GaHIN's trusted network with existing health networks facilitates the delivery of the right health information to the right place at the right time. The result: safer, timelier and better care for Georgians.
But not all patients want to have their information shared. GaHIN has an opt-out patient consent model. That means that patient data is automatically indexed by GaHIN and that patients must explicitly request that their data not be shared.
An opt-out request must be made by the patient to their provider (rather than to GaHIN), and only one opt-out is needed to block record retrieval through GaHIN. If the patient wants to opt back in, they can also do that through their provider. GaHIN has an opt-out rate of just 0.0047%.
If you have a patient asking about opting out, it may help to remind them that:
- Having timely access to more complete and accurate information improves care coordination, supports better quality care, lowers costs and potentially reduces mistakes, especially in an emergency.
- Only authorized healthcare providers can access your records through GaHIN.
- If you opt-out of GaHIN, your providers will share information through other methods including fax and phone.
VA Model Changing
For community providers treating veterans, June 2019 will bring a new approach to data sharing. Rather than the current opt-in model, the VA plans to implement an informed opt-out model nationwide that is consistent with DoD. This change is expected to increase health information exchange rates and benefit veterans and their treating physicians.
GaHIN is connected to both the VA and DoD. Veterans can learn more about opting in and the upcoming changes to the consent model at
www.va.gov/VLER/.