MarketW atch The Value Of Health Care Information Exchange And Interoperability

Abstract

In this paper we assess the value of electronic health care information ex- change and interoperability (HIEI) between providers (hospitals and medical group prac- tices) and independent laboratories, radiology centers, pharmacies, payers, public health departments, and other providers. We have created an HIEI taxonomy and combined pub- lished evidence with expert opinion in a cost-benefit model. Fully standardized HIEI could yield a net value of $77.8 billion per year once fully implemented. Nonstandardized HIEI of- fers smaller positive financial returns. The clinical impact of HIEI for which quantitative esti- mates cannot yet be made would likely add further value. A compelling business case ex- ists for national implementation of fully standardized HIEI.