Digital Age MD

Section 1561 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.A. 111-148 (PPAC), requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services develop secure interoperable standards and protocols for electronic enrollment of individuals in federal and state health and human services programs. The enrollment standards and protocols are to be developed in consultation with the HIT Policy Committee and the HIT Standards Committee within 180 days of the law’s enactment (i.e., by September 19, 2010).

The enrollment standards and protocols are to allow electronic matching against existing federal and state data, including vital records, employment history, and tax records. Individuals should be able to apply, recertify and manage eligibility information online, including at points of service. The standards will also provide for notification of eligibility, recertification and other communication with individuals via email and cellular phones.

Grants will be available to state and local governments to develop technology systems for implementation of the HIT enrollment standards and protocols.