HHS Proposes New Steps to Dissuade Blocking of Health Data

Health-care providers caught wrongfully blocking access to electronic health information could face additional administrative actions under a Biden administration proposal announced Monday.

The proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (RIN: 0955-AA05) targets health-care providers that the HHS Office of Inspector General finds have wrongfully blocked access to health information. Information blocking includes things like a provider interfering with access or use of health information.

The move marks the latest attempt by the HHS to discourage information blocking. The HHS OIG previously issued a final rule that left health IT developers and others open to $1 ...