MCLEAN, Va. – September 27, 2011 – Cognosante, a leading provider of health IT services to state and federal agencies and regional health organizations, has been awarded a contract with the state of Alaska to conduct evaluation, technical assistance and consulting services for the state’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) system. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue our partnership with the state of Alaska,” shared Cognosante Managing Director Jarred Clark. “The Health Information Exchange is critical to improving access and quality of care for all Alaskans, and we are honored to be chosen to perform these services.” Under the contract, Cognosante will conduct an evaluation of Alaska’s statewide HIE capabilities and annual state health information technology (HIT) operations, and provide strategic plan updates for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The effort also includes alignment of HIT operations and strategic plan updates with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Implementation Advance Planning Document, HIT resource assessments, and ongoing technical assistance and consulting services, including providing a national perspective on HIE initiatives.