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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252692.tiff Resolution Approve Memorandum of Understanding for Shared Use of Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR)System and Authorize Chair to Sign-Northern Colorado Health Alliance Whereas,the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,Colorado,pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter,is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County,Colorado,and Whereas,the Board has been presented with a Memorandum of Understanding for Shared Use of the Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR)System between the County of Weld,State of Colorado,by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,on behalf of the Department of Public Health and Environment,and Northern Colorado Health Alliance,commencing October 1,2025,with further terms and conditions being as stated in said memorandum of understanding,and Whereas,after review,the Board deems it advisable to approve said memorandum of understanding,a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Now,therefore,be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado,that the Memorandum of Understanding for Shared Use of the Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR)System between the County of Weld,State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,on behalf of the Department of Public Health and Environment,and Northern Colorado Health Alliance, be,and hereby is,approved. Be it further resolved by the Board that the Chair be,and hereby is,authorized to sign said memorandum of understanding. The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,Colorado,approved the above and foregoing Resolution,on motion duly made and seconded,by the following vote on the 29th day of September,A.D.,2025: Perry L.Buck,Chair:Aye Scott K.James,Pro-Tem:Aye ,'`\ I 4 )�� Jason S.Maxey:Aye ♦ ' `asr�. 0Lynette Peppier:Aye I,�� ' Kevin D.Ross:Excused • """ Approved as to Form: % U o+ Bruce Barker,County Attorney Attest: Esther E.Gesick,Clerk to the Board cc- 1-11.(3F1ST I czc) 2025-2692 \U\aaka5 HL0058 COn acf-1Da-993�S BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS-AROUND REVIEW PASS-AROUND TITLE:MOU WITH NORTHERN COLORADO HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR ATHENA ONE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD(EHR)SYSTEM DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DATE: SEPTEMBER 17,2025 PERSON REQUESTING: JASON CHESSHER,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAUN MAY,PHS DIVISION DIRECTOR Brief description of the problem/issue: Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) seeks approval to execute a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)with Northern Colorado Health Alliance(NCHA)regarding shared use of the Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR)system.The system is owned and managed by NCHA and supports WCDPHE's clinical operations and case management needs. What options exist for the Board? • Approve the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)as presented. • Decline to approve the MOU. • Request changes to the MOU before approval. Consequences: Approval will ensure that WCDPHE has continued access to Athena One or has sufficient time to procure an alternative EMR if collaboration with NCHA ceases. Impacts: This MOU ensures that WCDPHE maintains access to a viable electronic medical records platform. Costs(Current Fiscal Year/Ongoing or Subsequent Fiscal Years): There is no direct County expenditure under this MOU.Current service fees for Athena remain at 5.34%of collections, which are already incorporated into existing workflows. No new FTEs are requested;existing staff will support this work. Recommendation: I recommend approval to place this MOU with NCHA on a future agenda for formal consideration. Support Recommendation Schedule Place on BOCC Agenda Work Session Other/Comments: Perry L.Buck Scott K.James Jason S.Maxey 7/4 Lynette Peppier Kevin D.Ross ✓ 2025-2692 Memorandum of Understanding Between Weld County Government and Northern Colorado Health Alliance Regarding Shared Use of the Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR)System Effective Date:October 1,2025 Parties • Weld County Government,located at 1555 North 17'Avenue,Greeley,CO 80631("County") • Northern Colorado Health Alliance,located at 293011 Avenue,Evans,CO 80620("NCHA") I.Purpose This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)establishes a mutual understanding between the County and NCHA regarding the authorized use of the Athena One Electronic Health Record(EHR) system.The system,owned and managed by NCHA,supports client services,-care coordination, and secure information exchange for shared clients served by both organizations. II.Background The Athena One EHR platform is owned and managed by NCHA and used by partner organizations, including Sunrise Community Health and Weld County Government,to manage patient medical records.The County collaborates with NCHA to support clients who benefit from integrated care coordination through secure and authorized access to this platform.Access to the EHR facilitates referrals,treatment planning,and case management across organizations. III.Roles and Responsibilities NCHA agrees to: 1. Provide designated County staff with secure,role-based access to the Athena One system. 2. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state health information privacy laws, including HIPAA,in granting access. 3. Offer necessary training,onboarding,and technical support related to system use. 4. Maintain ownership and administrative control of the EHR platform. Weld County Government agrees to: 1. Ensure that staff with EHR access complete all required security and HIPAA compliance training prior to system use. 2. Use the Athena One system solely for authorized client management and care coordination purposes. 3. Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all data privacy and use policies established by NCHA. 4. Promptly notify NCHA of any staff changes or potential breaches affecting access or data integrity. IV.Data Use and Security • Both parties shall implement appropriate administrative,technical,and physical safeguards to protect client information accessed via the Athena One system. • No data shall be exported,copied,or redistributed outside of authorized workflows without prior written approval from NCHA. • Audit logs and user access reports shall be available upon reasonable request by either party for compliance monitoring purposes. V.Term and Termination This MOU shall remain in effect from the Effective Date until terminated by either party with ninety (90)days'written notice.Termination shall not relieve either party of ongoing obligations related to the confidentiality and protection of client data accessed under this agreement. VI.Renewal and Change Notification NCHA shall provide Weld County with no less than 270 days'(9 months)written notice prior to any material change to the Athena One EHR agreement that may affect Weld County's access, service structure,or participation as a subrecipient.This extended notice period is necessary due to Weld County's statutory procurement process,which may include issuing an RFP,selecting a vendor,and implementing an alternative EMR solution."This notice shall include a detailed summary of any proposed changes in cost,scope of access,system configuration,or terms of use. Because Weld County is subject to a formal public procurement process,advance notice is critical to allow for a potential transition,including issuing a Request for Proposals(RFP),vendor selection, contracting,and implementation of an alternate EMR solution. In particular,any changes to the current Athena service fee structure(presently 5.34%of collections)must be disclosed in writing to Weld County as soon as NCHA is notified by Athena of such changes.Weld County shall have the opportunity to review and determine whether to continue participation based on the revised terms.No changes impacting the County's financial obligations or access rights shall be implemented without the County's written consent. VII.Amendments Any changes to this MOU must be made in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. VIII.Signatures Board of County Commissioners Weld County,Colora•• <1 Perry Li uck,Chair SEP 2 9 2025 l L Attest: rei,Z.(tv Esther E.Gesick,Clerk to the Board I By: Deputy Clerk to the Board For N hern Colorado H alt Allian Na Title:CEO Date:09/10/2025 Z075-7( 61Z Contract Form Entity Information Entity Name* Entity ID* ❑New Entity? NORTH COLORADO HEALTH @00019419 ALLIANCE Contract Name* Contract ID Parent Contract ID MOU WITH NORTHERN COLORADO HEALTH ALLIANCE 9938 FOR ATHENA ONE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD Contract Lead* Requires Board Approval (EHR)SYSTEM YES BFRITZ Contract Status Contract Lead Email Department Project# CTB REVIEW bfritz@weld.gov;Health- Contracts@weld.gov Contract Description* MOU WITH NORTHERN COLORADO HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR ATHENA ONE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD(EHR) SYSTEM Contract Description 2 Contract Type* Department Requested BOCC Agenda Due Date AGREEMENT HEALTH Date* 09/25/2025 09/29/2025 Amount* Department Email $0.00 CM-Health@weld.gov Will a work session with BOCC be required?* NO Renewable* Department Head Email NO CM-Health- Does Contract require Purchasing Dept.to be DeptHead@weld.gov included? Automatic Renewal County Attorney Grant GENERAL COUNTY ATTORNEY EMAIL IGA County Attorney Email CM- COUNTYATTORNEY@WEL D.GOV If this is a renewal enter previous Contract ID If this is part of a MSA enter MSA Contract ID Note:the Previous Contract Number and Master Services Agreement Number should be left blank if those contracts are not in OnBase Contract Dates Effective Date Review Date* Renewal Date 09/01/2026 Termination Notice Period Committed Delivery Date Expiration Date* 09/01/2026 Contact Information Contact Info Contact Name Contact Type Contact Email Contact Phone 1 Contact Phone 2 Purchasing Purchasing Approver Purchasing Approved Date Approval Process Department Head Finance Approver Legal Counsel JASON CHESSHER CHERYL PATTELLI BYRON HOWELL DH Approved Date Finance Approved Date Legal Counsel Approved Date 09/22/2025 09/22/2025 09/22/2025 Final Approval BOCC Approved Tyler Ref# AG 092925 BOCC Signed Date Originator BFRITZ BOCC Agenda Date 09/29/2025 Hello