Leading Stories

New rule prohibits ‘information blocking’ & allows patients greater access to records

By Catherine Robertson Souter

On April 5, a new rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services took effect that could impact mental health care professionals’ use of electronic health records (EHR). The ruling prohibits “information blocking,” or any practice that might restrict a patient’s or other health care entity’s ability to immediately access health records. The rule does not change any HIPAA patient harm and privacy protections, but it does eliminate the 30-day allowance provided in that act for responding to patients’ requests for access to their electronic records. Enacted as part of the 2016 21st Century Cures Act, the information [More]

Tags: patients, access, information blocking, electronic health information, records, HIPAA
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