Health providers get clearer rules for sharing patient data through the new federal system

US health regulators just clarified when healthcare providers can block electronic health information. This means providers who use the new federal exchange system have clearer guidelines for sharing patient data.

For years, healthcare providers have struggled with rules about sharing patient data, often citing privacy concerns to avoid it. These new definitions mean that if providers use the federal system for data exchange, they have a clearer path to share information without violating 'information blocking' rules. This could make it easier for patients to get their full health records from different doctors and hospitals.