What is Interoperability?

Interoperability is the secure, electronic exchange of health information between you, your health care providers, and your health plan.
To better serve you, federal mandates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) require Denver Health Medical Plan (DHMP) to make it easier to share that information electronically. 

We are committed to meeting these standards because we know that when your health data is securely available at the point of care, it improves care coordination, reduces delays and empowers you and your doctors to make more informed treatment decisions.

What You Need to Know About Managing Your Data Sharing Choices

Denver Health Medical Plan is committed to protecting your privacy while ensuring your health information is ready when you need it. Under the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization rule, we are creating more efficient and secure ways for your health information to move between health plans and your providers to improve your care. 

Now your information will be shared more quickly and safely between your health plans and your doctors. This way, your doctors have the information they need to provide your care without unnecessary delays. It also means your health plan has a more complete picture of your health history, which helps us better serve you. You remain in control of your data, ensuring your information is only shared based on your personal preferences.

You decide how your health information is shared. Denver Health Medical Plan has partnered with Edifecs to create a simple way for you to manage your choices under the CMS Interoperability Rule. Using our secure DHMP/Edifecs Consent Management Portal, you can share or stop sharing your health records in two specific ways: 

  • Share information with your health plan
    To share information from your previous health plan with DHMP, you must actively provide consent. Without your choice to share, DHMP will not be able to securely receive your health information from your previous plan. 
    Sharing your health history allows DHMP to proactively help you manage your conditions and coordinate your care more effectively. If you choose not to share this information, it is more difficult for us to see the full picture of your health needs, which may limit our ability to provide that level of support.
  • Share information with your providers
    Sharing information with your providers is automatic, which allows them to see your complete health history and provide the best care possible. You always have the right to choose to "opt-out" of this sharing if you prefer. 

Please note: Once you choose to share your information, that data is securely transferred. While you can update or stop sharing your information at any time, these changes apply only to future data sharing. Information that has already been shared cannot be retrieved or "undone." 

If you change your mind, you can update or change your data sharing choices at any time through the DHMP/Edifecs Consent Management Portal. You can choose to start or stop sharing your records whenever you like. Your choices are honored immediately, ensuring your records are handled exactly as you request.

If you feel your privacy choices were not followed or if a technical issue prevented your request from being processed, you have the right to use our formal complaints and appeals process. 

Managing your data sharing is simple. You can view or change your preferences at any time through our secure member portal.

  1. Access the Portal
    Log into the secure DHMP/Edifecs Consent Management Portal. Once logged in, you will be directed to our data sharing dashboard.
  2. Review Your Status
    You will see a clear view of your current sharing status for both your health plan and your providers.
  3. Update Your Choices
    • Your Health Plan: 
      You may choose to provide consent for your previous health plan to share your health records with DHMP. Please note that once you provide this consent and the information is received by DHMP, this is a one-time transfer of your existing history.
    • Your Providers: 
      Sharing is automatic, but you may choose to stop sharing or share your health information with your providers at any time. Please note this is an "all-or-nothing" choice; selecting "Stop Sharing" will pause the sharing of your health history with all your providers at once.
  4. Confirm
    Select ‘Save ‘ to confirm your choices. You will receive a confirmation once your updates are processed. 

There are Digital Tools That May Help You Stay on Top of Your Care
In compliance with federal interoperability standards, Denver Health Medical Plan (DHMP) has developed the Patient Access API, which allows you to download your health information to the health data application of your choice. Once you have connected your account, you can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to review your health claims, including treatment history, prescriptions, and prior authorization requests. These tools are designed to help you organize your records in one place, making it easier to share your health history with specialists or new providers whenever you choose to switch care.

You are in Control of Your Health Data 
You are in control. The health data we maintain is yours, and you have the right to download it for your own purposes. By choosing to download your DHMP records to an app, you are authorizing that app to access the data we maintain for you. Once you download your data, you are responsible for the security of it.

Be Careful When Choosing Apps 
While we provide the technical connection, DHMP does not endorse or certify any third-party app. Because these apps are not part of our secure system, it is important to take an active role in your own digital safety:

  • Understand the Risks: Once you download your data to an app, it moves outside of our secure environment. DHMP is no longer responsible for the security or privacy of your data once it is in the hands of the third-party application.
  • Read the Policy: Always read the app’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service carefully before you hit "connect." Know how they will use, share, or sell your data, and how to stop the app from accessing your health information if you no longer wish to use it.
  • Choose Wisely: Only share your data with applications you fully trust.
     

What Remains Protected
DHMP continues to protect the health records we hold within our own systems. We only share your information with our trusted business partners when necessary for managing your care, and our standard privacy policy remains in effect for all information held by us.

Your Right to Disconnect 
You are always in control. You have the right to stop sharing your health information with an app at any time. If you decide an app is no longer right for you, you can stop using it whenever you choose. Please note that you are responsible for managing the app and any health data you have already downloaded to your device, including removing the app or deleting your data from your electronic device.
 

If you feel your data has been breached or an app has used your data inappropriately, you may file a complaint:

You may also file complaints with:

Your choice to use a third-party app is entirely voluntary. DHMP does not endorse or recommend any particular app and is not responsible for how third-party apps collect, use, store or disclose your information.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Health Plan Services at 303-602-2100.