CMS Advisory Opinion Allows for Greater Electronic Health Information Exchange

Last week, CMS released an advisory opinion that would allow for the development of proprietary health information technology software without violating the “Stark Law” that restricts certain compensation arrangements between physicians and hospitals.

Specifically, a hospital system can pay for the creation of an electronic interface between unique electronic health record (EHR) systems of individual physician practices and the hospital network’s EHR system. The interface would allow physicians, from their practices, to order and communicate the results of tests and procedures performed.

HANYS has long advocated for increased flexibility of the application of Stark Laws to promote increased electronic health information exchange. – Susan Van Meter