The American College of Radiology declared that the federal government shall probably delay enforcing two of the latest interoperability rules because of the prolonged covid-19 pandemic.

National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and HHS finalized some rules in March 2020, circling November to be the earliest date possible for the enforcement. In part, the date gave a hinge to the Office of the Inspector General. Finishing rules to penalize groups not complying with data-sharing and information regulations.

On October 1, 2020, the ACR said, “while writing this, the OIG final regulations are yet to be submitted or published for the White House Office of Management and Budget for regulatory review. The date November 2020 to start is not feasible at this moment. Moreover, other agencies of the HHS, like CMS, etc., have not yet implemented the new disincentives explicitly for the provider-actors found in the violation of blocking provision of Cures information.

The ACR further said, “Thus, implementing Cures Sec. 4004 for HHS remains incomplete and continues to be so, with the possibility of further delay.”

The ONC submitted its Interim Final Rule to be reviewed by the OMB with a label that reads, “Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program: Extension of Compliance Dates and Timeframes in Response to the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency.” As per the ACR, this title indicated imminent extinction.

This, however, is not the first delay, there may be more. This enacts the provision of interoperability of the 21^st Century Cures Act. In April 2020, the Trump administration had pushed back penalties enforcing the same, citing concerns with the flexibility for the healthcare systems fighting with the covid-19 situation.

Meanwhile, the staff of the ACR Government Relation continues their communication with the HHS and stakeholders as they wait for future rules.

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