Massachusetts eHealth Institute

What Massachusetts eHealth Institute does

Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) is a designated state agency and division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), created by Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2008 and extended by Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012, and serving as the public lead for the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative since 2016. The organization operates as an ecosystem-orchestration platform for the state's digital health cluster, running programs that source, fund, and validate digital health startups (Digital Health Sandbox Program, themed challenges), support workforce development (Health IT Mentorship Program, Hack the Health Gap), and drive adoption of emerging technologies in safety-net provider settings (SHINE-HT for FQHCs, Health AI Initiative, Health AI Assurance Lab).

Its core technology footprint centers on Mass HIway, the statewide Health Information Exchange launched in 2012 and upgraded to HIway 2.0 in 2018 on Orion Health's Communicate platform; HIway supports FHIR-based interoperability, Direct Messaging, Provider Directory 2.0, and public health reporting to DPH. MeHI also operates the ePOLST electronic registry (statewide rollout planned April 2027), the Health AI Assurance Lab jointly with UMass Chan Medical School and MITRE, and a Digital Health Sandbox Network that expanded to 11 members in May 2026.

The revenue model is non-commercial: MeHI is funded through state appropriations and federal HITECH matching via MassTech, with no products sold to customers. Quantified funding leverage includes $5M in state funding drawing over $40M in federal Mass HIway support. Grant programs distribute funds to startups (challenge awards of $50K-$100K, rolling sandbox grants up to $60K), and the program portfolio reaches digital health startups, FQHCs (50 sites), 79 hospitals, 11 sandbox facilities, and a ~375-company stakeholder ecosystem in Massachusetts.

Name

Massachusetts eHealth Institute

Legal name

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

Website

https://mehi.masstech.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital health ecosystem programs and health information exchange services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

HIE Platforms & Network Services (Community/Regional/National) (HLACABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interoperability Standards, Profiles & Implementation (HL7/FHIR/IHE) (HLACABAA), Public Health & Immunization Data Exchange (ELR, case reporting, registry reporting) (HLACABAL), Health Information Exchange & Public Health Data Integration (HLAJAJAD), Monitoring, Evaluation, Performance Management & Quality Improvement (HLAJAMAJ)

Keywords

• Health information exchange
• Digital health innovation
• Health IT infrastructure
• Digital health sandbox
• Health IT workforce

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: MeHI is a state agency funded through Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). Primary funding sources include state appropriations and federal HITECH funding. MeHI leverages state funding to attract federal matching funds for health IT initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MeHI is the designated Massachusetts state agency for digital health and health IT, delivering a portfolio of grant-funded programs and infrastructure services. It administers the Digital Health Sandbox Program and themed Challenge competitions to fund startups, runs workforce development programs (Health IT Mentorship and Workforce Initiative), supports FQHC technology adoption via the SHINE-HT Program, convenes the Health AI Initiative with the Health AI Assurance Lab, and operates the Mass HIway statewide Health Information Exchange providing Direct Messaging, Provider Directory, and Public Health Reporting services to healthcare organizations.

Product overview

MeHI (Massachusetts eHealth Institute) operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs and infrastructure services rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the Digital Health Sandbox Program, which provides funding and sandbox access to digital health startups through challenge competitions (Primary Care Innovation, AHEM, Women+ Health, Healthy Aging, Medicaid) and rolling grants; Health IT Mentorship and Workforce Initiatives connecting students with industry professionals; and critical health IT infrastructure including the Mass HIway (statewide HIE on Orion Health's platform), ePOLST registry (launching 2027), and Healthcare Provider Cybersecurity Monthly Calls. The SHINE-HT Program specifically supports FQHCs in adopting AI solutions. The Health AI Initiative and Health AI Assurance Lab (jointly with UMass Chan and MITRE) advance AI adoption. Hack the Health Gap Innovation Hackathon engages students in solving rural health challenges. Together, these programs form an integrated ecosystem supporting the Massachusetts digital health industry from innovation through adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital Health Sandbox Program: Program administered by MeHI to support digital health companies in product development and expand the user base for sandbox environments, providing grants of up to $60,000 to subsidize sandbox fees
• Health IT Mentorship Program
• SHINE-HT Program
• Mass HIway
• ePOLST
• Hack the Health Gap Innovation Program
• Health AI Initiative

Products and services

• Digital Health Sandbox Program A program administered by MeHI that connects digital health startups with cutting-edge research and development facilities (sandboxes) to test and validate products, including challenge programs, rolling grants up to $60,000, and mentorship. Targeted at Massachusetts digital health startups.
• Health IT Mentorship Program Pairs Massachusetts college students with health IT professionals for project-based mentorship over three months, culminating in a virtual showcase; mentees are eligible for a $250 stipend upon completion. Targeted at Massachusetts college students pursuing health IT careers and at health IT professionals willing to mentor.
• SHINE-HT Program (Stronger & Healthier communities through INtegration of Emerging Health Tech) Stronger & Healthier communities through INtegration of Emerging Health Tech — a program helping Federally Qualified Health Centers adopt AI and health tech solutions, including ambient scribing, AI call centers, scheduling, and prior authorization tools. Targeted at Massachusetts FQHCs and the pre-qualified Implementation Partners that serve them.
• Mass HIway (statewide Health Information Exchange) Massachusetts's statewide health information exchange enabling secure electronic transfer of clinical and patient data among healthcare entities; HIway 2.0 is based on Orion Health's Communicate platform and includes Direct Messaging, Provider Directory, and Public Health Reporting services. Targeted at Massachusetts hospitals, providers, and public health agencies.
• ePOLST Registry Electronic Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment registry providing bidirectional exchange for submitting and retrieving advanced care planning documents. Targeted at Massachusetts healthcare providers and patients undergoing advanced care planning; statewide launch planned for April 2027.
• Health AI Initiative MeHI convenes stakeholders to promote collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, government, and investors to ensure AI technologies improve health outcomes for all patients regardless of background. Targeted at researchers, digital health startups, government, and investors working on AI in healthcare.
• Workforce Initiative Includes the Digital Health Jobs Board, Health IT Jobs Board, Health IT Mentorship Program, and Sandbox Mentorship Program to bolster and diversify the health IT and digital health workforce in Massachusetts. Targeted at Massachusetts workers, students, and digital health employers.
• Hack the Health Gap Innovation Hackathon Semester-long collaboration with MCPHS University connecting students with real-world healthcare challenges in rural communities, public health systems, and community-based care delivery. Targeted at college students and academic partners.
• Digital Health Sandbox Challenge Programs Annual challenge competitions that source, support, and validate digital health solutions in defined priority areas; includes Primary Care Innovation, AHEM (Advancing Health Equity), Women+ Health, Healthy Aging, and Medicaid challenges with grant funding for winners. Targeted at digital health startups with solutions in the relevant priority areas.
• Healthcare Provider Cybersecurity Monthly Calls Monthly cybersecurity calls hosted by MeHI and MassCyberCenter on the second Thursday of each month, featuring threat updates from DHS and the Commonwealth Fusion Center plus rotating topics on cybersecurity best practices. Targeted at Massachusetts healthcare providers.
• Health AI Assurance Lab First-of-its-kind facility in Massachusetts jointly operated by UMass Chan Medical School and MITRE, aimed at improving safety and effectiveness of AI technology in healthcare. Targeted at AI healthcare developers requiring AI assurance evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• MeHI leveraged $5 million in state funding to attract over $40 million in federal funding for Mass HIway
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration23 records

AI capability10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Lahey Innovation Hub at Lahey Hospital & Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026New member of Digital Health Sandbox Network providing startups with access to Lahey's research infrastructure, The Lahey Institute for Healthcare Delivery Science partnership with UMass Chan Medical School, Simulation Center for training, and laboratory/diagnostic services. Joins network of 11 sandbox members.
• Massachusetts League of Community Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026New member of Digital Health Sandbox Network serving as centralized resource to match startups with 50 FQHCs, enabling testing with EHR systems and access to aggregated data from 26 health centers. Collaborated with MeHI on SHINE-HT program listening sessions.
• UMass Chan Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Joint effort with MITRE on Health AI Assurance Lab - first-of-its-kind in Massachusetts aiming to improve safety and effectiveness of AI technology in healthcare. Also serves as sandbox partner for multiple challenge winners.
• MITREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Joint effort with UMass Chan Medical School on Health AI Assurance Lab. Also serves as sandbox partner for companies like Mae Health and conducted research with Onward on transportation barriers impact on health.
• Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOne of nine pre-qualified Implementation Partners for SHINE-HT program with experience leading implementations of health technologies for community-based healthcare organizations.
• 43 Strategic ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program.
• ClinovationsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program. Selected by Codman Square Health Center as implementation partner for prior authorization pilot.
• Community Technology CooperativeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program.
• Facktor HealthminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program.
• FASTX PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program. Selected by HealthFirst Family Care Center as implementation partner.
• OCHINminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program.
• Phicili-tate ChangeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPre-qualified Implementation Partner for SHINE-HT program.
• Codman Square Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFQHC pilot site for SHINE-HT program, piloting BridgeHealthAI technology for prior authorization with Clinovations as implementation partner.
• HealthFirst Family Care CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFQHC pilot site for SHINE-HT program, piloting BridgeHealthAI technology for prior authorization with FastX Partners as implementation partner.
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemester-long collaboration on Hack the Health Gap Innovation Program connecting students with real-world healthcare challenges in rural communities. Students develop solutions through team-based projects with expert mentorship.
• MassCyberCentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts monthly healthcare provider cybersecurity calls with MeHI. Collaboration on cybersecurity initiatives for healthcare providers across Massachusetts.
• MassChallengemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages and operates programming through digital health innovation hub established in partnership with City of Boston and MACP as part of Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative launched in 2016.
• Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)coreOthersMeHI is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), an economic development agency. MeHI serves as the public lead for the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative.
• Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (SHINE-HT Listening Sessions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on five listening sessions at FQHCs across Massachusetts in September-October 2025 to identify health tech needs and pain points. Identified six priority use cases for health technology solutions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC): NYeC is a not-for-profit designated by New York State to operate the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY) and convene the digital health ecosystem. It is the most direct functional peer to MeHI, mirroring the statewide HIE operator + innovation convening role on a larger population scale.
• CRISP (Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients): CRISP operates the statewide health information exchange for Maryland and surrounding regions, providing clinical data exchange, encounter notification, and population health analytics. It is structurally analogous to Mass HIway — a regional/statewide HIE utility serving hospitals, providers, and public health agencies.
• HealthCurrent (formerly Health Information Network of Arizona): HealthCurrent is Arizona's statewide health information exchange, recently merged with Contexture to provide HIE services plus health innovation programs across Arizona and Colorado. Its dual role of HIE operator and innovation ecosystem builder closely parallels MeHI's mandate.
• Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE): IHIE operates one of the largest U.S. health information exchanges, serving Indiana and adjacent states with clinical messaging, results delivery, and population health tools. Comparable to MeHI's Mass HIway in serving as the backbone interoperability layer for a state's providers.
• Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN): DHIN is Delaware's statewide health information exchange, designated by state statute to operate community health records and clinical data exchange. It is a direct structural peer — a state-designated HIE utility operating under public authority, similar to Mass HIway.
• CORHIO (Colorado Regional Health Information Organization): CORHIO operates a regional health information exchange serving Colorado providers, now part of Contexture. It is functionally comparable to Mass HIway in providing HIE infrastructure, plus innovation programming similar to MeHI's Sandbox Network model.
• Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network (WISHIN): WISHIN is a Wisconsin-based statewide HIE providing clinical messaging and patient record exchange to providers across the state. Comparable to Mass HIway as a state-level HIE utility with public-sector governance and provider connectivity mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC): ONC is the federal agency that sets national health IT policy, standards, and certification — including the HITECH funding that MeHI leverages. It is a broader incumbent operating at the national level that defines the regulatory and funding environment in which MeHI and its peers operate.

Emerging players

• MATTER: MATTER is a Chicago-based healthcare innovation hub that convenes startups, providers, and industry partners to accelerate digital health adoption. Comparable to MeHI's role as a digital health ecosystem builder and convening body, though operating as a private non-profit rather than a state agency.

Others

• MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a global startup accelerator that operates a digital health innovation hub in Boston as a MeHI channel partner. It serves an overlapping startup ecosystem and acts as a delivery partner for MeHI programs rather than a direct competitor — useful as a downstream channel comparison for ecosystem-building scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/massehealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/massachusetts-technology-collaborative
• Instagraminstagram.com/masstechcollaborative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts eHealth Institute