On March 18, 2024, NextGen Healthcare passed the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) synthetic data testing requirements for UDS+ FHIR API submission. We are delighted to announce that Kinston Community Health Center, Inc., an OSIS UDS Client, has become the first NextGen Healthcare client to successfully submit production small universe data to HRSA under UDS+ Cohort 1. As OSIS supports UDS Modernization efforts, we are excited to share that Sacopee Valley Health Center, an OSIS Member, was the first health center to submit a full universe file to HRSA using NextGen Healthcare technology.
HRSA continues to advance the UDS Modernization movement for reporting. Cohort 1 testing and submission ended March 31, 2024. Cohort 2 testing and submissions will begin in May and end June 30, 2024. HRSA continues to leave decisions regarding assisting individual health centers at the vendor’s discretion. To participate in optional data submission for 2024 reporting, a health center will need to either ensure their selected vendor has successfully passed synthetic data testing or complete required synthetic testing with their capabilities of transmission. HRSA announced in February 2024, that the plan for the 2025 reporting season is to continue to submit data via your EHB account, with a minimum submission of UDS+ (FHIR API) data also required. HRSA has not shared the final details at the current time of the elements that will be submitted with UDS+ technology.
OSIS recommends you consider participating in Cohort 2 based on the current timeframe of returning all necessary information to HRSA for optional data submission. If your practice is interested in participating in Cohort 2, you must submit interest on the BPHC Contact Form under the Uniform Data Systems topic by selecting “UDS+ Onboarding”. This will require you to indicate your mode of transmission by selecting one of the approved vendors or indicating you are submitting through your technology that has passed synthetic testing with HRSA. As of 4/4/24, the vendors listed in the selection field are Azara, eClinicalWorks LLC, i2i, Relevant Healthcare, and NextGen Healthcare. Vendors are added to the list by HRSA once they successfully pass synthetic data testing requirements.
OSIS remains in close contact with NextGen, HRSA, and ONC for updates related to the UDS+ Modernization project. Rebecca Rudd, Director of Government Affairs, serves as the UTC Region 1 resource for the country and is actively involved with the UTC Steering Committee.
During the last UDS+ Synthetic Testing Office Hours meeting, HRSA shared that they have added a new requirement for vendors and health centers to submit their data. An infrastructure diagram will need to be provided to HRSA so they can understand and justify external connections to their system. The diagram should focus on the exchange of UDS+ data with HRSA, not the internal configuration of your system. Protocols for encryption of data for transit and exchange are to be included in the document.
Submit a ticket via the BPHC Contact Form to:
- Join the UDS Test Cooperative
- Access the UDS+ Health Center Program Community
- Participate in a readiness assessment to discuss UDS+ submissions use cases
- Learn more about the UDS+ FHIR Implementation Guide
How can your health center prepare now for UDS+ requirements? We encourage your team to review workflows to ensure discrete data collection is occurring. Remember UDS+ relies on standardized terminology and classification systems, such as ICD-10, CPT, NDC, and LOINC codes, to provide data in a digestible format. OSIS works alongside health centers to meet their annual reporting requirements. We take pride in our Quality team and the valuable support they provide to our Members. To find out more about how we support our Members and Clients with HRSA UDS submissions and other regulatory programs, contact us today!
