Automated Personal Health Records (PHR) Prototype System

MARKET RESEARCH- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The Social Security Administration (SSA) is conducting market research to identify possible contractor sources to assist SSA in developing a fully automated Personal Health Records (PHR) prototype system that would allow SSA electronic access to information contained in claimants personal health records. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for proposal. This is a request for information only. Background The Social Security Administration (SSA) receives and processes applications for disability benefits from over 2.5 million individuals. A claimant seeking disability benefits is required to complete an application form that requests information about the claimant's medical history, such as a list of medical providers, current medications, and any tests and procedures that may have been completed. SSA assists claimants throughout this process, often acting on a claimant's behalf with authorization, to secure medical information in support of the application. Since the application form often requires a significant amount of information, claimants may spend excessive time with claims representatives on the telephone, in person, or on the internet trying to remember details about their medical history. However, most of the information requested in the application form can be obtained from personal health records utilized in the health industry today. SSA believes that it may be able to make the disability application process more efficient and accurate by utilizing a system that electronically obtains information contained in claimants personal health records once SSA provides the authorization it receives from the claimants. Requirement SSA is interested in developing a prototype of a fully automated system that would allow SSA electronic access to information contained in claimants personal health records once SSA provides authorizations to release that information it receives from claimants. The PHR prototype would require prior authorization from claimant to release information to SSA electronically in Continuity of Care Format. This system would use the standards that the Health Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) approved for other purposes, and apply those standards to the process of obtaining data from the PHR. The prototype will also need to provide the technical process for electronically transmitting authorizations to release medical information between a PHR and third party entities, such as SSA, based on the approach demonstrated in the Nationwide Health Information Network effort and the medical evidence gathering and analysis prototype with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Please note that SSA is not a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In addition, SSA is not a covered entity for purposes of Treatment, Payment and Healthcare Operations. SSA can only request and receive information contained in the claimants personal health records if the claimant has authorized disclosure of this information to SSA. Vendors Responses SSA is seeking responses from PHR Software Vendors, Health Information Technology Software Service Vendors, Providers, and Payer Organizations that host personal health records of individuals. Interest parties shall submit a brief description of their area of interest and their capabilities associated with the subject matter of this notice. In addition, SSA specifically requests that interested parties include PHR data regarding longevity, planned growth, market share, number of participants, demographics of the members, standards and interoperability capabilities, types and format of information. Information supplied in reply to this notice will not constitute a proposal or an offer for services. No information submitted in response to this notice will be return to the supplier. Information submitted will be at no cost to the Government. Information submitted in response to this notice shall be provided in electronic format to the following e-mail address: Valerie.Jones@ssa.gov no later than December 11, 2008