What is HIE?

A health information exchange (HIE) is a secure computer network that connects the electronic health information systems of different health care providers, enabling those providers to share clinical and demographic data of patients they have in common. Because different health information systems use their own codes, they may not be able to communicate with each other directly. An HIE, like the one operated by VITL, makes it easier for those different systems to send and receive information. The Vermont Legislature has named VITL as the operator of the Vermont Health Information Exchange, the exclusive statewide HIE for Vermont.