Bill > HR2002

This bill aims to improve patient identification and medical record matching in the United States healthcare system by establishing new standards and protocols. The legislation addresses the critical problem of patient misidentification, which can lead to medical errors, privacy breaches, and unnecessary healthcare costs. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a uniform definition for "patient match rate" within 180 days, consulting with healthcare providers, technology vendors, and patient groups. The National Coordinator will be tasked with identifying a minimum data set to support patient matching at a 99.9% accuracy rate, which will be incorporated into the United States Core Data for Interoperability. The bill also introduces a voluntary bonus measure in the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for eligible providers who achieve high patient matching accuracy, with a target of at least 90% match rate. Additionally, the legislation will create a voluntary, anonymous reporting program for providers to submit patient matching accuracy data, allowing for ongoing evaluation and potential rate adjustments. The bill highlights that patient misidentification currently costs the healthcare system over $6.7 billion annually and can result in repeated medical tests, potential medical errors, and compromised patient safety.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2002/all-info