CHICAGO – The inclusion of funding for health information exchanges (HIEs) through ARRA’s HITECH Act is a “once in a generation” opportunity, the HIMSS VCE opening keynote speaker said.

“There are no second chances,” John Kansky, vice president for Business Development for the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), emphasized. “Be careful with what you do with the money.”

That’s one of the messages Kansky will convey in his session, “ARRA HITECH and Health Information Exchange: Opportunities and Pitfalls,” this morning at 9am CT.

IHIE is one of the more mature HIEs in the country and often referred to as a model for the rest of the country. Kansky will share IHIE’s experiences and his perspective on lessons learned – both what to do and what not to do.

IHIE and four other HIEs in Indiana and four other state organizations formed the Indiana Health Information Technology, Inc., which filed an application for federal stimulus funding for a statewide health IT program.

“Health information exchange has to conform to the healthcare market, not the state,” he said, referring to distribution of federal funds through the state. For Indiana, for example, it makes sense to take a market-based approach and work with the existing organizations.

The approach also is best considering that Indiana’s healthcare markets overlap into other states. For smaller states such as Delaware a statewide approach is better, he pointed out.

 Kansky will also offer words of caution. “I worry about how states are going to invest these dollars,” he said. Every state has a story to tell about its challenges for connectivity.

“It’s an exciting and interesting time,” Kansky said. “There’s a lot at stake.” It’s important, therefore, to ensure that all stakeholders take advantage of this opportunity and learn from other HIEs, he said.