Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state received $19 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support a statewide health information exchange that will give providers access to patient data in real time to improve the quality of care and reduce health care costs.

“If we are going to ensure patients receive superior care and reduce burdening health care costs, we have to finally move into the 21^st century and go beyond paper health records,” said Governor Bullock. “A statewide health information exchange brings providers together to collectively use common sense and secure technology to improve health outcomes for Montanans.”

http://governor.mt.gov/Pressroom/governor-bullock-announces-19-million-grant-to-support-health-information-exchange

*****************

Montana Works Toward Unified Medical Records Database

A virtual network of patient medical records is under construction by state officials and a newly formed organization in Montana’s health care industry. Gov. Steve Bullock announced Wednesday that $19 million in federal funding is backing the developing information exchange.

Big Sky Care Connect is Montana’s latest attempt to link health care providers so they can more efficiently share patient medical information.