NextGen Healthcare, Kno2 Form Partnership to Improve Patient Care and Advance Interoperability

NextGen Healthcare, a provider of cloud-based healthcare technology solutions, has announced a partnership with Kno2, a major U.S. healthcare communication network provider and federally designated Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN). The partnership allows NextGen’s clients to connect to Kno2’s expansive QHIN, making it easier for healthcare organizations to share patient data with other network participants. 

The alliance allows more than 100,000 providers in a range of specialties to participate in the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), a U.S. government-sponsored exchange framework for healthcare data interoperability designed to provide a single network on-ramp for streamlining health information exchange (HEI). 

The announcement coincides with completion of NextGen’s planned CEO transition in early October. Srinivas (Sri) Velamoor, formerly president and Chief Operating Officer (COO), is now President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This as part of the leadership transition announced in June when Madison Dearborn Partners acquired a significant ownership position in the company alongside software investment firm Thoma Bravo.

Kno2’s network facilitates secure sharing of patient information across different providers, payers, and patients. By integrating NextGen and Kno2 platforms, the alliance is expected to provide the following benefits: 

• Streamline data exchange by moving away from manual processes such faxing or phone calls so providers can get the information more quickly and efficiently. 
• Reduce provider administrative tasks, allowing them to spend more time on patient care.
• Improve patient care by giving providers faster access to comprehensive clinical information at the point of care, leading to more informed decisions and better outcomes. 

Other Companies That Are QHINs

The 21st Century Cures Act, signed by President Obama in 2016, calls on the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONC) to “develop or support a trusted exchange framework, including a common agreement among health information networks nationally.” TEFCA has three goals:

1. Establish a universal governance, policy, and technical floor for nationwide interoperability.
2. Simplify connectivity for organizations to securely exchange information to improve patient care, enhance the welfare of populations, and generate healthcare value.
3. Enable individuals to gather their healthcare information.

Other companies have also established themselves as QHIN under the TEFCA framework to streamline data exchange. For example, Epic Systems is a QHIN through its network Epic Nexus. It connects thousands of hospitals and clinics using Epic’s electronic health record (HER) software to the national data exchange framework, allowing them to securely exchange health information with other participants regardless of which EHR system the other organization uses. 

More than 1,000 hospitals and 22,000 clinics using Epic software are live on TEFCA. The company's goal is to have all its customers live on TEFCA by the end of the year.

Other organizations that have been designated as QHINs include the following. 

• CommonWell Health Alliance is a nonprofit trade association that facilitates nationwide health data exchange across different EHR vendors.
• eHealth Exchange is a health information network that includes federal agencies and state and regional HIEs.
• Health Gorilla is an aggregator of health data from labs, diagnostics, and digital health applications.
• KONZA National Network is a health information network that integrates public health agencies and health systems.
• MedAllies is an early QHIN that has supported interoperability, particularly in primary care settings, for over a decade.
• Netsmart announced its QHIN designation in August 2025. It focuses on connecting post-acute care and public health providers.
• Surescripts is a health information network for pharmacies, health plans, and technology vendors. It became a designated QHIN in early 2025.
• eClinicalWorks is an EHR vendor.

In addition, Oracle Health Information Network Inc. (OHIN), a subsidiary of Oracle Health, is in the process of becoming a QHIN under the TEFCA framework, and achieved “candidate” status in May. It’s now in the final testing and onboarding phase. This move aligns with Oracle’s strategy to improve interoperability and data access for patients and providers, and it follows other major EHR vendors in pursuing QHIN status.

OHIN is a national health data exchange network built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), designed to connect Oracle Health provider customers and facilitate secure sharing of patient data with other providers and payers throughout the United States, regardless of the EHR solution used.

USQHIN, a subsidiary of Velatura Public Benefit Corp., also submitted its formal application early in 2024 to become a QHIN. Velatura , which operates a nationwide network for health information exchange (HEI) and healthcare IT, was established in 2018 by the Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN) to extend its interoperability products and services beyond Michigan.

Strategic Advantages of Becoming a QHIN

Companies want to become a QHIN because it provides a competitive advantage through increased market share, streamlined nationwide data exchange, and compliance with federal regulations. Strategic benefits include: 

• Expansion of network and services. By connecting to other QHINs, a company gains immediate, nationwide access to a broad ecosystem of healthcare providers, payers, and public health agencies. This expands a company’s market reach and allows it to offer more comprehensive services.
• Enhanced data analytics. Access to more complete patient records allows for more robust data analytics, which can support population health initiatives and identify care gaps.
• Increased efficiency and reduced costs. QHINs eliminate the need for complex, one-off connections between healthcare organizations. This streamlines administrative processes, reduces inefficiencies, and lowers the cost of data exchange.
• New business opportunities. Becoming a QHIN creates a new revenue stream and increases its relevance in the healthcare technology landscape.
• Reputation and trust. The rigorous federal vetting process to become a QHIN signals that a company is a secure, compliant, and trustworthy partner. This helps build its brand and attract new customers and partners. 

The number of designated QHINs has grown steadily since the TEFCA was launched in late 2023, and the official Recognized Coordinating Entity continues to accept and review new applications.

However, some healthcare organizations are hesitant to join TEFCA. Simply doing the technical and operational preparation can seem daunting. Also, the QHIN framework imposes obligations that differ from HIPAA requirements. And participation agreements include liability provisions that could create exposure for downstream breaches or misrouting. Pressure to join may come to bear as the industry continues to consolidate and increase interoperability.