QUESTION: I read that President Obama signed into law something called the “21st Century Cures Act” – what is it?
ANSWER: The 21st Century Cures Act includes provisions to expand medical research, invest in mental health resources, and combat the prescription and opioid drug epidemic. However, there are several parts to it that deal with things such as electronic health records interoperability (expedites interoperability among Electronic Health Records by developing or supporting a voluntary model framework and common agreement for the secure exchange of health information between networks), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (directs clarification of the circumstances when a health care provider or covered entity may use or disclose protected health information related to the treatment of an adult with a mental or substance use disorder), and Medicare reimbursement rules. Watch this space for potential audio conferences on the Act.