Epic Health Systems Begin Sharing Patient Records with SSA via TEFCA to Speed Disability Decisions
A growing number of healthcare organizations using Epic Systems are now exchanging patient medical records directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA) through the nationwide interoperability framework known as Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
The new connection enables faster, secure data sharing aimed at accelerating disability benefit determinations for millions of Americans.
Expanding Network: Hospitals and Clinics Join TEFCA Exchange
Currently, 13 hospitals and 374 clinics have begun sharing records with SSA through TEFCA. Among the participating health systems are:
- AltaMed (Los Angeles, California)
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services (Shawnee, Oklahoma)
- Overlake Hospital Medical Center (Bellevue, Washington)
- Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Valleywise Health (Phoenix, Arizona)
According to Epic, TEFCA provides a more streamlined and scalable approach to interoperability, making it easier for healthcare organizations to connect and exchange data securely.
Faster Decisions, Better Outcomes
The integration builds on years of electronic data exchange between providers and SSA through networks such as Carequality and eHealth Exchange. Over the past 15 years, Epic customers have shared more than 11 million patient records with SSA, including nearly 500,000 individuals in the past year alone.
This level of interoperability has already demonstrated significant impact. In some cases, disability benefit approvals have been completed within a single business day, dramatically reducing wait times for patients.
Healthcare leaders say this speed is critical. Faster access to benefits allows patients to focus on treatment, manage chronic conditions, and improve their overall well-being.
Organizations like OCHIN report measurable health improvements among patients with disabilities when access to benefits is expedited through secure data exchange.
TEFCA’s Growing Role in Nationwide Interoperability
Since its launch three years ago, TEFCA has steadily expanded as a cornerstone of the U.S. interoperability strategy.
Major health systems—including Mount Sinai, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford Health—were among the early adopters joining Epic’s Qualified Health Information Network, Epic Nexus.
Within two years, Epic reported that more than 1,000 hospitals and 22,000 clinics were exchanging patient data through TEFCA.
The framework has also enabled new innovations. Recently, Epic partnered with organizations such as HealthEx to launch a patient authentication platform under TEFCA’s Individual Access Service, allowing individuals to retrieve their medical records across multiple providers.
Addressing Longstanding SSA Challenges
For SSA, improving access to medical records has long been a priority. Prior to TEFCA, the agency handled requests for more than 15 million medical records annually from approximately 500,000 providers, often creating bottlenecks in disability determinations.
The shift to TEFCA-supported electronic exchange is expected to significantly reduce these delays by enabling real-time access to patient data.
Complementing Broader Federal Initiatives
Federal health IT leaders emphasize that TEFCA plays a complementary role alongside newer initiatives such as the CMS Health Technology Ecosystem, launched in 2025 with a focus on FHIR-based and consumer-mediated data exchange.
Officials describe TEFCA as a foundational infrastructure that broadly connects healthcare networks, while CMS-aligned initiatives push rapid innovation and targeted advancements.
Industry and Government Perspective
SSA leadership highlighted the importance of digital transformation in improving service delivery.
By leveraging national interoperability frameworks and working closely with EHR providers, the agency aims to ensure that Americans receive disability benefits more quickly and efficiently.
