In many cases, effectively using data will require partnerships across state agencies. Data sharing agreements detail each agency’s responsibilities, provide for privacy protections, and specify technical procedures for information transfer.

*Milestone details:

*Full name: Craft or revise any necessary data sharing agreements among agencies to facilitate data use and data sharing across the health system.

*Relevance to the ACA:

Interagency data sharing agreements will help states comply with multiple provisions of the ACA, including:

§1411 – Exchanges must establish procedures with the federal government to exchange data for purposes of determining an applicant’s eligibility for (1) participation in the Exchange, (2) premium subsides and cost sharing reductions, and (3) exemption from the individual mandate.

§1413, §2201 – Each state must develop a “secure, electronic interface allowing an exchange of data” that can be used to determine eligibility for premium assistance tax credits, CHIP, Medicaid, and basic health plans (if applicable). §1413 further directs that the federal government may establish model agreements for data sharing.

§2701 – Medicaid agencies may wish to establish data sharing agreements with state health information exchange organizations to assist in performance reporting for the new voluntary core set of adult health quality measures.