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Interoperability and Patient Access

Connecting Your Healthcare

New Options For Managing Your Digital Medical Records

Starting in 2021, a new federal rule made it easier for Trillium Community Health Plan members* to manage their digital medical records.

The Interoperability and Patient Access rule (CMS-9115-F) makes it easier for members to get their health records when they need it most. You now have full access to your health records on your mobile device.  This allows you to manage your health better and know what resources are available to you.

Starting in 2022, the Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange portion of the rule* will allow former and current members to request that their health records go with them as they switch health plans. For more information about this rule, visit the Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange section found on this web page.

Imagine:

  • You go to a new healthcare provider because you don’t feel well and you can show that provider your health history from the past five years
  • The provider uses that information to diagnose you and you quickly find the right specialist by checking an up-to-date provider directory
  • You have a question about a claim, so you go to your computer or mobile device and, in minutes, you see if it’s paid, denied, or still being processed
  • You can take your health history with you as you switch health plans

THE NEW RULE MAKES IT SO YOU CAN EASILY FIND INFORMATION** ON:

  • claims (paid and denied)                    
  • healthcare providers
  • pharmacy directory data***
  • specific parts of your clinical information

  • Patient Demographics
    • first name
    • last name
    • previous name
    • middle name
    • suffix
    • birth sex
    • date of birth
    • race
    • ethnicity
    • preferred language
  • Allergies & Intolerances
    • substances (medications)
    • substances (drug class)
    • reaction
  • New Demographics
    • current address
    • previous address
    • phone number
    • phone number type
    • email address
  • Health Concerns
  • Immunizations
  • Procedures
  • Medications
  • Laboratory Tests & Results
  • Assessment & Treatment Plan
  • Care Team Members

 

* Applies to Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care, and federally-funded ACA exchange plans

** Data will be available for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2016; data for Payer-to-Payer only covers clinical data.

*** For Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans

Having your health information in one place may help you and your providers:

  • Understand your health better
  • Make better decisions
  • Improve your health outcomes
  • Reduce healthcare costs
  • Carry information to new providers or health plans

At Trillium Community Health Plan, your privacy and the security of your PHI is a top concern to us. The new rule allows you to use an application (app) from a third-party application developer (a company with no connection to Trillium Community Health Plan). You can use this app to look up your health information. When choosing an app, it is important to consider how your data can be used and the app’s security and privacy practices.

The CARIN Alliance is working to advance the exchange of health information. We will request third-party application developers to agree to follow certain privacy standards outlined in the CARIN Code of Conduc t. The CARIN Code of Conduct is a set of practices that these applications have voluntarily adopted to protect and secure your health information. Visit Currently Connected Applications link for a list of applications available to connect to your health records. We will give you information on federal agencies you can contact if you feel your rights to patient privacy have not been protected. Learn more about the CARIN Alliance.


Before sharing your data with a third- party application, we will ask you to agree to a Consent to Request Your Health Data statement. This is an added security step to protect your data.

1.  Find an app. Visit the Currently Connected Applications link for a list of applications available to connect with your health records.

By agreeing to the CARIN Code of Conduct, the app developer attests it meets certain standard security practices. These practices include, but are not limited to:

  • Protection of a user’s personal data against:
    • loss or unauthorized access
    • use
    • alteration
    • destruction
    • unauthorized annotation
    • disclosure
  • Protect personal data through a combination of mechanisms including:
    • secure storage
    • encryption of digital records both in transit and at rest
    • data-use agreements and contractual obligations
    • accountability measures (e.g., access controls, logs and independent audits)
  • Comply with applicable breach notification laws
  • Provide meaningful remedies to address security breaches or other violations due to a misuse of the user’s personal data
  • Adopt internal policies and secure contractual commitments with third parties to prohibit the re-identification of de-identified or anonymized data

2.  Download the app. Smartphone apps shown on the Currently Connected Applications link are available through the Google Play Store (Android) and the App Store (iOS). Web apps are also available for computers.

3.  Create your account. Use the app to do so.

  • To link your health information, choose your health plan
  • On the login screen, if your health plan does not have a member portal or you have never created a username and password, use the “Create New Account” to do so
  • After creating your account, then return to the login screen and enter your username (email) and password
  • Read the Consent to Request Data statement. If you agree to the terms, click "Request Data"

4.  Use your information to manage your healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I find the right Third-Party app?
A: Read our Frequently Asked Questions or call us at 1-877-600-5472 (TTY/TDD: 711).

Q: How does Payer-to-Payer data exchange work for both current and former members? 
A: Members may request that Trillium Community Health Plan send health records to other health plans. They can also request that Trillium Community Health Plan receive health records from other health plans.  If a member switches health plans, Trillium Community Health Plan will send their clinical records (included in the USCDI data set) to another health plan. This is in order to build a complete health record. A complete health record will help a member make decisions that improve their quality of care and health outcomes.

Former members of Trillium Community Health Plan should start the request through their new health plan.  Based on this request, Trillium Community Health Plan will send the clinical records to their new health plan.

Current members of Trillium Community Health Plan may start the request by logging into the Trillium Community Health Plan secure member portal.  There they can request and receive the clinical records from their previous health plan.

Q: How does the new Interoperability and Patient Access Rule affect me?
A: To learn more, call Trillium Community Health Plan at 1-877-600-5472 (TTY/TDD: 711).

Q: How many years will my health information go back?
A: You will have access to health information with a date of service of January 1, 2016 or later.

Q: Can I access my health information if I go to a different health plan or provider?
A; Yes. You will be able to access your health information no matter what health plan or provider you go to.

Q; Can I find out if I’m up to date on my immunizations?
A: Yes.  You can use an app to see what shots you’ve had with a date of service January 1, 2016 or later.

Q: Do I have to use an app from Trillium Community Health Plan?
A: No.  The app does not have to be affiliated with Trillium Community Health Plan. Visit the Currently Connected Applications link for a list of applications currently available to connect with your health records. Follow the instructions on the app to connect it with your health records. 

Q: Will all apps keep my health information private?
A: Not every app has agreed to meet the CARIN Code of Conduct or any other set of guidelines. We will let you know which apps have agreed to follow our privacy guidelines. You will have a chance to select another app if you selected the app before they shared their privacy practices with us.

We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app.  Read it carefully before using that app. If the app does not provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices, we suggest that you choose another app. Visit the My Health Application website for a list of apps that agree to follow the CARIN Code of Conduct.

Q: When can I have access to my health information in the app?
A: You will be able to access your health plan information in the apps starting on July 1, 2021.

Q: Do I have to use an app to get my health information?
A: No. You do not have to use an app to access your health information. You can contact your provider or health plan for information.

Q: What health data will the app collect?
A: It depends on the app you choose. Some apps will collect your health data.  This includes (but is not limited to):

  • claims
  • medications
  • diagnoses
  • procedures
  • doctor visits

You give the app permission to collect your health information when you sign up for it.  The app’s Notice of Privacy Practices should tell you what information it collects.

Q: Will the app collect non-health data from my device, such as my location?
A: The app's Notice of Privacy Practices should tell you what information it collects.  Apps do have the ability to collect non-health data, such as your location. Some apps give you the option to provide that information. We suggest that you ask your app provider.

Q: Does sharing my data with this app have an impact on my family members?
A: If a family member is linked to your health account, there is a chance that their health information will be shared.

Q: How do I correct mistakes in my health data?
A: You will need to contact your provider or health plan.  The app only makes data available from healthcare sources. The app does not create this data.

Q: What are my rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
A: We suggest that you ask the app provider for their Notice of Privacy Practices.

Most apps will not be covered by HIPAA.  They will instead be covered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the protections provided by the FTC Act. The FTC Act protects against deceptive acts.  For example, if an app shares personal data without permission.  This is even though the privacy policy says it will not do so.

For more information:

Q: What are my rights when it comes to my data collected on this app?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider to understand your rights.

Q: What should I do if my data has been shared, stolen, or improperly used?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider.  This is so that you can understand how they respond to a privacy and security incident. You have the right to file a complaint with enforcement agencies including the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Most apps will not be covered by HIPAA. They will instead be covered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the protections provided by the FTC Act. The FTC Act protects against deceptive acts.  For example, if an app shares personal data without permission.  This is even though the privacy policy says it will not do so.

For more information:

Q: How will the app use my data?
A: The purpose of the app is for you to see your health data in one place.  We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices to understand how the app will use your data.

Q: Can the app share my data with third parties?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider to understand if the app will share your data with third parties

Q: Does the app delete my data after I stop using it?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider.  This is so that you can understand what happens to your data after you stop using the app.

Q: How do I stop sharing my data?
A: The best way to stop sharing data is through the app or by contacting the app’s support. If this doesn’t work, call Trillium Community Health Plan member services.

Q: Will this app sell my data for advertising or research?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider.  This is so you can understand if the app will share your data with third parties for advertising or research.

Q: How does this app collect and respond to user complaints?
A: App providers may respond to complaints in different ways. We suggest that you ask your app provider this question.

Q: Will my data be stored in a de-identified or anonymized form?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider.  This is so you can understand how the app stores your data.

Q: What security measures does this app use to protect my data? Will they inform me if an incident occurs?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices and additional information on security practices from the app provider.  This is so you can understand how they handle a security incident.

Q: How can I limit this app’s use and release of my data?
A: We suggest that you request a Notice of Privacy Practices from the app provider.  This is so you can understand how to limit the use and release of your data.

For Developers