Rural healthcare initiative with utah POP: 7/19/10-7/18/11

The office of Rural Health, CHA has selected Utah Health Information Network (UHIN) to participate in a pilot program which will establish and exhibit VA's focus to rural and highly rural veteran populations; assess and anticipate the current and future health care needs of rural veterans; address solutions that may be adapted for use by, or have value for, all VA medical centers (VAMC) and emphasize collaborations with other VHA medical centers and public and private entitles.



This contract will focus on the VHA's Rural Health initiative that will have a broader impact on both the access to Veteran's heath information and the quality of care provided to Veterans that are physically located in geographic rural areas. An estimated 75-80% of VA patients under age 65 and 80% of VA patients over age 65 receive health care services outside of the VA. Veterans in rural areas receive care from non-VA providers at the high end of this range. Currently there is little or no exchange of Veterans health information between VA and non-VA providers caring for these Veterans in rural Utah.



This pilot will take provide an innovative solution to the problem of limited or absent Electronic Medical Record (EMR) availability and interoperability with the VA's information systems.



This contract period of performance is 7/19/2010-7/18/2011.



This is a sole source award using the authority of 41 USC 253(c) (1) and FAR 6.302-1