ONC announces funding to test health IT interoperability standards

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology yesterday announced $1.5 million in funding to test selected clinical interoperability standards for health IT in priority areas, such as medication management, laboratory data exchange and care coordination. Applicants must use “best available” standards, implementation guides and emerging alternatives identified in the 2016 Interoperability Standards Advisory. Letters of intent to apply are due June 10, and applications are due July 8. ONC expects to fund three to seven High Impact Pilot projects ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, and three to five Standards Exploration Award projects ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. For more information, ONC will host a May 23 webinar on the HIP funding and a May 26 webinar on the SEA funding.