Indian Health Service Seeks to Modernize Health Information System

The Indian Health Service, the health care system for U.S.-based American Indian and Alaska natives, is looking for companies focused on providing electronic health records to replace the agency’s outdated health information system.

In a draft statement of objectives, the IHS, which is part of the Department of the Interior, announced its plan to award a 10-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity Health Information Technology Modernization program contract that will consist of time-and-materials and firm-fixed-price task orders.

Currently, the IHS uses the Resource and Patient Management System to support services ranging from patient registration to billing.

However, the organization wants to catch up with recent HIT advancements and new regulations, FedScoop reported.

According to the statement of objectives, the IHS wants health IT solutions that use innovative, next-generation technologies employing best practice clinical and business processes to deliver “improved health care outcomes.”

Under the HIT modernization initiative, the selected vendors will provide American Indian and Alaska native patients with cradle-to-grave primary care, prenatal care, behavioral health, dental, physical therapy and telehealth services, among others.

The agency also emphasized its need to enhance security, interoperability and information sharing across the American Indian health system and private and government partners.

To meet such goals, industry must propose solutions that comply with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

The solutions must also align with President Joe Biden’s recent cybersecurity order, which highlights the adoption of a zero trust framework.

According to a request for information, the IHS is seeking vendor feedback on the requirements outlined in the draft SOO. Interested companies may submit responses to the questions in the RFI until Aug. 19.