Understanding the Eight Exceptions to Information Blocking

February 25, 2021

The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT’s information blocking final rule, part of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), goes into effect April 5, 2021.

At a high level, the final rule prohibits health providers, technology vendors, health information exchanges, and health information networks from preventing the exchange, use, or access of electronic health information (EHI).

Embedded within the rules are eight exceptions that empower providers to deny EHI requests without being tagged as information blockers.

As a result, provider organizations need well-defined processes to evaluate and review requests; maintain documentation for compliance purposes; and determine how denials are consistently tailored to one or more of the information blocking exceptions.

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Diana Warner, MS, RHIA, CHPS, CPHI, FAHIMA

In her role as Director of Account Management for MRO, Warner is responsible for establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships with clients. By building trust as a liaison between MRO and our client, she provides guidance and advice ensuring all MRO services are provided efficiency and effectively striving for the highest quality in delivery and customer services. Warner has over 20 years of experience in HIM, working in various healthcare settings including physician practice and acute care hospitals. Prior to joining MRO, she served as Director, Information Governance, Informatics and Standards at the American Health Information Association (AHIMA). Warner provided professional expertise EHRs, privacy, security and confidentiality, and HIM operations in both hospitals and physician practices. She holds a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the Columbus State University in Georgia.