Utah Code § 26B-8-411

Duty to establish standards for the electronic exchange of clinical health
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
information -- Immunity.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Affiliate" means an organization that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another organization.
(b) "Clinical health information" shall be defined by the department by administrative rule adopted
in accordance with Subsection (2).
(c) "Electronic exchange":
(i) includes:
(A) the electronic transmission of clinical health data via Internet or extranet; and
(B) physically moving clinical health information from one location to another using magnetic
tape, disk, or compact disc media; and
(ii) does not include exchange of information by telephone or fax.
(d) "Health care provider" means a licensing classification that is either:
(i) licensed under Title 58, Occupations and Professions, to provide health care; or
(ii) licensed under Chapter 2, Part 2, Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection.
(e) "Health care system" shall include:
(i) affiliated health care providers;
(ii) affiliated third party payers; and
(iii) other arrangement between organizations or providers as described by the department by
administrative rule.
(f) "Qualified network" means an entity that:
(i) is a non-profit organization;
(ii) is accredited by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission, or another
national accrediting organization recognized by the department; and
(iii) performs the electronic exchange of clinical health information among multiple health care
providers not under common control, multiple third party payers not under common control,
the department, and local health departments.
(g) "Third party payer" means:
(i) all insurers offering health insurance who are subject to Section 31A-22-614.5; and
(ii) the state Medicaid program.
(2)
(a) The department shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:
(i) define:
(A) "clinical health information" subject to this section; and

(B) "health system arrangements between providers or organizations" as described in
Subsection (1)(e)(iii); and
(ii) adopt standards for the electronic exchange of clinical health information between
health care providers and third party payers that are for treatment, payment, health care
operations, or public health reporting, as provided for in 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164,
Health Insurance Reform: Security Standards.
(b) The department shall coordinate its rule making authority under the provisions of this section
with the rule making authority of the Insurance Department under Section 31A-22-614.5.
(c) The department shall establish procedures for developing the rules adopted under this
section, which ensure that the Insurance Department is given the opportunity to comment on
proposed rules.
(3)
(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(e), a health care provider or third party payer in Utah is
required to use the standards adopted by the department under the provisions of Subsection
(2) if the health care provider or third party payer elects to engage in an electronic exchange
of clinical health information with another health care provider or third party payer.
(b) A health care provider or third party payer may make a disclosure of information to the
department or a local health department, by electronic exchange of clinical health information,
as permitted by Subsection 45 C.F.R. Sec. 164.512(b).
(c) When functioning in its capacity as a health care provider or payer, the department or a
local health department may make a disclosure of clinical health information by electronic
exchange to another health care provider or third party payer.
(d) An electronic exchange of clinical health information by a health care provider, a third party
payer, the department, a local health department, or a qualified network is a disclosure for
treatment, payment, or health care operations if it complies with Subsection (3)(a) or (c) and
is for treatment, payment, or health care operations, as those terms are defined in 45 C.F.R.
Parts 160, 162, and 164.
(e) A health care provider or third party payer is not required to use the standards adopted by
the department under the provisions of Subsection (2) if the health care provider or third
party payer engage in the electronic exchange of clinical health information within a particular
health care system.
(4) Nothing in this section shall limit the number of networks eligible to engage in the electronic
data interchange of clinical health information using the standards adopted by the department
under Subsection (2)(a)(ii).
(5)
(a) The department, a local health department, a health care provider, a third party payer, or a
qualified network is not subject to civil liability for a disclosure of clinical health information if
the disclosure is in accordance with:
(i) Subsection (3)(a); and
(ii) Subsection (3)(b), (c), or (d).
(b) The department, a local health department, a health care provider, a third party payer, or
a qualified network that accesses or reviews clinical health information from or through the
electronic exchange in accordance with the requirements in this section is not subject to civil
liability for the access or review.
(6) Within a qualified network, information generated or for which a disclosure is made in the
electronic exchange of clinical health information is not subject to discovery, use, or receipt in
evidence in any legal proceeding of any kind or character.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 306, 2023 General Session

‹ Prev All Utah sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.