Updated Information Blocking Policy Template Available


New Federal Information Blocking Regulations – Information Blocking is generally a practice that, except as required by law or covered by an exception, is likely to interfere with access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI). The intent of the information blocking regulations (part of the 21st Century Cures Act) is to remove barriers to patient access to healthcare and improve interoperability between systems with the goal of better individual and population health. Examples include:
  • Hospital policies or procedures that require personnel to obtain an individual’s written consent before sharing the individual’s EHI with unaffiliated providers for treatment purposes even if obtaining such consent is not required by state or federal law.
  • Patients or healthcare providers become “locked in” to a particular technology or healthcare network because their electronic health information is not portable.
  • A healthcare provider has the capability to provide same-day access to EHI in a form and format requested by a patient’s healthcare provider, but takes several days to respond.

Physicians need to review current HIPAA policies for areas that may need to be revised and/or implement a stand-alone policy. OSMA is pleased to provide you with the UPDATED Information Blocking Policy template to assist in your efforts.