IHS Releases Request for Proposals for the Enterprise Electronic Health Record System

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program is a multi-year effort to modernize health IT systems for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health care programs. I am pleased to announce that the Indian Health Service has reached a key milestone in this effort. On August 4, 2022, we released the request for proposals Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  for the enterprise electronic health record system on SAM.gov. The RFP enables the acquisition of commercial products to replace the Resource and Patient Management System, RPMS, which includes the work of implementing, training, and supporting the new solution across Indian Country.

As part of the acquisition process, the IHS plans to engage a wide range of health IT system users from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization sites who can provide input as advisors by attending product demonstrations. We expect to ask organizations to identify individuals who can serve as advisors. All advisors will sign non-disclosure agreements to cover their participation in these events. 

As emphasized during tribal consultation and urban confer sessions, the IHS must adhere to federal acquisition process requirements that restrict information that can be shared, in order to support a full and open acquisition process. You can read more about the RFP [PDF] in a letter addressed to tribal leaders and urban Indian organization leaders.

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program will replace RPMS, which handles everything from patient registration to insurance billing, with an enterprise electronic health record system. Replacement of RPMS with a new enterprise EHR system will connect isolated data and improve health care coordination for patients throughout Indian Country, creating a sustainable system for future generations.

You can read more about the program on the IHS website, and in my previous blog that discusses our focus on partner-centered design during the modernization process. The program website includes information on the research that led to the decision to replace RPMS, the current status of the modernization effort, expected benefits of the new system, and frequently asked questions. You can also sign up here to receive additional program updates.

Related Content:

RFP for Indian Health Service HIT Modernization Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program

IHS Focuses On Partner-Centered Design to Modernize Its Health IT System