Assistance program
Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) Cooperative Agreement
$4.2 Million committed in FY2020–FY2025
- Agency
- Immed Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Health and Human Services, Department of
- Assistance
- Not Applicable
- CFDA number
- 93.347
- What it does
- The purpose of this program is to support efforts to advance the establishment of an interoperable health system that (1) empowers individuals to use their electronic health information to the fullest extent (2) enables providers and communities to deliver smarter, safer, and more efficient care, and (3) promotes innovation at all levels. The Draft Trusted Exchange Framework, released on January 5, 2018, advances the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) to advance nationwide interoperability by creating a common set of principles, terms, and conditions that facilitate trust between health information networks (HINs). The Draft Trusted Exchange Framework contains two parts: Part A—Principles for Trusted Exchange and Part B—Minimum Required Terms and Conditions for Trusted Exchange. Part A provides guard rails and general principles that HINs and Qualified HINs should follow to engender trust amongst Participants and End Users. Part B provides specific minimum required terms and conditions to be included into a single Common Agreement by a RCE. ONC will review comments received on Part A and Part B to develop a final Trusted Exchange Framework that the RCE would assist in implementing. Part B of the Draft Trusted Exchange Framework is not intended to be an all-encompassing participation agreement, but rather includes provisions to address identified areas of variation across existing network agreements. This funding opportunity announcement seeks to identify a single RCE that will – in collaboration with ONC – incorporate the final Part B requirements into a single Common Agreement to which Qualified HINs and their Participants may voluntarily agree to adhere. Development of a single, all-encompassing agreement that is nationwide in scope will significantly reduce the need for one-off or point-to-point interfaces, which are costly, complex to create and maintain, and an inefficient use of provider and health IT developer resources.