The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently introduced the HTI-2 rule, aimed at improving the sharing and security of health information by setting new technology standards.
The HHS, through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), recently introduced HTI-2, a rule to “improve patient engagement, information sharing, and public health interoperability.”
The ruling will enhance how patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and public health organizations share and use health information. Ultimately, HTI-2 aims to increase transparency for patients and improve communication, utilizing a new certification process to help standardize hospital communication.
The criteria focus on improving public health responses and value-based healthcare through better data exchange systems.
The rule also proposes several updates to technology standards, such as the ability to share clinical images and the inclusion of multi-factor authentication to enhance security. There's also a focus on clear, long-term planning with new data interoperability standards for 2028.
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HTI-1 was released in late 2023 and introduced new transparency requirements for AI and regulations for information blocking, ultimately laying the groundwork for initial standards and certification programs.
It focused on making it easier for different parts of the healthcare system—like doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies—to connect and exchange data securely. It aimed to support a more interconnected and transparent healthcare system, helping to improve the way care is delivered and managed across the board.
Now, HTI-2 improves upon the older ruling by requiring interoperability and the certification process. It also provides certain exceptions to information blocking, allowing more flexibility for providers to share data in the interest of their patients.
Related: What is information blocking?
In the HHS press release, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated: “The Biden-Harris Administration has been working to expand interoperability and improve transparency when it comes to electronic health information. Now we are building on that work to ensure that the entire system that supports patients and providers utilizes the best technology available in a safe and responsible way.”
Dr. Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, added, “The HTI-2 proposed rule is a tour de force. We have harnessed all the tools at ONC’s disposal to advance HHS-wide interoperability priorities. As always, we look forward to reviewing public comments and engaging with the health IT community in the weeks and months ahead.”
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Interoperability is the ability of different healthcare systems and software to exchange information efficiently and accurately.
HTI-2 builds on the efforts of HTI-1 to improve transparency regarding basic pricing and quality information. HTI-2 is expanding on these efforts with more enforcement mechanisms and specificity.