CHIME, ONC decipher HTI-1 Final Rule

CHIME and ONC have joined forces to help healthcare organizations decipher the final rule released in December 2023, called Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1). In a webinar, guest speakers from ONC detailed the many aspects of HTI-1, from predictive DSI to information blocking.

The event took place Feb. 6, but you can view the on-demand recording and slides at the CHIME Public Policy Webinars page.

CHIME’s Public Policy team also created a detailed “cheat sheet” on the HTI-1 final rule.

The final rule:

• implements the EHR Reporting Program provision of the 21st Century Cures Act by establishing new Conditions and Maintenance of Certification requirements for health IT developers under the ONC Health IT Certification Program.
• updates several certification criteria and standards to advance interoperability, enhance health IT certification, and reduce burden and costs for health IT developers and users.
• further clarifies the information blocking regulations and provides refined definitions of statutory terms and practices that are reasonable and necessary.
• aligns with the priorities of several Executive Orders to promote trustworthy AI, advance health equity, support patient access, improve regulatory transparency and efficiency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information.

The HTI-1 Final Rule has various compliance deadlines from 2024 to 2029, covering areas such as certification standards, decision support interventions, algorithmic transparency, and information sharing.

• Feb. 8, 2024 – The HTI-1 Final Rule becomes effective.
• Dec. 31, 2024 – Health IT developers must update and provide to their customers certified health IT that conforms to new and revised standards and certification criteria included in the HTI-1 Final Rule. They must also publish their customers’ service base URL information (FHIR Endpoints) according to specific adopted standards.
• Jan. 1, 2026 – The decision support interventions certification criterion replaces the clinical decision support certification criterion in the Base EHR definition. All HTI-1 updated standards in certification criteria are solely applicable for compliance purposes.
• July 2027 – Health IT developers must submit their first Insights Condition report for Year 1 measures.
• July 2029 – Health IT developers must submit their final Insights Condition report for all measures.