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Orange County United Way Orange County Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Collaborative

Orange County Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Collaborative

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Orange County United Way Orange County Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Collaborative

What is the dxf?

Transforming California’s healthcare through a modernized data exchange

In July 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 133 (AB 133), the Health Omnibus Trailer Bill. AB 133 mandated data sharing for health care providers in California and required the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) to develop a Data Exchange Framework.

 

The California Health and Human Services Agency’s Data Exchange Framework (DxF) is the first-ever, statewide data sharing agreement that certain organizations and providers in California are required to sign and comply with. The DxF will accelerate and expand the exchange of health information among health care entities, government agencies, and social service organizations beginning in 2024 and improve whole person care for Californians.

What is the OC DxF Collaborative

Orange County United Way convenes the Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Collaborative. Members of the collaborative are recognized leaders in the Orange County data exchange space and are actively involved in the improvement of health and social data exchange within their own organizations and with partner organizations. The Orange County DxF Collaborative is working to advance person-centered and equitable care coordination for all residents. 

The DxF Collaborative is working in tandem with the Orange County Network of Care to develop an overarching strategy to advance data sharing.

Vision

Health and social data exchange enables person-centered, equitable, and coordinated care for all Orange County residents.

Mission

Advance health and social data sharing through convening a Data Exchange Framework Collaborative with Orange County partners to prevent duplication of efforts, drive implementation and uptake of CalAIM services, and deliver faster, better service outcomes to all Orange County residents.

July 2021

DxF signed into law

January 2024

Some entities required to begin data sharing under the DxF

  • General acute care hospitals
  • Physician organizations and medical groups
  • Skilled nursing facilities that currently maintain electronic records
  • Health care service plans and disability insurers
  • Clinical laboratories
  • Acute psychiatric hospitals
January 2026

More entitites required to begin data sharing under the DxF

  • Physician practices of fewer than 25 physicians
  • Rehabilitation hospitals
  • Long-term acute care hospitals
  • Acute psychiatric hospitals
  • Critical access hospitals
  • Rural general acute care hospitals with fewer than 100 acute care beds
  • State-run acute psychiatric hospitals
  • Nonprofit clinics with fewer than 10 health care providers

The DxF governs a few specific types of data exchange transactions:

  • Request for Information
  • Information Delivery
  • Notification of Admit, Discharge, and Transfer Events
  • Person Matching

As of January 2024, certain types of health care entities are required to sign a common Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) and begin sharing data. Some organizations are not required to share data, but by participating, can improve their operations, ensure compliance towards future data exchange policies, and open new revenue opportunities. The DxF is technology-agnostic; organizations can reach compliance by contracting with one of nine Qualified Health Information Organizations (QHIOs) or by building their own data sharing solution in-house or with local partners.

How to begin data sharing

Interested organizations can visit How to Sign the Data Sharing Agreement for detailed steps and more information on the process, or access the  DxF DSA Signing Portal and Participant Directory directly. 

A step-by-step guide is also available by visiting DxF Participant Directory How to Guide.

More on DxF

DxF and CalAIM Implementation

CalAIM is a Medi-Cal transformation initiative. Its goal is to advance health equity, integrate SDOH into care, and modernize the delivery system for vulnerable Californians, especially those with complex health and social needs. Improving health and social services data exchange is critical to successfully implementing CalAIM initiatives. The DxF supports CalAIM by establishing a statewide data sharing agreement with a common set of policies and procedures. The DxF will accelerate data sharing to address the challenges of coordination between clinical care and social services to achieve whole person care. 

 

In addition to advancing CalAIM initiatives, the DxF provides a governance structure to privately and securely exchange health and social services information (HSSI) between health care providers, entities, government agencies, and social service programs in California to improve health equity and outcomes for all Californians.

Orange County is home to a diverse population with many residents experiencing differing health and social needs due to inequities. While some data exchange efforts exist, the Orange County DxF Collaborative is working together to move towards a more cohesive health and social services data sharing network to improve health outcomes, reduce duplication, and build a more streamlined system of care. 

 

Through the Collaborative’s work, Californians who rely on federal, state, county, and private donor-funded programs to help address mental health, housing, and food insecurity among other challenges, will obtain faster and better health service delivery. The largest impact areas for data exchange identified are supporting homelessness, early childhood development, education and justice initiatives in Orange County.

Orange County United Way Orange County Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Collaborative

Data Exchange Efforts

Numerous health and social services data exchange efforts already exist in Orange County. The Orange County Data DxF Collaborative is assessing ongoing health and social service data exchange efforts. If you are an organization that currently participates in data exchange, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete our Orange County DxF Collaborative: Existing Efforts Survey. Information collected will be shared on this data exchange hub.

For organizations interested in learning more about the Data Exchange Framework, Orange County United Way is hosting educational sessions discussing the opportunities and implications for organizations participating in and accessing statewide health and social services data exchange efforts.

Learn more about our upcoming education sessions

Get Involved

To learn more about data exchange in Orange County or get involved in the OC DxF Collaborative, please submit a message through our contact form.

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions

What is AB 133?

In July 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 133 (AB 133), the Health Omnibus Trailer Bill. AB 133 mandated data sharing for health care providers in California and required the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) to develop a Data Exchange Framework.

The Data Exchange Framework (DxF) designates a single data sharing agreement that certain organizations and providers in California are required to sign and comply with. The DxF sets forth a universal (within California) Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) that participating organizations must adhere to, once having signed the DSA. Policies and procedures outlining technical requirements are available for organizations to understand the commitment that must be met. (DxF Fact Sheet)

For more information:  California Data Exchange Framework

Historically, local community based organizations (CBOs), health care entities, and government agencies have faced challenges with sharing patient data between health and social service providers to provide high-quality, holistics, and person-centered care. By implementing data exchange and complying with new DxF standards, health and social services organizations will be able to provide enhanced patient care, access more funding to sustain these services, and better understand where needs are in the social and health services ecosystem.

  • Improve exchange of health and social data within own organization and between partner organizations 
  • Avoid duplicative work with ability to allocate staff time and energy towards other areas of needed work 
  • Advance person-centered, equitable care coordination for Orange County residents
  • Access locally-tailored education about the DxF
  • Become a recognized leader in the Orange County data exchange space

As a CBO, managing communication between internal and external systems can be cumbersome and taxing on staff and budgets. With a streamlined data exchange system, errors, duplication, delays to care and additional costs can be avoided. Participating in the DxF effort in Orange County will improve operations, ensure compliance towards future data exchange policies for CBOs, and open new revenue opportunities. For more information or to initiate the collaboration process, please submit a message through our contact form.

The DxF will support identifying local trends and patterns in health and social services. This will help inform community leaders on the performance of programs and allocation of resources. The DxF can help forecast trends during program and service development and proactively address challenges that might arise. As a result, this should improve resident health and wellness across health and social services through tailored interventions and support services.

Additional Resources

California Data Exchange Framework

The CalHHS Data Exchange Framework (DxF) facilitates the secure and appropriate exchange of health and social services information, giving providers a clear understanding of a patient’s full health history and the information needed to provide safe, effective, whole-person care.

How to Sign the Data Sharing Agreement  

Grant Opportunities to Advance Data Sharing

Center for Data Insights and Innovation Data Exchange Framework

Detailed information on DxF implementation, including policies, procedures and frequently asked questions can be found on CDII.

Connecting for Better Health Data Exchange Framework Information Hub

Connecting for Better Health (C4BH) provides a forum for members to discuss policy developments, share the latest evidence, and develop a collective outlook to advance data sharing in California

Access coalition letters, issue briefs, fact sheets and policy analyses

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in the Orange County Data Exchange Collaborative! If you’re interested in joining the collaborative or would like additional information, please complete the contact form.

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