limited dataset including PCC cases and patient trajectories over time. By providing a limited dataset, UHIN was able to support the project, as allowed under HIPAA, while maintaining patient privacy and data integrity.
Collaborative Approach
A collaborative approach fostered partnerships among various healthcare entities, facilitating the aggregation of diverse data sets. Partners in this work are BeyondHIE, Indiana University, Boise State University, the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization (Bronx RHIO) and Comagine Health (our affiliate partner). This inclusivity enabled a more comprehensive understanding of PCC, as data from different sources provided a holistic view of patient experiences and outcomes. UHIN’s commitment to interoperability and data standardization was key to harmonizing information from multiple providers, ensuring consistency and reliability in the study’s findings.
In Conclusion
The success of this project underscores UHIN’s vital role in national health initiatives. By serving as a central hub for health information exchange, UHIN not only supports clinical care but also empowers research efforts that address pressing health concerns. Our infrastructure and expertise in data management are assets in the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and its long-term effects.
Our involvement in this PCC surveillance project adheres to our mission to enhance healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and inclusiveness. By providing the tools and frameworks necessary for comprehensive data analysis, we are proud to continue to contribute significantly to public health research and the improvement of patient care.
We’re thrilled to share highlights from last year and our early successes in this new year as we work to shape the future of healthcare IT. Keep reading for our 2024 year end recap, Ryan McLelland’s recent participation in Civitas’ FHIR webinar, driving progress with the One Utah Health Collaborative, and making a positive impact for our customers, partners, and community in 2025.
Unwrap an exciting year all in one infographic. We announced our affiliation with Comagine Health and launched the new CHIE portal. We re-invested 100% of our net income to enhance our products and services and achieved a remarkable 95% customer satisfaction rate.
Our Clearinghouse solution processed 329 million transactions, while the CHIE supported 33 of 36 short-term acute care hospitals in Utah, and delivered over 18 million ADT alerts. Click below and unwrap even more from 2024.
Did you miss any of our blog posts from last year? Head to the UHIN blog for valuable insights and perspectives on a variety of topics, like FHIR, cybersecurity, the power of resilient healthcare technology systems, Health Data Utilities, the ideal clearinghouse for providers, virtual payer panel recaps, and more!
We’re proud to be a member of the One Utah Health Collaborative’s Stakeholder Community Board, which includes other notable stakeholders from across the state. Together, we’re driving alignment and progress toward advancing the Utah Model of Care and the 2025 strategic priorities to commit, plan, and act.
We will attended the X12 Winter Standing Meeting in Philadelphia, PA from February 2-6.
We will sponsor the Aspen Grove Provider Fair in Orem, UT on February 7.
Our offices will be closed on February 17 for President’s Day.
Trainings and Webinars
Ryan McLelland on the FHIR Deep Dive Webinar
CIVITAS invited our CTO, Ryan McLelland, to participate in their “FHIR Deep Dive Series” earlier this month. He shared our exciting progress on a state-wide pilot program to create cohesive FHIR-based ecosystems in Utah supported by Da Vinci Trebuchet and eHealth Exchange. Click below to watch!
Comagine Health & CMS Partnership to Strengthen Healthcare for AIAN Communities
Congratulations to our affiliate partner, Comagine Health, for their continued partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in advancing the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Quality Improvement (QI) Program. The newly awarded contract builds upon previous CMS-funded work with Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals and providers in 261 facilities within IHS, tribally managed health care facilities, Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) and CMS-designated nursing homes across the nation.
2024 was a year of reinvestment, growth, and impactful partnerships for UHIN. We dedicated 100% of our net income to enhancing the products and services on which our clients rely, achieving a remarkable 95% customer satisfaction rate. Our Clearinghouse solution processed 329 million transactions, while the CHIE supported 33 of 36 short-term acute care hospitals in Utah, and delivered over 18 million ADT alerts. Key milestones included our affiliation with Comagine Health to drive actionable health insights and the launch of a modernized CHIE portal built on the HL7 FHIR standard for improved data sharing (Learn more about the CHIE portal experience here).
As we reflect on 2024’s successes, we are energized to take on 2025, poised for even greater growth and impact in healthcare.
As the end of the year approaches, we’d like to thank you for being a valued partner in advancing healthcare connectivity. Please keep scrolling for dates that our Customer Support will be closed during the holidays.
In this newsletter: Explore the transformative potential of Health Data Utilities (HDUs), contribute to the draft HDU Framework Supplement, watch the final Virtual Payer Panel of the year, catch up on Ryan McLelland at the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting, and share your ideas for this newsletter. We wish you a happy and healthy season ahead!
With the holiday season surrounding us with warmth and reflection, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude. At UHIN, we deeply care about our customers, our community, and our colleagues. We’re honored to partner with you in advancing healthcare connectivity. From all of us at UHIN, we wish you a season filled with joy, peace, and togetherness.
UHIN’s Customer Support will be closed on the following days:
Tuesday, December 24th
Wednesday, December 25th
Wednesday, January 1st
From the UHIN Blog
What is a Health Data Utility​​​​​
Health Data Utilities (HDUs) are the next phase for Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), with the goal of utilizing data for purposes beyond basic patient lookup, such as quality improvement, population health, and research. In this post, Navina Forsythe (Chief Data & Privacy Officer) details how HDUs can combine clinical data with other sources like claims and social determinants of health to create comprehensive datasets and foster whole-person care. She also explains the necessary conditions for establishing a HDU, including shared vision, political will, stakeholder participation, legal frameworks, data privacy and security, and funding.
Call for Public Comment: HDU Framework Supplement Version 1
Civitas Networks for Health invites public comment on the draft HDU Framework Supplement Version 1, which outlines critical updates to the existing Health Data Utility Framework. This supplement highlights actionable strategies for advancing health data governance, interoperability, and equity across states and regions. The comment deadline is January 31, 2025.
Ryan McLelland, UHIN’s CIO, participated on the “The “007” of the CMS-0057 Prior Authorization Rule Requiring FHIR” panel at the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting in Nashville on December 10th.
Trainings and Webinars
Final Virtual Payer Panel of 2024
We hosted our final payer panel of the year with Korey Marsh and Lisa Varley of DMBA who shared important information about new medical plans rolling out on January 1st and answered questions about prior authorization, coding, and more. Thank you to Korey, Lisa, and everyone who participated!
Top Questions and Answers from the Virtual Payer Panel with Korey Marsh and Lisa Varley (both of DMBA)
In our final virtual payer panel in 2024, DMBA representatives Korey Marsh,  Manager of Network Strategy and Provider Relations, and Lisa Varley, Director of Configuration, shared key updates for providers. Highlights included an overview of DMBA’s provider portal, which offers tools for pre-authorizations, claims searches, and remittance tracking, with plans for expanded functionality. DMBA also announced the rollout of four new medical plans, including PPO and HSA options, set to replace their existing plans in 2025. Additionally, DMBA addressed questions on coding and coverage, emphasizing their commitment to clarity and support for the provider community.
In this post, let’s dive into three of the top questions, insights, and announcements shared during the session, offering clarity on new health plans, coding, coverage, and other important topics.
1. DMBA’s Provider Portal Enhancements
DMBA has introduced a provider portal with functionalities like pre-authorizations, claim searches, and remittance features. The portal has been live for a year, and additional features will be rolled out over time. Providers can register through DMBA’s website or contact customer service for assistance.
DMBA is retiring its existing four commercial medical plans and introducing four new ones (two PPO and two HSA plans). Providers are advised to review participants’ new ID cards starting next year for updated plan details, including coinsurance and copay structures. The two HSA plans do not have co pays and have certain nuances.
DMBA clarified coverage details for various medical services and billing codes, such as ABA therapy (requires pre-authorization), transitional care management (covered), and select telehealth codes (accepted if recognized by AMA/CPT). Prolonged visit codes, such as 99417, require additional review.
It’s been a busy and rewarding month! We connected with our CHIE customers, sharing valuable insights and updates on the new portal experience. We proudly took part in recognizing the Utah Model of Care as a member of the One Utah Health Collaborative’s Stakeholder Community Board. On top of that, we posted the top five takeaways from our virtual payer panel, attended the Texas Association of Health Plans conference, and shared that Brian Chin will assume the role of Chief Product Officer at Comagine Health, in addition to his position as CEO of UHIN.Â
The new CHIE portal is live, offering a more modern user interface to access your patients’ longitudinal health records. We’ve created several methods to set you up for success.
CHIE portal users can watch engaging videos that walk you through the new portal features and powerful new tools, and how to log-in through MYUHIN.
Additionally, users can dive deeper into our comprehensive user guide which breaks down every feature step-by-step.
Prioritizing a System that is “Affordable, High-Quality and Built on Trust”
The One Utah Health Collaborative announced the adoption of the Utah Model of Care at the Capitol in late October. The model, developed through statewide collaboration, represents a significant step toward creating a healthcare system that is affordable, high-quality, and trusted for all Utahns. UHIN is proud to be part of the Stakeholder Community Board working with the One Utah Health Collaborative on the Utah Model of Care!
Top Questions and Answers from the Virtual Payer Panel​​​
Dive into five of the top questions and insights shared during the webinar with Lori Weber (Noridian Healthcare Solutions) and Melissa Shoemaker (Select Health), offering clarity on telehealth billing, claims processing, EDI recertification preparation and other essential topics.
We attended the Texas Covered Health Care Conference + Expo Event in Austin, TX from November 4-6.
UHIN will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th. We’re thankful for our customers, colleagues, community and partners!
Please note: UHIN Customer Support Holiday Schedule
The UHIN Customer Support call center will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th. All regular support issues will be addressed on Monday, December 2nd.
Our on-call team will actively monitor the system to ensure connectivity remains stable. If you have an issue, please contact us through the standard support channels by emailing customersupport@uhin.org. These will be addressed in accordance with our off-hours support policies.
Trainings and Webinars
Watch the CHIE Portal Overview VideoÂ
The new platform offers a more modern user interface to access your patients’ longitudinal health records. Learn more about the updated experience in our demo video, including the new dashboard, cards, patient summary, customer support, and future enhancements.
Brian Chin tapped as Comagine Health’s Chief Product Officer
Comagine Health recently announced that Brian Chin will take on the role of their Chief Product Officer, while continuing to serve as CEO of UHIN. In his expanded role, Mr. Chin will lead the development and execution of Comagine Health’s product and technology roadmap, driving their commitment to providing high-quality solutions that meet the changing needs of the clients and the communities they support.
Top Questions and Answers from the Virtual Payer Panel with Lori Weber (Noridian Healthcare Solutions) and Melissa Shoemaker (Select Health)
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare billing, staying up-to-date is essential for providers and billing services. In our Virtual Payer Panel, attendees asked questions for two longtime UHIN customers and health plan representatives: Lori Weber, Education Representative for Part B Provider Education at Noridian Healthcare Solutions, and Melissa Shoemaker, Senior Network Engagement Representative at Select Health. Over the course of the webinar, both Lori and Melissa addressed key updates and fielded questions from caregivers of all types.
In this post, let’s dive into five of the top questions and insights shared during the session, offering clarity on telehealth billing, claims processing, EDI recertification preparation and other essential topics.
1. Key Updates on Telehealth Billing
Q: What are the latest updates on POS codes and modifiers for telehealth services? Are there anticipated changes for 2025?
For 2024, providers should use POS 2 for telehealth services provided outside the home and POS 10 for those conducted in the home, eliminating the need for telehealth-specific modifiers. Updates for 2025 will be available after the final rule is released. Providers are encouraged to monitor payer websites for the latest resources, including telehealth pages and webinar archives.
Claims processed with POS 10 will now be reimbursed at the same rate as in-office visits. Adjustments for previously underpaid claims will appear in remittances within 45-60 days.
Q: Can you provide guidance on POS 02, POS 10, and exceptions?
For telehealth services:
POS 10 is used when the patient is at home, while POS 02 applies when the patient is outside their home.
Modifiers are generally not required, but if included, they won’t cause claim denials. However, they may affect reimbursement rates.
Exceptions:
Outpatient therapy services (e.g., physical, occupational, or speech therapy): Use the specific POS 11 (office) as if the patient were seen onsite, and append modifier 95.
Outpatient hospital clinicians: When services are provided to patients at home, use POS 22 (on-campus) or POS 19 (off-campus) with modifier 95.
These guidelines will be detailed in the final documentation.
2. Coverage and Claims Processing for Vaccines and Shots
Q: Is the 90611 JYNNEOS vaccine covered by Medicare Part B?
Yes, Medicare covers the JYNNEOS vaccine for smallpox and MPOX. Billing guidance is available through on-demand webinars that detail the appropriate processes.
Q: What actions are being taken to address flu shot claim denials for certain age groups?
Select Health has identified and is correcting a system error causing flu shot claim denials. Affected claims are being reprocessed automatically. To avoid similar issues, ensure the use of age-appropriate codes and confirm the patient’s Medicare beneficiary status when applicable.
Q: Should 90471 and 90472 still be used for non payable immunizations?
These codes apply to non payable immunizations like tetanus given after an injury. However, for flu and other vaccines, Medicare requires specific G codes for administration. Upcoming webinars will provide further clarification on these requirements.
Q: What steps are involved in the annual EDI recertification process?
Starting in November, providers will be required to verify their trading partner IDs, NPIs, and address consistency across key systems. Email notifications will be sent when recertification is due, ensuring a smooth process for those with up-to-date records.
Q: Is there anywhere online that we can check when the patient had their last preventative visit?
Payers typically allow one preventative billed each year at either 365 days from the previous visit or one in a calendar year.
Lori recommended using the Noridian Medicare portal to track patient preventative visits, ensuring services are billed within covered timelines. Lori emphasized that not all preventative services are annual, with intervals depending on risk levels (e.g., colonoscopies every 5-10 years).
For pediatric visits, Melissa suggested leveraging Select Health’s portal to check service histories beyond the clinic’s records. If more detailed data is needed, she offered to connect attendees with specialized reps for further assistance.
This Virtual Payer Panel highlighted significant updates in healthcare billing, including telehealth billing adjustments, coverage and claims processing for vaccines and shots, the EDI recertification process, and preventative services and eligibility checks. Caregivers are encouraged to leverage available resources from health plans, such as webinars and support services, to stay informed and adapt to these changes effectively.
UHIN will continue to host virtual payer panels with representatives from different health plans throughout the year. Subscribe to the UHIN newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed of upcoming virtual payer panels.
Happy Halloween! This month, we moved to the new CHIE portal, hosted portal webinars and Q&As (one more coming up!), hosted a virtual payer panel with panelists from Select Health and Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, attended the CIVITAS Annual Conference, and posted about the ideal clearinghouse solution for large healthcare providers on our blog.Â
We moved to our new CHIE portal experience on Wednesday, October 30. The new portal offers a more modern user experience, including a new Patient Summary page and cards for allergies, encounters, immunizations, and more. Users will also be able to download a CCD and look back to specific periods of time, among other features.Â
Interested in learning more about the new CHIE portal experience? We’ve created several methods to set you up for success. You can explore its features and functionality in the following ways:
1. Watch the portal video on YouTube 🎥 Check out our engaging video that walks you through the portal’s layout and highlights some of the powerful new tools available. Perfect for when you need a high-level overview!
2. Review the portal user guide 📖 For those who prefer to dive deeper, our comprehensive user guide breaks down every feature step-by-step. Think of it as your go-to resource for answers to your questions.
3. Attend Our Webinars đź“… We’re hosting a live webinar next week, where we’ll answer your questions in real time. Join us on Monday for an interactive session – and come with questions!
CHIEÂ Webinar: New Portal Questions and Answers Monday, November 4, 2024Â | 12 p.m. MT Click to register
From the UHIN Blog
The Ideal Clearinghouse Solution for Large Providers
A robust claim management solution covers all of your needs: consolidates all payer connections into a single, reliable network, reduces administrative costs and labor, improves cash flow, delivers real-time eligibility, and supports EDI enrollment. Read this month’s blog post about the benefits the UHIN Clearinghouse delivers for large healthcare providers.Â
​We attended the Civitas Annual Conference in Detroit, MI from October 15-17.
November 4-6: Texas Covered Health Care Conference + Expo Event in Austin, TX.
We will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.
Trainings and Webinars
Virtual Payer Panel
On Tuesday, October 29, we hosted a virtual payer panel with Melissa Shoemaker (Sr Network Engagement Representative Provider Development, Select Health) and Lori Weber (Education Representative II-Part B Provider Education, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC). Our panelists answered questions and shared updates ranging from enrollment to coding, and from prior authorization to EDI recertification.Â
Watch the recording on our YouTube channel and look out for future payer panels coming soon!
Comagine Health, our affiliate partner, recently shared a link to this informative guide (by Katelyn Jetelina) on vaccines for all three fall respiratory viruses: flu, RSV, and Covid-19. Take a look and be in the know!
Managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) processes can be complex for large healthcare providers: Maintaining reliable connections, ensuring seamless claim submissions, accurately tracking remittances, verifying eligibility, and handling EDI transactions across multiple payers. These are burdensome without the right clearinghouse partner. That’s where our comprehensive clearinghouse solution and support team steps in.
Why Large Providers Need a Reliable Clearinghouse
Large healthcare providers deal with high volumes of claims and remittances, making efficient EDI management essential. Medical administrative transaction volume increased by 11% to 55 Billion transactions in 2022 (per CAQH). Handling mountains of transactions makes the need for automation that much more apparent.
A robust claim management solution consolidates all payer connections into a single, reliable network, reduces administrative costs and labor, improves cash flow, delivers real-time eligibility, and supports EDI enrollment.
1. Access to an Extensive Payer Network
We pride ourselves on having one of the most comprehensive payer networks available. Without reliable payer coverage, even a minor disruption can lead to significant revenue cycle issues. That’s why verifying your connections upfront is vital.
Setting up payer connections and managing your claim volume across the network can be overwhelming and complicated. Using a clearinghouse, like UHIN, lifts the burden by handling the vast, dynamic relationships with payers and trading partners for you. Our clearinghouse connects with thousands of payers nationwide, ensuring that you have the necessary reach to keep your operations running smoothly. You can further simplify your connections with payers by integrating the UHIN Clearinghouse into your current Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Practice Management system (PM), making communications and claim management that much easier in your preferred workflow.
We encourage you to check out our payer list to verify if we have the connections you require. With our national EDI network, you can be confident that your claims will reach their destination without a hitch, reducing delays and improving your cash flow.
2. Real Cost Savings
Switching to our clearinghouse solution could lead to substantial savings for your organization. We offer usage-based pricing that ensures you only pay for what you use, with no long-term contracts or hidden fees that are common with others. We earn your business every day.
Because we’re a non-profit, we provide competitive rates and exemplary support. We’re a mission-driven company focused on the improvement of care and costs. Private and public companies that operate clearinghouses tend to focus on their own costs and revenue first, then their customers. We invite you to explore our pricing options and see how much you could save by making the switch today. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your EDI management, maximize payments, and reduce costs at the same time.
$1 Billion in Cost Savings Opportunity Annually for the Medical & Dental Industries Combined by transitioning to fully electronic administrative transactions
Working with a clearinghouse that focuses on connectivity and modern EDI practices improves cash flow by streamlining critical processes, such as eligibility checks and claim submissions. Maintaining connections with payers enables consistent reimbursement and offloads risk if other networks are compromised.
In addition, automating claim management systems reduces errors, accelerates claim approvals, and minimizes claim denials. This supports consistent payments and allows caregivers to focus on delivering quality patient care, contributing to sustained financial health.
4. Dedicated EDI Enrollment Support
In order to submit claims electronically to payers, providers must first complete EDI enrollment. Getting started with a new clearinghouse can be daunting, but our team of EDI enrollment specialists (all based in the U.S.) are here to help. They are ready and waiting to assist providers with enrollment, ensuring a smooth transition.
EDI enrollment is vital to your success as claim management moves further into the fully electronic era. Enrollment enhances efficient communication with payers, enabling providers to submit claims and get paid faster. Our specialists provide personalized support to establish your connections quickly, so you can start experiencing the benefits of our services right away. With our team by your side, you’ll have the support you need to easily make the change.
5. Verifying Patient Eligibility
Electronic patient eligibility verification improves patient payment by allowing providers to check insurance eligibility easily before treatment. This results in reduced manual work for staff, less mistakes, and fewer denied claims. Providers can collect more co-pays or coinsurance upfront using electronic patient eligibility verification. Leveraging a software solution also ensures that the data being transmitted is accurate, and can be processed quickly and in real-time in many cases.
Real-time patient eligibility verification ensures that all patient information is correct right from the start and has long-term effects. Accurately verifying patient eligibility before treatment ensures that submitted medical claims align with insurance policies and patient coverages. Effective verification processes directly lead to fewer claims rejections and more approvals. Streamlining this process leads to reduced administrative burden, and expedites payments by not having to reprocess rejected claims.
Key Benefits for Large Providers
Our clearinghouse service offers several critical benefits tailored to the needs of large healthcare providers. By partnering with us, you can expect:
Extensive payer network that ensures you have the necessary reach to keep your operations running smoothly.
Cost savings with automation and a non-profit clearinghouse model focused on your success.
Improved cash flow through faster automated claim processing and fewer rejections.
Simplified EDI enrollment supported by a team of EDI enrollment specialists ready to help you.
Real-time patient eligibility verification that reduces delays and improves patient satisfaction.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to take the next step, visit our National EDI Network solutions page for more details on the benefits of working with UHIN. Next, check out our payer list and review our pricing options. Then, see how easy it is to start with our dedicated EDI Enrollment team.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help streamline your EDI processes and support your organization’s growth.