
Patient Identification & Digital Identity
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. On 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
Letters to the Administration
- Stakeholder Letter to White House on Digital Identity (June 2023)
- Letter from CHIME to ONC on Patient Matching (September 4, 2020)
Congressional Letters & Testimony
- Letter from 152 Industry Stakeholders to House Appropriators and Senate Appropriators Calling for UPI Ban Removal- FY24 (April 2023)
- Letter to Senator Cassidy (R-LA) concerning feedback on Medicare / Medicaid “dual eligibles” and cost savings around patient matching (January 2023)
- Stakeholder Letter of Support to Congressional Leadership for The Improving Digital Identity Act (November 2022)
- Letter to Senators Sinema and Lummis in Support of The Improving Digital Identity Act (November 2022)
- Letter from 119 Industry Stakeholders to House Appropriators and Senate Appropriators Calling for UPI Ban Removal- FY23 (May 2022)
- Letter from 102 Industry Stakeholders to House Appropriators and Senate Appropriators Calling for UPI Ban Removal- FY22 (April 2021)
- CHIME Letter to Senator Alexander on Preparing for the Next Pandemic (June 2020)
- Letter from 69 Industry Stakeholders to House Appropriators and Senate Appropriators Calling for the Removal of the UPI Ban (June 2020)
- CHIME Letter to Chairman Shelby and Chairman DeLauro Calling for Removal of the UPI Ban (2020)
CHIME Efforts to Solve Patient Identification Issues