Resources To Help You Comply With Information Blocking Rules
Federal requirements are aimed at increasing access to patient data. Providers need to understand what’s expected of them.
Physical therapists share data with patients, other health care providers, and health plans. That’s why it’s critical that you understand information blocking rules established by the HHS Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, or ONC.
ONC defines information blocking as “practices likely to interfere with, prevent or materially discourage access, exchange or use of electronic health information.” The rule defines what electronic health information health care providers and other entities must make available, and establishes eight exceptions to the rule.
The bottom line: A thorough understanding of what information blocking means, and how you can comply with the rule, is an essential part of PT practice.
APTA offers an information blocking webpage that explains the concept and outlines the rule. Here are some recommended resources that can help you comply with the requirements.
An information blocking resource center.
The Sequoia Project, a nonprofit that advances implementation of secure, interoperable nationwide health information exchange, offers an easy-to-follow webpage with multiple resources that include a compliance boot camp and toolkit.
Information blocking answers.
What data are covered? How does this affect EHRs? What are the penalties for information blocking? This Advisory Board webpage dives into some of the most important provider questions.
A “cheat sheet” on information blocking.
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives document explores the information blocking rule, with special attention paid to the eight exceptions established by ONC.
Definitions of terms.
The information blocking rule includes terminology that may or may not be familiar. This overview from the Faegre Drinker law firm includes helpful definitions.
Graphics that help explain the rule.
In addition to an explanation of the information blocking rule, this article from the journal of the American Health Information Management Association includes two useful infographics explaining how the rule works and how it was developed.
A quick read on navigating the rule.
HealthLeaders Media published an article that not only explains the rule but offers tips on how to ensure compliance, all in a fairly short, easy-to-read format.
An explanation and “to-do” list.
This webpage from the Coker Group gets down to the basics of the information blocking rule and provides a list of suggestions for how providers can ensure compliance.
https://www.apta.org/article/
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