Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition.
Expands the definition for covered entity to include any other facility or practitioner licensed by the state to provide health care services. Adds a definition for qualified organization meaning an entity designated by the NC health information exchange (HIE) to contract with covered entities on behalf of the NC HIE in order to facilitate the participation of those covered entities in the HIE Network.
Modifies the requirement that the NC HIE develop and enter into written participation agreements with covered entities that utilize the HIE Network to provide that instead of entering directly into participation agreements with covered entities, the NC HIE may enter into participation agreements with qualified organizations, which in turn, enter into participation agreements with covered entities. Also modifies the requirement that the NC HIE enter directly into a business associate contract with each of the covered entities participating in the HIE Network, providing instead that the NC HIE may enter into business associates contracts with qualified organizations, which in turn, enter into business associates contracts with covered entities.
Requires each covered entity electing to participate in the HIE Network to enter into a business associate contract and a written participation agreement with the NC HIE or qualified organization before disclosing or accessing any protected health information through the HIE Network.
Makes a conforming change.