The 21st Century Cures Act is a health care law that promotes innovation in the health care technology ecosystem to deliver better information, more conveniently, to patients and clinicians. It also promotes transparency, using technology, to provide opportunities for the public to gain visibility in the services, quality, and costs of health care.

The first part of the rule is currently scheduled to go into effect on April 5, 2021, and has the potential to significantly empower patients and their families and increase their engagement in their own health care; however, there are specific pediatric implications and challenges. Pediatric practices need to have a documented policy and procedure for how they will receive requests for information from patients. Specifically, how fast, and in what form, patient requests for information will be delivered. The pediatric health care provider community must play a critical role in implementing these rules in a safe and meaningful way for children and their guardians.

21st Century Cures Act Resources:

• Collaboratively developed TPS/TMA Webinar: 21st Century Cures Act: Release of Notes and Exceptions
  In this on-demand webinar, a physician panel and speakers from the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services discuss the release of EHI to patients and exceptions to the new law’s information-blocking provisions. This webinar is free for TMA members and $199 for nonmembers. To register just click the yellow add to cart button. Member pricing will apply once you sign in and username and password is the same as their TMA website sign in.
• AAP Publications:
  The Implications of the 21st Century Cures Act in Pediatrics
  AAP endorses statement raising awareness of teen confidentiality issues in Cures Act
• TMA Resource Page
• PCC Webinar: Information Blocking in the 21st Century Cures Act for Pediatric Practices
• Office Practicum Webinars: 21st Century Cures Act: What Pediatricians Need to Know (pre-recorded) AND 21st Century Cures Act: Sample Pediatric Policies & Exceptions 
• Office Practicum: Practice Readiness Checklist
• Information Blocking Compliance Form