What is TEFCASM

Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCASM)

  • The 21st Century Cures Act called on the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT to create and support a Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA).
  • TEFCA outlines a common set of technical and legal requirements to simplify and enable nationwide exchange of healthcare data.
  • A central component of TECFA is operationalizing Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINsTM) to serve as centralized exchange partners in a network-of-networks approach.
  • The Sequoia Project was selected to be the Recognized Coordinating EntityTM (RCE®), which is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining TEFCA with the ONC.

Provider Benefits

Designated QHINs will securely exchange health data with other QHINs. Connecting to TEFCA will enable providers with the ability to send, receive and query for standardized electronic health information from a wide range of participants nationwide, which is expected to help participating providers:

  • Improve care
  • Provide patients with access to their health records
  • Improve care coordination
  • Deliver data for value-based care, care management and population health
  • Reduce the need to participate in multiple exchanges
  • Relieve the burden of public health reporting
  • Support emergency preparedness and response
  • Increase confidence in data received from other providers

QHIN Designation

  • QHINs undergo a rigorous application, onboarding and testing process before being designated by the RCE. The process ensures all QHINs are highly reliable and secure central nodes that support a network-of-networks approach.
  • KONZA is one of the first five QHINs that were designated on December 12, 2023 in Washington, D.C. as part of the TEFCA go-live event. The Designated QHINs were recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm, the National Coordinator for Health IT Micky Tripathi and other federal leaders for willingly adhering to and meeting the rigorous eligibility criteria, stipulations and conditions required for participation in TEFCA.
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