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Learn About the Joint HIE

While the federal EHR is the federal source for your health history, the joint health information exchange (HIE) links your federal EHR information with EHR information from participating provider organizations. Participating provider organizations include single-physician offices to multi-hospital systems outside of the federal health care systems (for example, the Department of Defense [DOD]; Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]; and Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Coast Guard [USCG]) that participate in the joint HIE.

The joint HIE is a secure gateway used to connect participating provider organizations across the United States who agree to securely share clinical information with DOD, VA and USCG providers. The joint HIE enhances the ability of DOD, VA and USCG providers to access patient electronic health information quickly and securely from participating provider organizations and vice versa. Participating provider organizations now have a single point of entry to request and access DOD, VA and USCG patient information to support the continuity of care for Service members, Veterans and beneficiaries like you. Through the joint HIE, your providers may access your prescriptions, allergies, illnesses, lab and radiology results, immunizations, past medical procedures and medical notes.

With the joint HIE, your providers have a more complete view of your medical history, allowing them to make the most informed medical decisions. This data sharing helps drive enhanced health care.

The joint HIE is part of DOD and VA health care benefits. DOD beneficiaries and Veterans are automatically enrolled. So, if you wish to have your data shared through the joint HIE, no other action is necessary. You may opt out at any time.

Opting In and Out of the Joint Health Information Exchange

For readiness purposes, active-duty Service members must participate in the joint HIE. All others may choose to opt out of this benefit. If you are considering opting out, you should first visit your primary care provider to discuss the benefits of participating in the joint HIE. Through the joint HIE, clinicians have a more complete view of your medical history, allowing the most informed medical decisions and improving outcomes.

Opting out of health information exchange is a two-part process. You need to opt out on both sides of the exchange process (i.e., federal and participating provider organizations). If you choose to opt out, you may choose to opt back in at any time.

  • DOD Beneficiaries

    • Select, complete and print the Joint HIE Opt-Out Letter Template from the TRICARE.mil website. Then sign and mail the letter via the United States Postal Service to the address provided on the form.
    • Participating provider organizations have varied rules regarding joint HIE participation, as guided by state law. You should contact your participating provider organization to learn how to opt out of their HIE process.

  • Veterans

    • Complete and submit VA Form 10-10164 to their facility’s Release of Information Office or submit this form online via My HealtheVet.
    • Participating provider organizations have varied rules regarding joint HIE participation, as guided by state law. You should contact your participating provider organization to learn how to opt out of their HIE process.

The joint HIE honors patient consent. Health records of patients who opt out of sharing will not be exchanged through the joint HIE.

If you opt out, and then change your mind, you can request to opt back in at any time. Most people benefit from sharing their medical information with health care providers, especially in the case of emergencies in which they or their loved one is not able to share necessary information.