Top 3 Requirements for Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange

On January 17, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule. One of the requirements under the Rule is Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange. This mandate requires select Medicare Advantage and Medicaid entities to exchange member data (at the request of a member) with other payers using a Payer-to-Payer application programing interface (API).

The Final Rule marks significant progress toward ensuring that health plans and providers have access to the member data necessary for treatment plans based on up-to-date and accurate information. With the looming January 1, 2027, mandatory enforcement date, some health plans are still in the process of uncovering the most effective way to comply with the requirements and position themselves for future success.

At Availity, we understand the complexity of trying to facilitate data exchange across multiple data standard types and systems. To assist your health plan in achieving compliance, we’ve highlighted the top three requirements for payer-to-payer data exchange and outlined an easy-to-follow guide.¹

Requirement 1: Implement and Maintain Payer-to-Payer APIs

Affected health plans will need to establish and maintain Payer-to-Payer APIs. These APIs will facilitate the exchange of member data with other payers using a very similar interface to the Patient Access API that payers have already been working on. The Payer-to-Payer API has the distinction from Patient Access, which can exclude provider remittances and patient cost-sharing information. The exchanged data will encompass all data classes and elements specified in the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) version 1 content standard, along with specific details about the patient’s prior authorizations.

The flow of payer-to-payer transactions starts with a member-initiated request to the former payer for releasing clinical healthcare data to the current payer. This request may be made through a member app, the former payer’s website, or a customer service call. The former payer, upon initiation, needs to identify and validate the former member. Some systems may require new web pages for inactive members to access information.

This process could lead to an increase in customer service calls. Once the former member is identified, and HIPAA security validations are completed, along with confirming the destination of the current health plan, the former member’s data should be packaged and transmitted to the current payer.

To create USCDI version 1 data, health plans will need a robust infrastructure, including data standardization tools, interoperable electronic health record (EHR) systems, and capabilities for secure health information exchange. However, it’s important to know that some standards suggested by the Final Rule are still being finalized, like the Payer-to-Payer Bulk API. Even if you have teams skilled in FHIR, building internally means investing your talent in keeping up with these evolving requirements.

Requirement 2: Capacity to Send and Receive Available Member Data

Affected payers must furnish members with details about the Payer-to-Payer API and enable them to opt in within the first week of coverage initiation. It is important to note that members are not obligated to make a decision within this one-week timeframe.

Should a member choose to opt in, impacted payers are mandated to integrate any received data into the patient’s record. This integration plays a crucial role in promoting seamless care continuity as patients transition between different payers.

The process of sharing member data with a health plan involves a technical three-step sequence that involves authentication, member matching, and data retrieval. Without a robust data exchange framework in place, payers may encounter challenges in responding to information requests or handling data from other payers. This could raise privacy concerns and potentially result in delays in making critical decisions that rely on this data.

Establishing Connections for Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange: Build vs Buy

There are different methods to establish connections for payer-to-payer data exchange, each requiring various levels of effort. It is essential to evaluate your current capabilities and assess the available resources for supporting connectivity.

Building Internally: Organizations exploring internal development should consider the resources, cost, and time it takes to construct a connectivity system. During a meeting with our first Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange cohort, we interviewed a health plan representative who shared that establishing a single connection with another payer required six to eight individuals and approximately six months to establish just one connection. Similar efforts are expected for each following connection.

Pursuing connections without an experienced partner may be challenging, given the Final Rule’s requirements, the need for extensive collaboration, and potential increased effort for multiple connections. This is especially true when considering the associated expenses and the need for continuous tweaking as the market matures. Moreover, factoring in the ongoing maintenance of these connections, and the necessity for internal teams to stay current with evolving standards, the perceived value of the internal resource investment may be diminished.

Outsourcing: Instead of each payer building their own individual connections, health plans might consider collaborating with a centralized solution. While acknowledging the associated costs, many health plans find that outsourcing provides a swift and efficient solution, expediting the implementation process. Outsourcing may offer additional benefits such as leveraging vendor expertise, meeting compliance deadlines effectively, and ensuring a smoother transition into a state that can handle complex data exchange requirements.

How Availity Can Help: Availity has embarked on a dynamic partnership with a select cohort of payers to pioneer the establishment of a set of payer connections within our cutting-edge Connectivity Hub. The Connectivity Hub is designed to accelerate interoperability and streamline the Payer-to-Payer API Data Exchange process. Our aim is to minimize the reliance on costly and time-consuming point-to-point connections. Download our eBook to learn more!

Requirement 3: Provide Members with Educational Resources to Foster Adoption 

Ensuring effective communication with members is vital for promoting adoption, particularly given the relative unfamiliarity of the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule beyond healthcare circles. To encourage members to initiate the request, affected health plans must provide members with educational materials that outline the advantages of Payer-to-Payer API Data Exchange.

For instance, your health plan could create a one-page information sheet highlighting the advantages of opting into payer-to-payer data exchange. This informational material could be sent alongside their initial enrollment paperwork and include a link that directs members to a site where they can provide consent. By incorporating this information into their enrollment process, you ensure compliance with the requirement to provide details within a week of enrollment commencement.

Subsequently, sending out additional communications post-enrollment serves to reinforce the educational resources that were previously provided and eliminates the risk of missing the one-week timeframe for information dissemination. These materials should include clear instructions on how members can opt in or withdraw their previous opt-in decision. This outreach can be facilitated through targeted ad campaigns or direct engagement efforts. Additionally, effective customer service representatives, armed with scripts and a well-defined process, can also play a pivotal role in assisting both current and past members in accessing their data through the Payer-to-Payer API. They should be prepared to highlight the benefits of requesting health data from former payers.

In conclusion, while the establishment of connections with payers demands technology, personnel, and resources, the substantial benefits derived from seamlessly transferring medical records with members as they transition to a new health plan outweigh the associated efforts. The enhanced continuity of care and improved access to comprehensive health data contribute significantly to the overall well-being of individuals within the healthcare ecosystem.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange cohort, check out our latest white paper. This resource will give you a deeper dive into hidden pitfalls and progress achieved throughout implementation and end-to-end testing.

About the Author

Michael Taylor, Senior Clinical Product Owner at Availity, has over a decade of experience in Health IT. He has successfully navigated roles such as Interoperability Engineer, HL7 Analyst, Product Manager, and Senior Product Marketing Manager. His expertise spans a wide range, including FHIR provider directories, social determinants of health, and electronic consent management. 

Outside of his professional life, Michael enjoys hiking and kayaking. One of his favorite pastimes is modifying and playing with foam blasters (kid’s Nerf toys), dedicating time to enhance their performance and appearance, which showcases his unique blend of technical skills and creativity.