SDOs & Operating Rules Updates

WEDI Submits Comments on HTI-5 Proposed Rule and AI RFI. WEDI submitted comments to the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP)/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) on both the “Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: ASTP/ONC Deregulatory Actions to Unleash Prosperity” (HTI-5) proposed rule and “Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Artificial…

OCR Announces Civil Enforcement Program for Confidentiality of SUD Records. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a new program to implement and enforce statutory and regulatory requirements that protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) patient records beginning February 16, 2026. The program puts in…

Attachments Final Rule at OMB. A final rule, titled “Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Attachment Transactions and Electronic Signatures (CMS-0053)” is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This regulation, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is expected to finalize new standards for health…

ASTP/ONC Leader Speaks to WEDI Members, Hints at HTI-6 Regulation. Thomas Keane, MD, Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP)/National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, spoke at the recent WEDI Town Hall, a WEDI member-only event. Dr. Keane outlined his agencies priorities and answered questions from members on topics including the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common…

WEDI to Participate in CMS Listening Session on Prior Authorization Standard, Holding MPA TODAY-November 17. WEDI has been invited to participate in a listening session on prior authorization being held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) National Standards Group on December 10, 2025. The listening session will focus on benefits and challenges…

WEDI Holds MPA on Prior Authorization Standard. WEDI held a Member Position Advisory (MPA) facilitated discussion to review questions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its December 10 listening session on evaluating the Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) prior authorization standard. WEDI, along with the six Designated Standards Maintenance Organizations, was…

Senators Request Information from CMS on Medicare Advantage Provider Directory Issues. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, requesting responses to potential issues with the…

QHIN Technical Framework V2.1 Posted for Review, Responses Due November 7. The Qualified Health Information Network® (QHIN™) Technical Framework (QTF) v2.1 is available for review on the TEFCA Topics in Change Management webpage. Comments on the draft QTF are being accepted until November 7. The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™) Topics in Change…

CMS Issues Update on Holding of Claims for Affected Services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided an update on the processing of claims and payments for services affected by the expired Medicare legislative provisions as of October 1. CMS has instructed Medicare Administrative Contractors to hold these claims but will continue to…