Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does electronic case reporting (eCR) work?

A provider/facility's electronic health record (EHR) system produces an electronic initial case report (eICR) based on codes embedded within the EHR. The Reportable Conditions Knowledge Management System (RCKMS), operated through the APHL Informatics Messaging Service (AIMS) platform, authenticates the eICR to determine reportability based on state-specific guidelines. If the eICR is deemed reportable, the AIMS platform will forward the report to the public health agency.

2. What is the difference between electronic lab reporting (ELR) and electronic case reporting (eCR)?

Electronic lab reporting (ELR) is the transmission of laboratory reports that identify reportable conditions from laboratories to public health agencies, while electronic case reporting (eCR) is the automatic generation of an electronic initial case report (eICR) from a provider/facility's EHR system and transmission to a public health agency for review. Since providers interact directly with patients on a larger scale than laboratories, this provides eCR with the ability to collect more meaningful data, which can aid in the promotion of the welfare of a population, better protect the population from environmental hazards and infectious diseases, and to provide resources that can provide access to quality care to at-risk communities. eCR is not intended to replace ELR or to serve as a substitute for any ELR requirements.

3. How does eCR benefit healthcare providers?

eCR allows healthcare providers to satisfy their mandated reported requirements to the NYSDOH and to allow for much faster, accurate, and reliable measures than traditional manual reporting. eCR also enables eligible providers and facilities to satisfy the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulatory requirements for the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange objective for the Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program, and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

4. How does eCR benefit public health agencies?

Electronic case reporting (eCR) provides reporting of communicable disease events that is more accurate, complete, and timely than traditional manual reporting, which allows for improved data surveillance.

5. How can I commence preparation of eCR implementation at my practice/facility?

Please contact your EHR vendor or in-house representative directly to confirm your organization's compliance with HL7 standards and eCR readiness.

6. How do I register for eCR, and what information is required?

Providers and facilities can register for eCR through this link: eCR Registration Form. Using this form, please provide a designated contact name, phone number, email address, provider/facility names and NPI numbers, and the name of your EHR vendor.

7. Is reporting eCR data required by law?

Reporting via eCR is not currently mandated by New York State law, but it is required in order to receive Promoting Interoperability (PI) funds from the CMS.

8. Does the NYSDOH provide attestation documentation for the Promoting Interoperability (previously Meaningful Use) measure requiring active engagement with a Public Health Agency (PHA)?

Upon receiving the submitted registration form, a representative from the NYSECR team (nysecr@health.ny.gov) will provide an attestation letter to the healthcare organization as proof of active engagement.

9. Where can I find a list of reportable conditions?

You can find a list of communicable diseases that are reportable in NYS here: Communicable Disease Reporting Requirements. Most facilities are onboarding with only COVID-19 and Monkeypox/Orthopox to start.

10. How long do we have to report all conditions?

Upon registering for eCR submission, healthcare organizations have one year to begin submitting data for all reportable conditions.

Important Information

  1. Please do not discontinue using your existing method for reporting conditions until you receive official authorization from the NYSDOH.
  2. The NYSDOH uses HL7 eICR standards (R1.1 and R3.1) for eCR in support of communicable disease reporting and the new CMS Promoting Interoperability guidelines. The use of APHL’s AIMS platform and the Reportable Condition Knowledge Management System (RCKMS) is required. These standards will be used to eventually eliminate the manual reporting requirements. You can find updated information on these standards here: eicrdataneedsv8.xlsx (live.com)
  3. New York State is ONLY accepting eCR data through the AIMS platform.
  4. Please allow 3-5 business days to receive your attestation letter.
  5. If you have any further questions or concerns, please email the New York State eCR (NYSECR) team at nysecr@health.ny.gov.