Consumer Group Raises Flags On HIE

A major advocacy group has warned consumers against participating in a new statewide health information exchange (HIE) initially seeded by two of the state's largest health plans.

Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, which regularly butts heads with healthcare entities, has recommended avoiding the Cal INDEX HIE until its management answers a variety of questions about its operations. The exchange was funded with $80 million from Anthem Blue Cross of California and Blue Shield of California with the hope of creating a statewide HIE that would make it easier to share patient medical records and avoid duplicative healthcare services.

“Consumers' medical information is already being collected by Cal INDEX from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but the organization has not yet made its privacy policy public, or clearly disclosed to the public how their medical information will be used,” Consumer Watchdog said in a statement.

The organization also stated that consumers should have the option of placing their information with Cal INDEX voluntarily, as opposed to having it uploaded automatically and then allowing them to opt out later.

"If the exchange will do so much to benefit our healthcare, Cal INDEX should make that case and ask us to opt in," said John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog's privacy project. "Instead, Blue Cross and Blue Shield are telling enrollees they can opt out during the busy holiday season when we are all distracted. No consumer yet has enough information to decide whether to opt into Cal INDEX. The best privacy protection for now is to opt out.  You can always opt in when they make it clear what the benefits and protections will be."

Meanwhile, Consumer Watchdog asserted, individuals being asked to participate in the exchange cannot make an informed decision until more information is provided.

Blue Shield spokesperson Steve Shivinsky seemed unconcerned. “We’re confident Cal INDEX can work effectively with patients and consumer groups to address these concerns. Cal INDEX has released a significant amount of information about...and we expect we’ll see even more in the coming weeks and months,” he said by email.

An Anthem Blue Cross spokesperson declined to comment.