Medicare Program; Physicians' Referrals to Health Care Entities With Which They Have Financial Relationships: Exception for Certain Electronic Health Records Arrangements

This final rule revises the exception to the physician self- referral law that permits certain arrangements involving the donation of electronic health records items and services. Specifically, this final rule extends the expiration date of the exception to December 31, 2021, excludes laboratory companies from the types of entities that may donate electronic health records items and services, updates the provision under which electronic health records software is deemed interoperable, removes the electronic prescribing capability requirement, and clarifies the requirement prohibiting any action that limits or restricts the use, compatibility, or interoperability of donated items or services.