Effective May 3rd, 2023, all psychologists are mandated to connect with Connie, CT’s Health Information Exchange, according to state statute.  Is your practice prepared?

CPA Presents an Informational Webinar on Connie, CT’s Health Information Exchange (HIE): What is Connie? And How Will It Impact Psychologists?

Date: Monday, April 3rd 2023 Time: 5:00PM – 6:30PM Location: Webinar Via Zoom Continuing Education: Participants are eligible for 1 CE credit Connecticut’s Legislature passed a state statute to develop a Health Information Exchange to safely and securely share digital healthcare records.  Effective May 3rd, 2023, all healthcare providers, including psychologists, will be required to connect with CT’s Health Information Exchange, known as Connie.  CPA has been hard at work, understanding the mandate and the implications for psychologists, including meetings with the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) and advocacy efforts with a multidisciplinary coalition of behavioral health providers.  CPA’s Information Webinar will provide the latest understanding of CONNIE: what the mandate is and is not, inclusion/exclusion criteria for psychologists; implications for various practice settings; and issues surrounding patient consent and privacy.  CPA’s panel, including Drs. Barbara Ward-Zimmerman, Marcy Russo, and Meghan Butler, will present on the history of the HIE in CT, expectations for psychologists across settings and specialties, and CPA’s current advocacy efforts to delay the mandate for behavioral health providers.  The panel presentation with be followed by a Question and Answer session with discussion. Presenters: Dr. Barbara Ward-Zimmerman, Chair of CPA’s Connie Work Group; Chair of Healthcare Reform Task Force Dr. Marcy Russo: Chair of CPA’s Legislative Committee Dr. Meghan Butler: CPA’s Executive Director, Member of Connie Work Group The goal of the presentation is to provide CT psychologists with the necessary information and recommendations to remain in compliance with new state statutes as well as with the legal and ethical guidelines around consent and privacy. Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will:

1. Understand the new legal requirements for psychologists in CT according to the State statute and identify the effective date for compliance.
2. Identify 2 benefits of coordinating care between healthcare providers and identify the benefits and limitations of health information exchanges.
3. Identify the different guidelines for psychologists using an Electronic Health Record capable of connecting with Connie and the guidelines for psychologists without EHR connection capabilities.
4. Obtain appropriate forms to submit for compliance with the mandate and for patients to Opt Out of sharing information on Connie.