The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released on July 10 the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability (HTI-2) proposed rule, building on the HTI-1 final rule released in 2023 and additional information blocking rules released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and ONC in 2021.

Key provisions from the proposed rule include:

• New certification criteria for electronic health records (EHRs) designed to improve interoperability for health information technology (IT) systems used by public health systems and payers.
• Updates to technology and standards for certified EHRs ranging from the capability to exchange clinical images (e.g., X-rays) to the addition of multi-factor authentication support.
• Expansion of the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability data set.
• Updates to the Privacy, Infeasibility, and Requestor Preference Information Blocking Exceptions, and the creation of a new Protecting Care Access Exception.
• Alignment with EHR requirements and CMS Electronic Prior Authorization requirements.
• Revisions to the electronic prescribing certification criterion to include real-time prescription benefit tools.

Additional information, including the proposed rule and fact sheets, can be found on ONC's HTI-2 proposed rule website. ACC Advocacy staff will review the proposed rule and develop comments for submission within the 60-day comment period. Look for updated information on the ACC's Information Blocking Portal and in upcoming issues of The Advocate newsletter.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Electronic Health Records, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Prior Authorization