ASAM Submits Comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on the Draft Strategy on Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burden Relating to the Use of Health IT and EHRs

On January 28, the Partnership to Amend 42 CFR Part 2 (of which ASAM is a member) submitted comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on the draft Strategy on Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burden Relating to the Use of Health IT and EHRs. The letter recommended changes to current regulations so that 42 CFR Part 2 is aligned with HIPAA to allow for the transmission of Part 2 records without written consent for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations. It observed that Part 2, while designed with the intent of reducing stigma and protecting patient records, has served to complicate coordination of care and hinder efforts to treat those suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). Furthermore, the multiple different privacy standards created by Part 2 and HIPAA lead to a confusing and complicated process for physicians and healthcare providers when determining which federal privacy law is applicable to each situation and whether or not a written consent is necessary. 

Read the letter here.