About UHIN
Utah Health Information Network (UHIN) - An Electronic Commerce Coalition
Since 1993, UHIN members have come together for the common goal of reducing health care costs and improving the quality of care through the use of electronic data interchange (EDI), that is, by exchanging information electronically rather than by phone, fax or surface mail. The Utah Health Information Network (UHIN) is a broad-based coalition of Utah health care insurers, providers, and other interested parties, including the Utah State government.
UHIN - A Private, Secure Electronic Postal Service
Perhaps the best way to explain what UHIN does is to compare the network to the postal system. UHIN moves electronic ‘mail’, typically health care claims, remittance advice, eligibility inquires, and other administrative messages. UHIN operates as a centralized, secure network (private post office) through which health care transactions pass in Utah. Users can securely send and receive ‘mail’. Also, like the Post Office, UHIN does not store data or files.
Not-For-Profit
Like sending regular mail, it costs money to run the network. UHIN does charge for its services. However, UHIN is a State not-for-profit company, so it only charges enough member fees to cover the costs of running the network. The result is that costs to users are usually far less than the costs of subscribing to a for-profit health care clearinghouse.
UHIN Covers the State
UHIN currently serves all the hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, national laboratories and approximately 90% of the medical providers in Utah. Because we are a community organization we focus on creating solutions that work for the entire healthcare community from the large integrated networks to the smallest one doctor office.
UHIN Message Format Standards
UHIN is a consensus based coalition that exchanges standardized messages. That means that all parties exchange data in a standard format using standard codes. UHIN members use nationally accepted transaction formats and codes that are agreed upon by the Utah health care community. This allows all the users to utilize the same codes and formats which in turn reduces costs for everyone. This not only allows for administrative costs savings, it also opens the door to improving patient care and safety.
