Digital Health Blog

HHS launched a major enforcement initiative to stop health data blocking, ensuring patients and the providers have easier access to their electronic health information. The agency is directing an increase in resources to support enforcement of information blocking rules promulgated under the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 by the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ASTP/ONC) and HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). Health care providers participating in Medicare programs could be subject to disincentives under those programs. Health IT developers of certified health IT or who meet the definition of a health information network or health information exchange that obstruct data sharing could face penalties up to $1 million per violation. Developers of product(s) certified under the ONC Health IT Certification Program could have certifications terminated and be banned from the program.

This move supports innovation, transparency, and patient-centered care, aligning with broader efforts to modernize the healthcare system. Violations can be reported through an Information Blocking Portal.

CMS announced its “Crushing Fraud Chili Cook-Off Competition” – an effort aimed at utilizing machine learning models to detect anomalies in Medicare claims data. Finalists will receive access to Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Hospice, Part B, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims. CMS will accept submissions through September 19 and will publicly announce the winner the week of December 15, 2025.

On July 30, the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its establishment of a new Health Tech Ecosystem. Over 60 data networks, health systems and providers, app developers, and payers have made voluntary commitments to adopt and align with a new interoperability framework designed to create a process for easily accessible and shareable medical information across newly created CMS Aligned Networks. HHS encourages additional health care providers and entities to become early adopters and participate in the framework. Apps included in this first round of early adopters will focus on apps that can eliminate manual check-in forms, apps that provide conversational AI assistants, and apps centered on diabetes and obesity prevention and management. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made its own commitments to update and modernize Medicare tools already available.