Skip to Main Content

Breadcrumb

  1. Governor
  2. hie.illinois.gov

Welcome to the Illinois Health Information Exchange Website 

Featured Articles

  1. Article number 1 - ILHIE Direct Secure Messaging Solution
  2. Article number 2 - Behavioral Health Integration Project (BHIP)
  3. Article number 3 - EHR Incentive Programs
  4. Article number 4 - Illinois HIT Regional Extension Centers

  • ILHIE Direct Secure Messaging SolutionILHIE Direct Secure Messaging Solution

    In December 2011 the Illinois Health Information Exchange launched its first service, The ILHIE Direct Secure Messaging Solution. ILHIE Direct, available to all licensed Illinois health care providers at no cost through 2012, is a secure email service that assists providers in achieving Stage 1 Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records. Though it functions much like standard email, ILHIE Direct sends messages in an encrypted format that complies with HIPAA and state law, making it a quick and easy alternative to secured fax, and a sensible replacement for un-secured email.

  • Behavioral Health Integration Project (BHIP)Behavioral Health Integration Project (BHIP)

    CHICAGO – March 2, 2012. Illinois has received $600,000 in federal funding to support the Behavioral Health Integration Project (BHIP) whose goal is to promote the exchange of health information among behavioral health and medical care providers to achieve better care. Grant activities will help licensed substance abuse and mental health practitioners to better coordinate patient care with their clients’ primary care providers through secure electronic health information exchange. Ensuring appropriate access to relevant patient information, such as current medications and medication history, holds great promise for improving the overall health of patients.

  • EHR Incentive ProgramsEHR Incentive Programs

    The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology:

  • Illinois HIT Regional Extension CentersIllinois HIT Regional Extension Centers

    The Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) Program was developed to assist health professionals in implementing and becoming "meaningful users" of electronic health records. Two Illinois consortiums were awarded grants under this program, and they are currently working with thousands of providers across the state in their transitions from paper to electronic records. Follow the appropriate link to learn more about and get in contact with your REC:


Health Information Technology is improving health care in Illinois and across the country. Today, most health care providers write medical information on paper charts which are not easily accessible and are difficult to share with other care providers. Health information technology, sometimes called e-health, allows the use of computer networks to store, manage and exchange health records.

The Illinois Office of Health Information Technology is working with the Illinois Health Information Exchange Authority  to build the The Illinois Health Information Exchange (ILHIE), a statewide, secure electronic network for sharing clinical and administrative data among health care providers in Illinois. ILHIE will allow health care providers and professionals to exchange electronic health information in a secure environment, which will help prevent duplicate tests and procedures, and ensure the accuracy of prescriptions and other medical orders.

Explore our website to learn more about e-health and the Illinois Health Information Exchange. If you would like to receive email updates sign up for the Illinois Health Information Exchange Listserv.

Top News

Join Us For Two Upcoming Webinars:

3.2.12 News Alert - Illinois Receives $600,000 in Federal Funding to Connect the Behavioral Health Community to the Illinois Health Information Exchange (pdf)

2.24.12 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposes Definition of Stage 2 Meaningful Use of Certified Electronic Health Records (EHR) Technology | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking PowerPoint (pdf)

12.22.11 - Illinois Health Information Exchange Launches ILHIE Direct Secure Messaging Solution - A Free, Secure Email Service That Will Assist Licensed Illinois Health Care Providers in Achieving Stage 1 Meaningful Use | ILHIE Direct News Alert (pdf)

[more news] 

Information for Patients and Consumers

If you would like to learn more about e-health, read newsletters, fact sheets, patient stories, and more; follow the links below or view the complete Patients and Consumers Page. For additional information and resources visit the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) Website for Patients and Families. 

ILHIE Patient and Consumer Newsletter - April 2012 (pdf)

The Future of Healthcare: Electronic Health Records (YouTube)

ILHIE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Patients and Consumers

ILHIE Privacy and Security Fact Sheet for Patients and Consumers (pdf)

Information for Providers and Professionals

To view newsletters, news stories, webinars, fact sheets and other important information, including registration for Electronic Health Records Meaningful Use Incentive Payments; follow the links below or view the complete Providers and Professionals Page. For additional information and resources visit the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) Website for Providers and Professionals.

ILHIE Direct - Secure Messaging Solution

ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter - March 2012 (pdf)

EHR Incentive Programs

ILHIE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Providers and Professionals

ILHIE 101: The Basics of Health Information Exchange, PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

Copyright © 2012 State of Illinois