In accordance with § 32.1-276.9:1 of the Code of Virginia, the State Health Commissioner is instructed to report on the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Health Information Needs Workgroup on an annual basis. The report is prepared by the nonprofit organization with which the State Health Commissioner contracts to (i) compile, store, analyze, and evaluate health data submitted by Virginia health care providers; (ii) operates the All-Payer Claims Database; and (iii) measures the efficiency and productivity of health care providers that operate in the Commonwealth. The State Health Commissioner is responsible for submitting the report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1st each year.

Virginia Health Information (VHI) deferred convening meetings of the full Health Information Needs Workgroup in 2025 as major topics for the year were covered by the VHI Board of Directors. The nonprofit continued collaborating with relevant stakeholders throughout calendar year 2025 to maintain current requirements as well as discuss potential expansion(s). The findings and recommendations resulting from the stakeholder partnership exchanges are listed below.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION ITEMS

1. Pursue expansion of Virginia Outpatient Level Data Collection – VHI continued to work with VDH to submit a decision memo to the Board of Health, which expanded the outpatient data requirement. This change was approved by the State Health Commissioner on behalf of the Board of Health on April 29, 2025. The new data collection scope aligns Virginia’s outpatient data collection with national practices and strengthens the Commonwealth’s ability to evaluate trends in outpatient surgical and emergency care, support Certificate of Public Need (COPN) and evaluate charity care.

2. Expand the functionality of the Public Health Reporting Pathway (PHRP) – Now that VHI has transitioned its technology vendor for the PHRP, with additional funding, a stronger repository of public health messaging data can be constructed to better meet the needs of the VDH and the broader healthcare community.

3. Begin planning to implement the expanded data collection related to the 2023 legislative changes to the Smartchart Network Program – This includes the collection of lab results, images, and discharge and other treatment and care coordination information. Updated legal agreements and an implementation plan are being developed for this collection.

4. Assess data needs that are currently not addressed through current inventory of Virginia programs - VHI will assess which program enhancements and additions are necessary to meet Virginia healthcare stakeholders’ needs over the next year.