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1,400 Healthcare Orgs Join CalHHS Data Exchange Framework

Healthcare organizations that have signed onto the CalHHS data exchange framework include 114 hospitals, 519 medical groups, and 72 community-based organizations.  

Over 1,400 organizations have joined the California Health and Human Services (CalHHS) Data Exchange Framework (DxF), the first-ever statewide data sharing agreement of its kind in California.

The data exchange framework is key to achieving the state’s plans for transforming healthcare, expanding coverage, and improving connections between healthcare and social services.

State law required many California entities to have signed the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) by January 31, 2023. Other health and social services organizations are expected to join these organizations in the coming weeks to meet their statutory obligations as established by AB-133.

So far, organizations that have signed the DSA include at least 114 hospitals, 519 medical groups and physician practices, 257 outpatient facilities and urgent care clinics, 75 healthcare service plans and disability insurers, and 72 community-based organizations.

“With over 1,400 organizations already joining the DxF, we’re well on our way to transforming healthcare in California,” Mark Ghaly, MD, MPH, CalHHS secretary, said in a press release. “The DxF will allow us to fill in gaps of understanding about individuals’ health and to target interventions aimed at addressing the social determinants of health.”

“Data exchange will be an essential part of the state’s efforts to equip providers and California health and social services with the information needed to address and understand health inequities and disparities, especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities,” Ghaly added.

By January 31, 2024, many health and social services entities must follow a common set of terms, conditions, and obligations outlined in shared Policies & Procedures (P&Ps) to fully implement the Data Exchange Framework.

Some entities, like physician practices with fewer than 25 physicians, acute psychiatric hospitals, and rural general acute care hospitals, will have until January 31, 2026 to fully implement the framework.

The state was awarded Educational Initiative Grants to associations to provide guidance on how entities can sign the DxF DSA if they have yet to do so.

These associations will continue to support healthcare entities in implementing the DxF through education and outreach throughout 2023, focusing on assisting signatories in under-resourced and underrepresented communities.

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