The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) used the HIMSS 2026 conference to highlight its intensified efforts on nationwide health data interoperability and aggressive enforcement of information blocking rules. Top officials outlined progress under the 21st Century Cures Act, new disincentives for non-compliant providers, expanded TEFCA adoption, and upcoming regulations aimed at removing barriers to seamless data exchange while penalizing practices that restrict patient access to their own health information.
Glimpse:
HHS leaders detailed accelerated enforcement actions against hospitals and providers found violating information blocking provisions, including civil monetary penalties and Medicare payment reductions starting in 2026. The department showcased expanded Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) participation, new API requirements for real-time data access, and tools to help patients and clinicians overcome sharing obstacles. Officials emphasized that stronger enforcement and interoperability are critical to reducing administrative burden, improving care coordination, and enabling value-based care models.
At the HIMSS 2026 Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas, senior leaders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivered a series of high-profile sessions and briefings focused on the agency’s intensified drive to achieve nationwide interoperability and crack down on information blocking. HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Joanis and ONC National Coordinator Dr. Micky Tripathi were among the key speakers who outlined concrete progress and upcoming enforcement actions under the 21st Century Cures Act, which prohibits practices that knowingly interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information.
The sessions highlighted a sharp increase in investigations and enforcement activity by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Several hospitals and large health systems have already faced civil monetary penalties for blocking patient access to records or charging excessive fees for data sharing, with more cases expected to be resolved publicly in 2026. HHS introduced new disincentives, including reductions in Medicare payments for eligible hospitals and clinicians that fail to meet information sharing requirements, set to take effect later this year. These measures aim to create stronger financial and reputational incentives for compliance while protecting patients’ rights to their health data.
A major focus was the expansion of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), the national framework for secure, standardized health information exchange. ONC reported rapid growth in Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs) under TEFCA, with more payers, providers, and public health agencies joining to enable seamless data flow across systems. New API requirements now mandate real-time access to patient records via FHIR standards, reducing reliance on faxing and manual portals that delay care coordination. HHS also showcased tools and resources to help smaller practices and rural providers meet interoperability obligations without undue burden, including free technical assistance and simplified compliance guides.
HHS leaders stressed that these efforts are central to broader goals of value-based care, care coordination, and patient empowerment. By removing barriers to data exchange, the department aims to reduce duplicate testing, prevent medication errors, support transitions of care, and enable advanced analytics for population health. Officials acknowledged ongoing challenges including legacy system limitations, vendor resistance, and provider workflow concerns but reaffirmed that enforcement will continue to escalate until information blocking is effectively eliminated across the U.S. healthcare system.
The HIMSS 2026 sessions on interoperability and enforcement drew large crowds and sparked active discussions among attendees, with many viewing HHS’s dual approach of incentives, technical support, and penalties as necessary to move the industry forward. The department committed to regular progress updates and stakeholder engagement as new rules and enforcement actions roll out throughout 2026 and beyond.
“Information blocking is not just a technical problem it’s a barrier to better care and better outcomes. We’re using every tool at our disposal enforcement, incentives, and collaboration to tear down those barriers once and for all.”
By
HB Team
Related News
