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 

 Congressional Letters & Testimony 

CHIME Efforts to Solve Patient Identification Issues