Hospitals, health IT face HHS crackdown for blocking electronic records

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is stepping up its enforcement against hospitals and other health entities that block the sharing of electronic health records.

HHS says Information blocking, prohibited under the 21st Century Cures Act, occurs when hospitals, health care providers, or health IT entities knowingly interfere with or discourage the sharing of electronic health information, according to an enforcement alert issued Thursday. It warned that “voluntary compliance now can prevent serious consequences later.” 

“The availability of electronic health information when and where it is needed is a critical element of a high-functioning health care system,” the agency said. “Information blocking threatens patient care and undermines efforts by providers, payers, and others to make the health system more efficient and to improve quality of care. It puts at risk the substantial taxpayer investments made to encourage and support the adoption and use of technologies such as electronic health records.”