Resources regarding the ONC and CMS final regulations aimed at improving interoperability and patient access to electronic health information.
The 21st Century Cures Act required the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) to develop regulations to improve interoperability and patient access to electronic health information and deter information blocking. Information blocking is the act of intentionally withholding patient information, which includes when an entity within the health care system interferes with, prevents, or discourages the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI). Physicians, hospitals, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, health information exchanges (HIE) and health information networks (HIN), referred to collectively as “actors,” are all subject to ONC's information blocking regulations. The resources below provide additional information to help members comply with information blocking compliance requirements as regulators continue to implement the Cures Act.
New Electronic Health Information (EHI) Data Sharing Requirements
Since April 2021, EHI has been limited to the data elements represented in Version 1 of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) standard: consultation notes, discharge summary notes, history and physical, imaging narratives, laboratory report narratives, pathology report narratives, procedure notes, and progress notes. On October 6, 2022, the definition of EHI will expand to include any electronic, individually identifiable health information included in the designated record set per HIPAA access requirements. Physicians and their care teams will be responsible for the access, exchange, or use of each patient’s entire EHI, no longer limited to just the USCDI elements.
Things to Know about Information Blocking
Overview of the regulation, key dates, what is expected of physicians, and additional resources.
FAQs
- To Block or Not Block (Info Blocking Exceptions)
Describes the various exceptions to claim and document if deciding not to share information.
- EHR and Health IT System Updates
Describes EHR functionality needed and highlights questions to ask your vendor.
- Patient Access
Describes how to address questions and concerns around patients’ increased access to health information.
Information Blocking Key Terms and Acronyms
Key terms, definitions, and acronyms associated with the regulations.
More Resources
- ACP Resources
- Summary of the ONC 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program Final Regulation
- Summary of the CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Regulation
- Information Blocking Resource Center – ACP’s collaboration with CHIMA, AMA, AHIMA, MGMA, and others on resource center to help clinicians with the Information Blocking rule regulations.
- ONC Regulations
- EHI Fact Sheet and Blog Post
- Information Blocking
- Information Blocking FAQ
- Permitted Uses and Disclosures: Exchange for Health Care Operations
- Permitted Uses and Disclosures: Exchange for Treatment
- Information Blocking
- Guide to Privacy and Security of Health Information - This ONC instructional guide is designed to help practices understand the important role privacy and security play in the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and Promoting Interoperability.
- EHI Fact Sheet and Blog Post
- HHS Resources