Hielix creates solutions for the exchange of health information, while MEDNET provides Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) connectivity and Health Information Exchange (HIE) solutions.

The contract, facilitated by Iowa e-Health – a collaboration created by the Iowa Department of Public Health to plan and promote the adoption and use of health information technology across the state – commences a critical first step in the HIE planning phase. In March, the state was awarded $8,375,000 to establish a statewide HIE by 2014 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’s HITECH provision. 

Iowa’s Strategic and Operational Plan describes the strategies and activities that will be necessary to advance adoption of electronic health records (EHR) and establish a statewide HIE. The plan is currently pending approval.

In addition to Iowa, Hielix is currently providing health IT solutions for Nebraska, North Dakota, Mississippi, Nevada and the U.S. island territory of Guam. The company also was responsible for designing and constructing the Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) for rural Arizona and various counties in Florida.