Myth Buster: There is a broad, federal regulatory structure that governs the creation and activities of a Health Information Exchange (HIE).

MYTH: There is a broad, federal regulatory structure that governs the creation and activities of a Health Information Exchange (HIE).  

FACT:  While some state-level laws affecting HIEs are beginning to appear, there is no broad federal law or regulation addressing the creation and activities of HIEs.  Federal action in this area consists of voluntary frameworks, strategies, and guidance.   

Health Information Exchanges have recently been established throughout the country in contrast to the landscape ten years ago. There have been significant legal moves to enable and incentivize the development of HIEs on the federal level, but none of these actions has required the creation of HIEs requires their creation or has dictated their operation.  States, however, have started to develop legislation on the formation and operation of HIEs.  To learn more about federal incentives to develop HIEs and state creation of HIEs, please read our Myth Buster below.