Tick, tick, tick: Interoperability deadline looms for providers

Interoperability allows a free flow of medical information between providers. Too often, for example, a primary care physician cannot access information about their patient that’s kept in the computer system of the nearby hospital and vice versa.

COVID-19 underscored the knowledge gaps a lack of such interoperability can create. Legislators said enough is enough and included stipulations about interoperability in the 21st Century Cures Act. The Cures Act Final Rule (PDF) promises to “make sure health information follows a patient by preventing industrywide information blocking practices and other anti-competitive behavior by those entrusted to hold...