The AAMC submitted Oct. 4 comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) /Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in response to the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability (HTI) proposed rule to address patient engagement, information sharing, and public health interoperability [refer to Washington Highlights, July 12].
The letter echoed the ASTP/ONC’s commitment to advancing interoperable health IT to support population health and research but recommended the ATSP/ONC balance its HTI rulemaking cycles, implementing technical improvements along with downstream costs and burden on health care systems and clinicians. Specific to certification standards to improve prior authorization processing and benefit transparency, the letter strongly supported standardized electronic capabilities to improve patient care and encouraged the ASTP/ONC to collaborate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to require regulated payers to adopt and use certified health IT modules as a condition of their participation in CMS programs. The letter also expressed strong support to modernize public health through advanced data science capabilities and interoperability. Regarding information blocking, comments encouraged the ASTP/ONC to adopt new exceptions to safeguard sensitive health information and protect access to care.