2020 Bulletin (November 2020)

Why This Topic Matters

The bulletin highlights policy and operational issues that affect how health information is shared, protected, and presented to patients and the public. It is especially useful for readers who need to understand the broader compliance and privacy context around digital health, payer data access, and CPT-based transparency files.

Article Sections

1. 2020 Bulletin

   Opening bulletin material introducing the issue and its themes.

2. Preparing for E/M 2021 Changes

   A bulletin topic referencing upcoming evaluation and management changes for 2021.

3. Payers, Apps, Data Brokers: Do You Know Who Has Your Health Care Information?

   Discussion of health data privacy, consumer apps, data brokers, telehealth, public health surveillance, and federal interoperability-related policy concerns.

4. Why Information Privacy Matters

   Background on why privacy and consent are important in modern health data exchange and technology-enabled care.

5. Smartphone Apps Share Health Information with Data Brokers, Insurers, and Others

   Overview of concerns involving consumer-facing apps, third-party data sharing, and the broader use of personal health information by outside entities.

6. Absent Better Controls Around How Health Data Are Shared, New Technologies Aimed at Improving Health May Fall Flat

   Discussion of how privacy concerns can affect patient trust and willingness to use digital health tools.

7. AMA Introduces Privacy Principles to Bolster Trust and Improve Patient Control Over Personal Data

   Summary of the AMA privacy framework and its broad policy themes for data governance and patient control.

8. New CMS Regulation May Encourage Payer Overreach into Practice EHRs, Leading to Discrimination or Loss of Coverage

   Discussion of payer access concerns, interoperability policy, and potential impacts on physician practices and patient coverage.

9. Using CPT Codes to Comply With Hospital Price Transparency of CY 2020 Final Rule

   Guidance on hospital price transparency requirements and the use of CPT descriptors in machine-readable and public-facing charge files.