Doctors seeking to improve patient care can soon use Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) to share vital patient health information, under legislation signed into law today.

The new law, which passed the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support, authorizes doctors to use HIEs to improve their ability to treat patients. HIEs allow health care providers to share a patient’s personal health information electronically.

HIEs are secure, confidential and must meet national standards.

“Modernizing the way we, as a state, address health care can reduce hassles for patients when they visit their doctors,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Vice Chair of the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee. “Allowing doctors to use Health Information Exchanges will give them new tools to improve patients’ quality of care.”

House Bill 5925 improves the state’s compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). The law ensures the Clinical Laboratory Blood Bank Act, the AIDS Confidentiality Act and the Genetic Information Privacy Act are in line with HIPPA regulations.

Sen. Hunter and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz’s (D-Chicago) law also prevents insurance companies from using pre-existing conditions like HIV/AIDS to determine the cost of life and health insurance.

 “Insurance allows people to afford health care. Patients shouldn’t have to worry about being penalized for needing their insurance coverage,” Hunter said.

Insurance companies can receive personal health information only if patients voluntarily allow access. The prohibition does not apply to long-term care policies and mirrors exceptions under HIPAA.

The measure goes into effect January 1.