Mandate Self-Service Electronic EHI Request Functionality in Certified Health IT

Recommendation: Certified Health IT must provide a clear, easily discoverable, and entirely electronic self-service mechanism for patients to request their complete Electronic Health Information (EHI). This functionality must allow patients to initiate and track their EHI export requests without resorting to manual processes such as phone calls, paper forms, or faxes.

Rationale & Specifics: Patients have a right to access their EHI without undue burden. Current manual request processes are often slow, opaque, and frustrating for patients, creating significant barriers to accessing their own health information. A self-service electronic mechanism is a fundamental step towards empowering patients.

1. Electronic Request Initiation: Patients must be able to submit a request for their full EHI through a secure electronic interface, such as a patient portal or a dedicated online form provided by the certified Health IT.
2. Elimination of Manual Intermediaries for Request Submission: The system must not require the patient to print forms, send faxes, or make phone calls to initiate the EHI request. While backend fulfillment might involve some staff review, the patient's initial interaction and submission must be fully electronic.
3. Status Tracking and Notification: The system should provide patients with a way to electronically track the status of their EHI export request and receive electronic notifications (e.g., email, portal message) upon completion or if further information is needed.
4. Electronic Fulfillment: While the format of the EHI export itself is covered by other requirements (e.g., computability, completeness), the delivery of the export, once ready, should also be facilitated electronically where feasible and secure (e.g., secure download link, direct deposit to a patient-authorized application if an API is used).
5. Discoverability: This self-service EHI request functionality must be prominently displayed and easily accessible within patient-facing interfaces of the certified Health IT.
6. Cost-Free to Patient: Initiating and receiving EHI through this mandated self-service electronic mechanism must be free of charge to the patient.
7. Certification: Certification testing must verify the presence, functionality, and discoverability of this self-service electronic EHI request capability, including the ability to submit a request, track status, and receive notifications entirely through electronic means.