On September 27, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 254 and AB 352, which both amend the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (“CMIA”). Specifically, AB 254 expands the scope of the CMIA to expressly cover reproductive or sexual health services that are delivered through digital health solutions and the associated health information generated from these services. AB 352 imposes new requirements on how electronic health record (“EHR”) systems must store medical information related to gender affirming care, abortion and related services, and contraception and the ability of providers of health care, health care service plans, contractors, or employers to disclose such information.Continue Reading California Enacts Amendments to the CMIA
Framework for the Future of AI: Senator Cassidy Issues White Paper, Seeks Public Feedback
On September 6, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued a white paper about the oversight and legislative role of Congress related to the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in areas under the HELP Committee’s jurisdiction, including health and life sciences. In the
NHS Data Partnerships Guide – unlocking the benefits of data partnerships
The NHS has issued guidance on effective data partnerships, this blog summarises key terms for parties looking to collaborate on data driven projects with the NHS.
Continue Reading NHS Data Partnerships Guide – unlocking the benefits of data partnerships
CMS Proposes Changes to Medicare Telehealth Policies, Including Increased Payment Rates
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (CY 2024 PFS Proposed Rule), which proposes policy changes to the PFS and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2024. As explained in our article
FDA Releases Discussion Paper on AI in the Drug and Biological Product Development Process
Last week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA” or the “Agency”) issued a second discussion paper on the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”) with respect to drug and biological products, this time focusing on the use of AI/ML in the drug and biologic development process, “Using Artificial Intelligence &
FDA Seeks Comments on Agency Actions to Advance Use of AI and Digital Health Technologies in Drug Development
On March 23, 2023, FDA released a Framework for the use of digital health technologies in drug and biological product development (the “DHT Framework”). This DHT Framework is on the heels of a Discussion Paper the Agency released earlier this month on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug manufacturing to seek public input
5 Reasons Digital Solutions for Women+ Health Will Grow in 2023
Innovative digital solutions intended to address health issues typically experienced by women have been an area of increased focus. Ranging from reproductive-related mobile applications to AI-enabled breast cancer screening devices, digital solutions for women+ health show promise to serve an enormous market with medical needs that have often failed to get the level of attention
HHS Proposes Rule to Improve Standards for Electronic Prior Authorizations and Other Transactions with Health Care Attachments
On December 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a proposed rule to adopt standards for certain electronic health transactions. Specifically, the proposed rule would adopt standards for health care attachment transactions (e.g., medical charts, x-rays, provider notes) and electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with health care attachments, and modify the standard for referral certification and authorization transaction. The proposed rule would apply to entities regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and its implementing regulations (collectively, “HIPAA”), and would implement certain requirements of the Administrative Simplification subtitle of HIPAA and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) that require the Secretary of HHS to adopt and update standards for electronic health transactions, code sets, unique identifiers, as well as the electronic exchange for health information.Continue Reading HHS Proposes Rule to Improve Standards for Electronic Prior Authorizations and Other Transactions with Health Care Attachments
FTC, HHS, and FDA Update Tool to Help Mobile Health App Developers Understand Legal Requirements
On December 7, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), announced updates to the Mobile Health App Interactive Tool—a questionnaire designed to help mobile health app developers identify federal laws and regulations that may apply to
California Expands the Scope of the CMIA to Cover Certain Digital Mental Health Services and Information
On September 28, the governor of California signed into law AB 2089, which expands the scope of California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (“CMIA”) to cover mental health services that are delivered through digital health solutions and the associated health information generated from these services. Continue Reading California Expands the Scope of the CMIA to Cover Certain Digital Mental Health Services and Information