Information Blocking in Healthcare

Question

Instructions

Information blocking poses a threat to the benefits of EHRs and health IT. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) describes information blocking as the intentional and unreasonable blocking of health information among health IT systems. This practice does not include the blocking of information for health data privacy reasons or because of reasonable barriers. Federal organizations, including The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and ONC, have increased pressure on providers and health IT companies still engaging in information blocking. In addition to federal policies, incentive programs also underscore the importance of putting an end to information blocking. As part of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under the Quality Payment Program (QPP), providers must attest to the prevention of information blocking reporting requirements. There are several actions ONC and other federal agencies can take to address certain aspects of the information blocking problem.

These actions include:

Proposing new certification requirements that strengthen surveillance of certified health IT capabilities “in the field.” 

Proposing new transparency obligations for certified health IT developers that require disclosure of restrictions, limitations, and additional types of costs associated with certified health IT capabilities.

Specifying a nationwide governance framework for health information exchange that establishes clear principles about business, technical, and organizational practices related to interoperability and information sharing.

Working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to coordinate health care payment incentives and leverage other market drivers to reward interoperability and exchange and discourage information blocking.

Helping federal and state law enforcement agencies identify and effectively investigate information blocking in cases where such conduct may violate existing federal or state laws.

Working in concert with the HHS Office for Civil Rights to improve stakeholder understanding of the HIPAA Privacy and Security standards related to information sharing.

Reflect on ways to prevent Information blocking.

Include the following aspects in the discussion:

Choose one of the actions to address information blocking problem

Find two scholarly recent (less than three years) references about your chosen action

Summarize the action and explain how it can help with solving the issue

Discuss the reasons why providers and vendors are still engaging in information blocking and the impact on patient outcomes

Rubic:

Student focuses on the weekly topic, and articulates a viewpoint that is well-reasoned and clearly communicated.

Student’s post is of an appropriate length, is posted by the appropriate time, and credits any sources that have been referenced.