Two Health Information Organizations Will Merge

NEW YORK — Southern Tier Healthlink (STHL) and Taconic Health Information Network and Community (THINC) are planning to merge into a health information network across the state of New York.

The organizations are combining into what will be called HealthlinkNY. The collaboration will span 11 counties across the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Southern Tier, offering electronic access to statewide health information for participating providers and patients in the region.

The new network will be classified as a Qualified Health IT Entity (or QE). The network will consolidate and maintain patients’ electronic health records from participating health care organizations and provider practices in the region. HealthlinkNY will provide a single, central platform that will allow a health care provider to view a patient’s complete medical record rather than relying on transfer requests, faxes or phone calls. The new network aims to enable more efficient care coordination, reduce duplication of medical testing and cut health care costs.

“This merger will harness our individual strengths and combine them to transform and improve health care from the Southern Tier through the Hudson Valley,” said Christina Galanis, executive director of Southern Tier HealthLink, in a statement. “We are excited to consolidate our efforts and services with THINC to expand our technical and analytical expertise in both regions, support emerging population health reform, and operate more efficiently.”

The merger is happening as the state is beginning to interconnect QEs as part of the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY), a network that will help enable the exchange of electronic health records across the entire state. New York is the first large state to create a public utility network on this scale, and it is supported by funding included in the governor’s budget from earlier in the year.

SHIN-NY was created to help doctors and patients with instant access to electronic health records. The state is also investing in other health care projects, including the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP) and Population Health Improvement Program.

“New Yorkers will see their health care improve as a direct result of this important union between THINC and STHL,” said Susan Stuard, executive director of Taconic Health Information Network and Community. “By joining forces, we will be able broaden our current services for patients and doctors, and expand our policy work.”

HealthlinkNY will be monitored by a 20-person board.