Direct Messaging on Healthie

Direct Messaging in Healthie enables providers and organizations to securely exchange clinical information with other healthcare entities, without relying on fax. Built on the DirectTrust framework, Direct Messaging ensures that all messages are encrypted, identity-verified, and HIPAA-compliant, supporting secure and interoperable communication across healthcare systems.

Overview

Healthie’s Direct Messaging feature allows your organization to send and receive clinical documents such as referrals, lab results, orders, and chart notes as structured electronic data instead of scanned fax attachments. This ensures that information is transmitted securely and can be directly incorporated into client health records, improving coordination of care and minimizing manual data entry.

Direct Messaging is available to organizations enrolled in Healthie’s Enterprise Plan as an annual add-on.

Key Benefits

• Secure by design: Uses end-to-end encryption and trusted identity verification (via DirectTrust).
• Interoperable: Enables data exchange with other ONC-certified EHR systems and providers with verified Direct addresses.
• Improves care coordination: Share and receive referrals, orders, or summaries of care directly from your EHR.
• Structured data integration: Transmitted data (e.g., allergies, medications, vitals) can automatically populate into your client’s record within Healthie.
• Compliance support: Helps organizations meet interoperability and data exchange requirements under federal guidelines (e.g., ONC Cures Act).

How It Works

Setup & Verification:

• Each organization enrolling in Direct Messaging receives a unique Direct address e.g.,

  direct@[yourorg].gethealthie.phimailbox.com

The application signer completes an identity verification process through EMR Direct (online or notarized mail submission).

Sending a Direct Message:

• Compose and send messages directly from the Healthie Direct Messaging dashboard.
• Attach CCDAs or other clinical documents.
• Enter the recipient’s Direct address (e.g., provider@organization.direct.com ).
• Messages are encrypted and transmitted via the DirectTrust network.

Receiving a Direct Message:

• Incoming messages are delivered to your organization’s Direct inbox in Healthie.
• Structured data and attachments are automatically parsed and displayed within the client’s chart.
• Messages also surface in Healthie’s API via the receivedDirectMessages  query.

Integration & Automation (for Developers):

Healthie’s API supports Direct Messaging programmatically:

• Send messages without using the UI.
• Retrieve message delivery statuses and errors.
• Receive incoming messages and attachments.
• Maintain full audit trails and integration logs.

Common Use Cases

• Sending structured referrals and CCDAs to partner providers
• Receiving admission/discharge/transfer (ADT) notifications from hospitals
• Sharing lab orders or imaging results electronically
• Exchanging continuity-of-care documents during patient transitions
• Meeting payer or network interoperability requirements

Fees & Pricing

Direct Messaging is available as an annual add-on for Healthie Enterprise customers.

Pricing is based on:

• The number of active billing NPIs in your organization.
• Annual setup and maintenance fees.
• Data usage (number of Direct messages sent and received per month).

Most organizations will not incur additional message-based fees. If message volume significantly exceeds expected use, EMR Direct may assess additional data charges.

Technical & Integration Notes

Enrollment Process

To enroll your organization in Direct Messaging:

1. Email hello@gethealthie.com with:
   • Organization name
   • NPI number (if available)

   • Preferred Direct address format:

     direct@[yourorg].gethealthie.phimailbox.com

   • Confirmation that your organization has completed the Direct Messaging application form

     Complete identity verification for the authorized signer:

   • Option 1: Complete online verification through EMR Direct’s secure portal
   • Option 2: Mail a notarized identity verification form to:

EMR Direct Registrar 16870 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 400 San Diego, CA 92127 Phone: (858) 367-0770  

2. Once verification is approved, your organization will receive:
   • Confirmation of your Direct certificate issuance
   • Access to your Direct inbox within Healthie
   • API credentials for programmatic Direct Messaging (if applicable)

Setup time varies based on organization size and provider count. Most implementations complete within 2–4 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General

Can every organization using Healthie have a Direct Messaging address?

Yes. Each organization that enrolls receives a unique address (e.g., direct@[yourorg].gethealthie.phimailbox.com ).

Can sub-organizations or multi-location groups have separate addresses?

Yes. Sub-organizations can (and should) have unique addresses to properly route messages such as ADTs.

Can I use my own Direct domain (not gethealthie.phimailbox.com )?

At this time, organizations must use the standard domain format.

Interoperability & Sending

Does the recipient need to have a Direct address?

Yes. Direct Messaging requires both sender and recipient to have registered Direct addresses within a certified EHR network.

What if the recipient doesn’t have a Direct address?

You’ll need to use another method (e.g., e-fax) to share clinical documents.

How can I find a provider’s Direct address?

Referral partners typically provide their Direct address directly, similar to sharing an email address.

Data & Usage

How much data does my organization need monthly?

Typical usage is estimated based on your active provider count. If your staffing changes, notify Healthie so we can adjust your data allocation.

Are there any per-message fees or minimum usage requirements?

No. However, excessive use may trigger review by EMR Direct.

Security & Compliance

How is identity verified for Direct Messaging?

The designated signer must complete identity verification either online or via notarized documentation submitted to EMR Direct.

Is Direct Messaging HIPAA-compliant?

Yes. All messages are encrypted and transmitted through the DirectTrust network with full HIPAA and ONC compliance.

Technical

Can Direct Messaging be tested in Staging?

No, Direct Messaging is only available in the Production environment.

What’s the expected delivery time?

Typically under one minute.

Where do incoming Direct Messages appear?

Messages are delivered to your Healthie Direct inbox and can also be retrieved via API.