AHIMA responds to proposed disclosure rule

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is welcoming the proposed rules from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requiring accounting of disclosure, according to Bonnie Cassidy, AHIMA president.

In light of the transformation of the U.S. health system, particularly with respect to the implementation of EHRs, and given the role that health information management professionals play in protecting and securing health information, “we have eagerly anticipated this rulemaking process,” Cassidy stated.

The nonprofit, Chicago-based organization has established a response team comprising experts in EHRs, health information exchange and confidentiality and security to formulate an official position on behalf of its 61,000 members. The AHIMA position will voice the concerns and views of the health information management profession, according to Cassidy. “Our team will conduct an evaluation and prepare recommendations [in] time for further member involvement on this very important subject,” she said.

The association said it intends to scrutinize the requirements to provide subject matter expertise to OCR on the implementation of HITECH requirements. AHIMA leaders will assess and address the multitude of concerns generated by advancements in the health information industry, she stated.

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