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Health Law Highlights

Feds Announce Final Penalties for Information Blocking. Hospitals and Medical Groups Aren’t Happy

Summary of article from Chief Healthcare Executive, by Ron Southwick:

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has finalized rules to prevent information blocking, imposing significant financial penalties on hospitals, clinicians, and medical groups that fail to share health information freely. Hospitals could face reductions in federal aid and substantial financial disincentives, while clinicians and medical groups could see reduced reimbursements and other penalties. The American Hospital Association and the Medical Group Management Association have criticized the penalties as excessive and punitive, urging for more collaborative approaches. The rule also affects Accountable Care Organizations by barring violators from participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program for at least a year. These measures will take effect 30 days after the rule’s publication.