Policy
ONC is responsible for implementing provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) that will improve the flow and exchange of electronic health information. Advancing interoperability, prohibiting information blocking, and enhancing the usability, accessibility, and privacy and security of health IT are core to ONC’s policy work.
Health IT Legislation
ONC’s work on health IT is authorized by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
The HITECH Act established ONC in law and provides the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the authority to establish programs to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency through the promotion of health IT, including electronic health records (EHRs) and private and secure electronic health information exchange.
ONC is now implementing several provisions of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law in December 2016. Other legislation related to ONC’s work includes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) the Affordable Care Act, and the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.
Health IT Regulations
ONC authors regulations that set the standards and certification criteria EHRs must meet to assure health care professionals and hospitals that the systems they adopt are capable of performing certain functions. The ONC Health IT Certification Program also supports the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.
Health IT Rulemaking
Through new or updated rules, ONC implements provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act and makes updates to the ONC Health IT Certification Program with new and updated standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria.
The rules, Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability, referred to as HTI, support and build on current laws and regulations to improve the care continuum for both patients and providers.
Explore
ONC advances interoperability and the use of health IT to improve health care experiences and outcomes through a variety of strategic initiatives. Below are some key programs and initiatives overseen by ONC.
TEFCA
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™, known as TEFCA™, establishes a universal floor for interoperability – creating a path for data to be shared beyond proprietary boundaries. TEFCA, enables providers, payers, public health professionals, and patients to access and securely share health information regardless of where the information is stored.
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HHS Health IT Alignment Program
The HHS Health IT Alignment Program coordinates health information technology efforts across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. By aligning resources and policies, it enhances interoperability and supports better care coordination, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
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HITAC
The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) was established by the 21st Century Cures Act. It recommends standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria relating to the implementation of a health information technology infrastructure, nationally and locally, that advances the electronic access, exchange, and use of health information.
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Health IT Certification Program
The ONC Health IT Certification Program is a voluntary program that helps ensure that current and future technologies are developed with interoperability in mind. A list of certified health IT is maintained through the Certified Health IT Products List.