The ONC Cures Act Final Rule implements interoperability requirements to empower patients with their health care, and access to information is key to making that happen. ONC defines information blocking as a practice by a health IT developer of certified health IT, health information network, health information exchange, or health care provider that, except as required by law or specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a reasonable and necessary activity, is likely to interfere with access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI).
Clinics will need to comply with new patient access (information blocking) rules with their electronic health information starting April 5, 2021.
Leverage tools available with MediSYS for compliance such as:
- Automating documents to go to patient portal
- Directing patients to the portal as a resource
- CC referring doctors
- Train staff on timeline rules – https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/info-blocking-compliance.pdf
Up-to-date guidance on information blocking is available on ONC’s website: https://www.healthit.gov/curesrule/resources/information-blocking-faqs