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As we shift into a new year, major healthcare regulations for 2022 are as well. Standards and practices for Public and Behavioral Health are being modified to keep up with technologies. These are the major healthcare regulations for 2022 that should be monitored by healthcare providers. Lawmakers have continued plans for policy in each of these areas.

Regulations on Payment Models

One of the major healthcare regulations for 2022 that clinicians need to watch out for is the models for payment. In the last few years, a lot of providers were in the mode of transitioning from the traditional “pay for service” model that has been in practice for as long as medical care has existed. Yet, when the pandemic started, that transition slowed down. 

The transition on models of payment slowed down due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clearing healthcare providers from the reporting requirements and financial penalties from the Medicare Shared Savings Program and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. For 2022, the current leadership at CMS needs to decide whether they need to continue with this process, revert to the original plan (of transitioning), or completely change paths. Continue to check for these changes throughout the year.

Regulations on Telehealth

Another component of the major healthcare regulations for 2022 to keep an eye on is telehealth. While people in urban or suburban areas may not have much of a problem accessing healthcare, people who live in rural areas might. Since a lot of them do not have easy access to a healthcare provider, it is important that they’re given an option to where they can be virtually provided care, if they are unable to physically be at a healthcare facility. Congress is working to pass laws and policies that can benefit people who don’t have easy access to physical healthcare. 2022 seems like a very likely period for Congress to get close to achieving this goal.

Regulations on Data Operability

A third part of the major healthcare regulations for 2022 is data operability. 2 years ago, the final rule was put in place by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure the requirements of the Cures Act were met and followed. In April 2021, the mandates for information blocking were implemented. This requires all forms of healthcare providers to provide their patients with their data if they request it. Even if a provider is unable to physically provide a patient their data, they are going against the act. 

Throughout 2022 more data operability rules are expected to be implemented. Healthcare providers will have more asked of them in providing and exchanging data, without the difficulty of doing so as an excuse not to. This will cause a push for more providers to have EHRs that can help exchange data and health records more easily.

If you are interested in learning more about Patagonia Health’s ONC certified, complete EHR with billing, practice management, and integrated telehealth solutions please contact us.

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