Cat Kirkland published an article titled "Prepare Your Practice for Expanded Information Blocking Requirements" in the Medical Association of the State of Alabama's News Center. 

Excerpt from the article:

"Is your practice ready? Starting October 6, 2022, physicians and group practices will be required to make full electronic health information available for access, exchange, and use to patients (among others) in a reasonable manner. This deadline marks the end of a multi-year phase-in from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of “information blocking” rules set forth in the 21st Century Cures Act Interoperability and Information Blocking Regulations.

The Cures Act defines information blocking as “a practice by an actor that is likely to interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI), except as required by law or specified in an information blocking exception.” Physicians, hospitals, and group practices, among many other provider types, are all specifically defined as “actors” under the Act and are therefore subject to the regulations. The Act defines EHI as information contained within a designated record set, which for a physician or group practice would include medical records, billing records, and other documents used by the physician or practice in conjunction with patient care (ex: scans received, emergency department records, etc.)."

To read the full article, click here.