Fraser Trebilcock attorneys Edward Castellani and Michael James recently represented Michigan’s largest Health Information Exchange (“HIE”) in a merger with another HIE. The merger resulted in the formation of the State’s largest HIEs and one of the largest in the United States.
Over the past few years, there has been an increased use of electronic medical records instead of printed paper medical records. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, health care providers were required to begin using electronic medical records or face a series of penalties. In addition, the Affordable Care Act has promoted and incentivized health care providers to work together to provide efficient and effective medicine, as well as develop best practices for the delivery of care. HIEs are an important part of the continued development of integrated health care under the Affordable Care Act so that health care providers can have critical access to the information needed to enhance patient care. As the use and volume of electronic medical records continue to grow, HIEs will provide the infrastructure for health care providers to communicate with each other and advance the practice of medicine in the State of Michigan.
Edward Castellani is an attorney and certified public accountant specializing in the Business and Tax Department of Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C. He can be reached at ecastellani@fraserlawfirm.com or 517-377-0845.