ONC for HIT Announces Extension of Compliance Deadlines

November 1, 2020

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) announced it is extending compliance deadlines for certain information blocking and health IT certification requirements. Originally, ONC’s Information Blocking Rule required all Actors—including physicians and hospitals—to come into compliance with information blocking requirements by November 2, 2020. Responding to the AMA’s advocacy efforts requesting additional time and flexibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ONC’s interim final rule now pushes the information blocking compliance date to April 5, 2021.

In anticipation of physician compliance with ONC’s information blocking rule, the AMA has created a two-part educational resource. Part 1 outlines what information blocking is, key terms to know, examples of information blocking practices, and a summary of exceptions for when physicians may restrict access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. Part 2 will help physicians start down the path of compliance, including questions to consider, considerations for maintaining a compliance program, and next steps. The AMA will continue to update these resources as the federal government releases new guidance.

Part 1: What is Information Blocking

Part 2: How do I comply with Information Blocking and where do I start?