Minnesota places great emphasis on the adoption of health information technology throughout various health programs within the state.  Many of the state’s laws make use of health information technology as a way to better coordinate care and provide high quality care.  The law requires all hospitals and providers to have an interoperable electronic health record system in place by January 1, 2015.  The law imposes several requirements on an acceptable electronic health record system, such as the inclusion of a patient’s demographic and clinical health information, the ability to provide clinical decision support, capturing relevant information on health care quality, and exchanging health information.1  In addition, the state has established the Minnesota Center for Health Care Electronic Data Interchange as a public-private effort to advance the use of statewide health information exchange.2

        In order to further encourage the adoption and use of electronic health records, the state has established an account that is dedicated to finance the purchase of electronic health records (EHRs), training personnel on EHRs, and improving the exchange of health information.  The funds may be loaned to various entities, including federally qualified health centers, community clinics, non profit hospitals, individual or group physician practices, nursing facilities, or local public health departments.3   The state also provides grants to eligible E-Health Collaboratives for the implementation and use of interoperable electronic health records.  Grants can be made to community health clinics, regional or community health information exchanges, or local boards of health.4  In addition, the law requires all providers, group purchasers, prescribers/pharmacists, and dispensers to have established and maintain an electronic prescription drug program by January 1, 2011.5

            Minnesota also imposes certain requirements of users of electronic health records in medical assistance programs.  These requirements include verifying electronic signatures, ensuring that records can be copied, assuring access to the Department of Human Services, and ensuring that the records are secure.6  Nursing homes that use health information technology must ensure secure access to their systems and have adequate safeguards in place to protect the confidentiality and security of the information.7

            In order to further facilitate information flow electronically, the state of Minnesota allows entities to provide health information exchange services with a certificate of authority.  The certificate of authority has its own set of requirements for the entity’s health information exchange, including interoperability, privacy and security standards, and compliance with meaningful use standards.8  The law provides patients with a remedy of compensatory damages plus costs and attorney’s fees for the release of patient information through a health information exchange if a patient has chosen not to be included.9  The law also allows the Department of Health, Department of Human Services and the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to electronically exchange data on providers and individuals collected by an agency for quality management of providers, quality reporting on providers, improve patient enrollment in programs, and to establish and maintain provider eligibility for medical assistance programs.10