Delaware health info sharing project gets millions

The Delaware Health Information Network will get $4.6 million for its effort to help doctors, hospitals and other providers share patient information more efficiently.

The Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) will get $4.6 million in federal stimulus grants to help doctors and hospitals in the state share information electronically.

The money is part of $750 million dollars in federal funds spent nationwide on developing systems to better share medical information.  Delaware’s network is one of only three groups that will use the money for implementation instead of planning.  That’s because DIHN has been in the works since first being proposed in 1997 under then-Governor Tom Carper. 

Carper says, “This funding will support our economy and create jobs, as it is part of a larger effort to train health care workers in the 21st century, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy.”

Over the next few years, the money will be used in part to improve claims processing and eligibility verification for both Medicaid and private payers.  It will also allow doctors to electronically order outpatient procedures with providers including physical therapy and radiology.