
Patient Identification
As exchange of health data becomes more commonplace, the accurate, efficient matching of patients with their medical record data is a foundational component to interoperability and is a major threat to patient safety. One of the most significant challenges inhibiting the safe and secure electronic exchange of health information is the lack of a consistent patient identification strategy. As our healthcare system moves toward nationwide health information exchange, this essential core functionality – consistency in patient identification – remains conspicuously absent.
The ban established by Congress under the appropriations process since FY1999 prohibits any federal funding from being used to implement a patient identifier. Despite recent steps taken by lawmakers as a result of CHIME advocacy, the ban remains in place. June 29, 2020 CHIME and five other organizations launched the Patient ID Now Coalition to continue advocating on policies related to accurate patient identification and matching, and to continue urging lawmakers to remove the appropriations ban.
CHIME Top Recommendations to Policymakers
- Congress should remove the ban rooted in the Labor-HHS appropriations language in place since FY1999 that prohibits HHS from promulgating or adopting any final standard for the assignment of a unique health identifier for an individual
- HHS should support private sector-led efforts to locate a solution to patient identification and provide technical support
Legislative Briefs
Letters to the Administration
- Letter from CHIME to ONC on Patient Matching (September 4, 2020)
- Letter from 69 Industry Stakeholders to Senate Appropriators Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (June 3, 2020)
- Letter from 69 Industry Stakeholders to House Appropriators Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (June 3, 2020)
- CHIME Joins Stakeholders in Calling on CMS Administrator Verma to Explore CMS’ Authority to Address Patient Identification (December 2019)
- CHIME Comment Letter to HHS on Healthcare Sector Innovation and Investment Workgroup RFI (Jul 2018)
- Letter to NCVHS requesting hearing on patient identification and matching (Apr 2017)
Congressional Letters & Testimony
- CHIME Letter to Senator Alexander on Preparing for the Next Pandemic (June 2020)
- CHIME Letter to Chairman Shelby Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (March 13, 2020)
- CHIME Letter to Chairman DeLauro Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (Feb. 20, 2020)
- Letter from 56 Industry Stakeholders to Senate Appropriators Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (August 2019)
- Industry Stakeholders Call for Passage of Foster-Kelly Amendment to Remove Ban on Unique Patient Identifier (June 2019)
- Industry Stakeholder Letter to Senate Appropriators Requesting FY20 Labor-HHS Report Language on Patient Matching (June 3, 2019)
- Patient Matching Coalition Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee (Jun 2019)
- Multi-stakeholder letter to Congressional Appropriators supporting private sector efforts to match patients to their records (May 2018)
- CHIME Comment Letter on Proposed Year 2 of the QPP Program (Aug 2017)
- Healthcare Industry Letter to Appropriators on Patient Matching Report Language for FY18 (Apr 2017)
- CHIME Statement for the Record of the Ways and Means Committee hearing on, ‘Protecting Americans’ Identities: Examining Efforts to Limit the Use of Social Security Numbers’ (May 2017)
CHIME Efforts to Solve Patient Identification Issues