ONC has sent the “2015 Report to Congress on Health Information Blocking” http://healthit.gov/sites/default/files/reports/info_blocking_040915.pdf in answer to a request by Congress for ONC to report on the extent of health information blocking and develop a comprehensive strategy.
The report details ONC’s findings on the extent and nature of health information blocking as ONC determined by doing a detailed analysis on the issue. This information was gathered through complaints, anecdotes, empirical research, and discussions with industry over the past year.
There are many types of electronic health information, but many actions can prevent information from being exchanged that may result primarily from economic, technological, or practical challenges. This can prevent widespread and effective information sharing which is very important in today’s healthcare environment.
The actions that can prevent the exchange of information must be carefully balanced with the potential benefits from sharing data. In addition, it is important that certain constraints pertaining to the exchange of information are appropriate and necessary to comply with state and federal privacy laws.
The Report also provides criteria for identifying and distinguishing health information blocking from other barriers to interoperability and also describes the steps that the federal government can take to remedy the problem.
The Report’s discussion on the approach needed would be to:
- Develop and drive the consistent use of standards and standards-based technologies that enable interoperability
- Establish effective rules and mechanisms for electronic health information exchange
- Foster a business, clinical, cultural, and regulatory environment to help exchange electronic information
- Clarify requirements and expectations for secure and trusted exchange of electronic information
The report also discusses how ONC and other agencies within HHS should work collaboratively with the HHS Office for Civil Rights, Office of Inspector General, and CMS to help improve stakeholder understanding of HIPAA, provide information in the context of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Physician Self-Referral Law, and work to coordinate healthcare payment incentives to reward interoperability that at the same time, would discourage information blocking.