The Cures Rule: What You Need to Know
The Cures Rule is a national policy that requires healthcare providers to give patients access to all of their health information in their electronic medical records “without delay” and without charge. This rule was created to ensure that patients have the right to access their medical records, and that healthcare providers are held accountable for providing them.
The Cures Rule was created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA was designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical records, but it also required healthcare providers to give patients access to their records. The Cures Rule was created to ensure that patients have the right to access their medical records, and that healthcare providers are held accountable for providing them.
The Cures Rule requires healthcare providers to provide patients with access to their medical records within 30 days of a request. This includes both paper and electronic records. The rule also requires healthcare providers to provide patients with a copy of their medical records in an electronic format, if requested. Additionally, healthcare providers must provide patients with a summary of their medical records upon request.
The Cures Rule also requires healthcare providers to provide patients with a secure, online portal to access their medical records. This portal must be secure and encrypted, and must allow patients to view, download, and print their medical records. Additionally, the portal must allow patients to securely share their medical records with other healthcare providers.
Finally, the Cures Rule requires healthcare providers to notify patients when their medical records have been updated or changed. This notification must be provided within 30 days of the change.
The Cures Rule is an important step in ensuring that patients have access to their medical records. By providing patients with access to their medical records, healthcare providers can ensure that patients are receiving the best possible care. Additionally, the Cures Rule helps to ensure that healthcare providers are held accountable for providing patients with access to their medical records.