FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2014

Contact: ONC Media Relations 202-260-6342

HHS provides additional flexibility for certification of electronic health

Health information technology (IT) developers, providers and consumers will get more flexibility through a final rule issued today by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The final rule adds flexibility as well as clarity and improvements to the current 2014 Edition electronic health record (EHR) certification criteria and the ONC Health IT Certification Program through a new “release” of optional and revised criteria (“2014 Edition Release 2”).

The certification criteria and program updates included in the 2014 Edition Release 2 final rule were proposed earlier this year.  In consideration of public comment received on the proposed rule, the 2014 Edition Release 2 final rule provides alternative certification criteria and approaches for the voluntary certification of heath IT.

“This final rule reflects ONC’s commitment to continually improve the certification program and respond to stakeholder feedback.  It provides more choices for health IT developers and their customers, including new interoperable ways to securely exchange health information.  It also serves as a model for ONC to update its rules as technology and standards evolve to support innovation,” said Karen DeSalvo, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., national coordinator for health IT.

The final rule released today can be found here:  https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-21633.pdf

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Last revised: September 10, 2014