NYC REACH understands that our members rely on their RHIOs (such as Healthix or Bronx RHIO) to access patient information across different facilities and provide more coordinated care. To ensure you can continue using these important tools without interruption, please review the important action item below.

Recently, your Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) may have contacted you about signing the Statewide Common Participation Agreement, also known as “SCPA”. The Statewide Common Participation Agreement (SCPA) aims to modernize the sharing of health information across New York. The state’s goal is for all RHIO participants to sign this new agreement, ensuring there are no interruptions to your RHIO access while New York continues improving its health information exchange system.  

Q: Is my organization required to sign the SCPA?

A: Only regulated participants, such as hospitals, Article 28 clinics, and long-term care facilities, were required to sign the SCPA Agreement as of 9/30/2025. Please contact your RHIO if you have not yet signed.

Voluntary participants, such as small practices and other practices not licensed under Article 28, are not required to sign, but your current agreement will expire in January 2026. After that, you will not be able to contribute or receive data from New York’s Health Information Network. As such, NYC REACH highly encourages all RHIO participants to prioritize signing the SCPA as soon as possible. If you have not received information from your RHIO, reach out to your RHIO representative.

Q: What are the benefits of signing the SCPA?

A: Benefits include:

• Ability to continue contributing health information to HIN through QE after January 2026
• Consistency in services and more transparent and accurate data
• Participants can select their RHIO of choice
• One unified agreement that sets the standards for mandatory requirements for all QEs

Q: When is the deadline for voluntary participants (i.e. small practices and non-Article 28 practices) sign SCPA?

A: The deadline to sign SCPA is March 31st, 2026.

Q: Who will send me outreach about the SCPA?

A: Your Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) will typically reach out to provide information about the Statewide Common Participation Agreement (SCPA) and facilitate the signing process. If you are ready to sign the SCPA but have not yet been contacted by your RHIO, you may complete the SCPA Contact Form. Submitting this form will notify NYeC, who will then send the SCPA agreement to you for signature.

Q: Do I have to select a designated Health Information Network (also known as RHIO) when completing the SCPA agreement?

A: Yes, participants must designate a primary HIN that connects to their EHR. In most cases, your current HIN already meets this requirement. For additional information, please contact your RHIO/QE vendor.

Q: I have already signed SCPA and designated my primary HIN, but I would like to add an additional Health Information Network (also known as a RHIO/QE). Is this possible?

A: Yes, participants may add an additional Health Information Network by completing the SCPA HIN Election Schedule Form. Adding an additional HIN is optional and should be considered if you are looking for services beyond what your designated HIN provides. It is important to contact the HIN you are interested in connecting with to learn more about their services. The election schedule is rolling, and the form may be submitted at any time.

Q: Are there state-designated Health Information Networks?

A: New York State has awarded—and will continue to award—Health Information Networks to provide various statewide services. In 2025, New York State designated HIXNY and HealtheConnections as the Health Information Networks responsible for delivering statewide Admission, Discharge, Transfer (ADT) notification alerts to all participants at no cost.  

Q: How can I find out more about the SCPA?

A: Please contact your QE to find out more and/or refer to New York eHealth Collaborative’s FAQ