The joint Health Information Exchange Initiative securely connects health and benefit information systems from the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal and private sector partners.

What is Joint HIE?

The joint HIE is a secure network that shares health information. For decades, the Military Health System has operated its own HIE that has shared our health information electronically between providers at military treatment facilities, VA facilities, and other federal and private sector partners. With the joint HIE, all health providers—whether at an MTF or from the TRICARE network—can securely access beneficiary records and health information electronically.

• View a List of eHealth Exchange Participating Providers
• View a List of CommonWell Health Alliance Providers
• View a List of Carequality Providers

By sharing health data through the eHealth Exchange, CommonWell Health Alliance, and Carequality, health care providers have a more complete view of a patient's health record. This can help the health care team make the best decisions.

Joint HIE Privacy and Security

The joint HIE allows MHS providers to securely access and share a patient's health information with authorized health partners. The joint HIE fully complies with the most rigorous privacy and security standards.

HIE Benefits Through Joint HIE

Access to a patient's medical history is very important to health care providers. By using the eHealth Exchange, CommonWell Health Alliance, and Carequality, DOD health care providers can have a more complete view of a patient's health record. This allows each patient and their health care team to make informed decisions for their health.

Through the eHealth Exchange, CommonWell Health Alliance, and Carequality, your health care providers can share information, such as:

• Prescriptions
• Allergies
• Illnesses
• Lab and radiology results
• Immunizations
• Past medical procedures
• Clinical notes

* To improve your care experience, health information may be shared as permitted by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with other authorized organizations who partner with the MHS. To enhance coordination among care teams, this includes notes written by your clinicians, which could contain information about sexual assault, domestic violence, child/elder abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Joint HIE and COVID-19

As providers scramble to provide treatment to United States' COVID-19 caseload, joint HIE provides an essential service medical professions depend upon. Joint HIE, and their partner HIEs, ensure that providers have access to a patient's complete medical record helping them identify pre-existing conditions, past treatments and other crucial information that help them make wise treatment decisions. This information is crucial in the fight against the pandemic and can help save lives.

The joint HIE benefit is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries. All beneficiaries except active duty service members may choose to opt out of the joint HIE.

• TRICARE eligibility and status will not change if a patient chooses not to participate.
• If a patient chooses to opt out of the joint HIE, the MHS may not be allowed to electronically share that patient's health care information through the eHealth Exchange and CommonWell Health Alliance, not even in cases of emergency.
• Civilian health care providers who participate in the eHealth Exchange and CommonWell Health Alliance may also require patients to complete an opt out or opt in request.

Choosing not to participate won't affect HIPAA-authorized DOD exchange of healthcare information, or the sharing of paper records with the VA. Learn More about how to opt out of the joint HIE.