WEDI offers free membership to government agencies

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by Health and Human Services (HHS). WEDI’s mission is to improve the use of health information technology to “enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency and to reduce costs of the American healthcare system.” The organization announced this week it will offer free membership to all government agencies and corresponding departments in an effort to advance progress and improvements in health information exchange.

Through this new program, government agencies will be able to participate in WEDI’s 40+ workgroups, public forums/policy advisory groups and the organization’s virtual events.

“Government agencies are a critical partner in our common goal to streamline healthcare information exchange in order to improve the overall efficiency and quality of the American healthcare system”, said Devin Jopp, Ed.D., President & CEO.  The free government agency membership will provide greater opportunities for the states to benefit from industry best practices and will offer them a greater voice in helping to shape the future of Health IT policy”.

Government agencies can learn more here.

On another note, WEDI is also hosting an upcoming virtual event this week on the HIPAA Omnibus that is free for members and non-members to attend.

Event: The Omnibus is Here! Survival Guide for the New Privacy & Security Regulations
Date and Time: Friday, February 15, 2013, 12:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern
Details: The Long Awaited HIPAA/HITECH Omnibus Rule is out! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released the final rule updating the privacy and security rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The changes expand many of the requirements to business associates of the entities that receive protected health information and strengthen the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Breach Notification requirements. This online event ffers an in-depth review of the revisions to Privacy and Security rules, including Enforcement and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). If you are a part of the health care industry it will no doubt affect your organization.

To attend you must complete a profile on the WEDI website. Learn more here.