TEFCA at 1.5 Billion: Why New Federal Backing Solidifies the Future of Health Data

For healthcare and technology leaders tracking the progress of nationwide interoperability, the verdict is in: TEFCA has officially achieved massive, nationwide scale.

The latest contract year milestones released by the ONC and The Sequoia Project (RCE) show that the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement is no longer just a blueprint—it is a thriving national data highway.

The numbers highlight a staggering trajectory:

• 1.5 Billion+ Documents Exchanged since the December 2023 go-live.
• 100,000+ Active Sites sharing clinical data nationwide.
• 11 Designated QHINs representing over 23,000 organizations.

 

Funding the Next Era of Network Growth

As transaction volumes surge, the network's operational needs are naturally maturing. Managing a high-performance exchange of this magnitude requires continuous innovation in network directory tools, rigorous trust-chain security, and seamless onboarding frameworks. The ONC’s decision to award the RCE its next option year with a 15%+ funding increase is a major milestone. This federal investment directly backs the physical infrastructure of the network, ensuring the RCE has the resources to support its expanding footprint and maintain high-bar network integrity.

 

Real-World Impact: Welcoming the SSA to the Network

Rather than just discussing technical capabilities, we are seeing TEFCA deliver immediate, real-world value to patients. A prime example is the Social Security Administration (SSA) utilizing the network for government benefits determination. By integrating the SSA directly into this national exchange, we are replacing slow, manual record-retrieval methods with secure, instant data flow. For patients applying for disability benefits, this means:

• Dramatically reduced waiting times for critical determinations.
• Elimination of the administrative burden of gathering paper records.
• Faster access to support during life-altering transitions.

 

The Bottom Line

TEFCA is proving to be a foundational framework for nationwide health data exchange. With federal commitment reinforced and network scale firmly established, its collaborative role in the broader interoperability ecosystem is clear.

https://rce.sequoiaproject.org/onc-increases-funding-for-tefca-rce-in-new-contract-year/

 

Get Informed. Get Involved.

https://rce.sequoiaproject.org/events-webinars-and-sessions/

 

Dianne Koval, RHIA, CCEP, CHPS
Vice President, Operations
Centauri Health Solutions, Inc.