HHS extends comment period for proposed rules to improve the interoperability of electronic health information
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has just announced that it will extend the public comment period by 30 days on two regulation proposals that would promote the interoperability of health information technology (health IT) and enable patients to electronically access their health information.
The new deadline for the submission of comments – June 3, 2019 – will allow additional time for the public to review the proposed regulations.
In February, HHS announced two proposed rules to support the seamless and secure access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. In its news release, HHS says the rules would increase choice and competition while fostering innovation that promotes patient electronic access to and control over their health information. Together the proposed rules address both technical and healthcare industry factors that create barriers to the interoperability of health information and limit a patient’s ability to access essential health information. Addressing those challenges will help to drive an interoperable health IT infrastructure across systems, enabling healthcare providers and patients to have access to health data when and where it is needed.
This extension responds to requests from a variety of stakeholders, including healthcare provider organizations and industry representatives. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and ONC understand that both rules include a range of issues having major effects on healthcare. The extension of the public comment deadline will maximize the opportunity for meaningful input and further the overall objective to obtain public input on the proposed provisions to move the healthcare ecosystem in the direction of interoperability.
