Microsoft Tech Connects HHS Agencies

HDM Breaking News, June 12, 2008

 

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp. has unveiled its work on a multi-vendor initiative designed to connect U.S. Health and Human Services agencies using disparate information systems. The vendor announced its progress on the Connected Health and Human Services Framework at the Government Health I.T. Conference & Exhibition this week in Washington.

The initiative began about three years ago after Microsoft invited various vendors to help overhaul HHS agency information systems by developing a framework that creates consumer-centered scenarios of information that all agency caseworkers can access. The resulting applications have been built on the Microsoft .NET platform and are being implemented at HHS agencies across the United States. Microsoft has funded the development of the framework, and its vendor partners ultimately will sell their applications that run on it to HHS agencies.

Vendor partners include:

*ACS, which developed a health information exchange;
*Avande, which developed a single-sign-on system;
*CGI, which developed a child welfare information system;
*EDS, which developed a service oriented architecture-based claims and administrative system for Medicaid management;
*ESRI, which developed a disease surveillance system and a public heath data and emergency management information system;
*Harmony Information Systems, which developed a client-oriented database of case and financial management data;
*IDV Solutions, which developed an interactive data analysis system;
*MidTech Partners, which offered technology integration services;
*Netsmart Technologies, which developed an integrated system that enables behavioral and public health care providers to share information, as well as a patient portal interface;
*Nets to Ladders, which developed a Medicaid benefits enrollment network;
*NWN Corp., which offered integration and roadmap services;
*Plexis Healthcare Systems, which offered benefits administration systems;
*Saber Government Solutions, which developed child care and child support enforcement systems;
*Unisys, which developed a Medicaid management information system; and
*VisionWare Ltd., which developed data sharing technologies.

Microsoft is looking for additional vendor partners to add services and applications to its Connected Health and Human Services Framework. For more information, go to microsoft.com.

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:

• Health Information Exchange
• Policies/Regulation
• Systems Integration
• Hospitals
• Group Practices
• Payers