A New Rule for a New Era in Healthcare

Following an extensive review and comment period by the industry, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the 21^st Century Cures Act Final Rule related to the exchange of electronic health information. The rule on Interoperability, Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program, issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), is intended to clarify and help realize the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act, which was enacted with bipartisan support in 2016.

Surescripts supports the goal of this rule, to support seamless and secure access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. Based on our experience building and operating a nationwide, interoperable network for nearly 20 years, we recognize the important role we play in supporting and enabling our partners in the Surescripts Network Alliance.

We look forward to reviewing and analyzing the rule over the coming days and weeks and talking with our customers as they do the same. This is a complex undertaking that will require the healthcare marketplace to work together to foster innovation while supporting secure, standards-based information exchange.

At Surescripts, we are optimistic about the future and about continuing to work with ONC and our customers to support the secure exchange of health information to improve patient safety, lower costs and ensure quality care.