HHS Issues Notices Over Health Data Blocking
Federal regulators have sent seven notices of nonconformity to companies suspected of restricting electronic health record access.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Healthcare
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The Department of Health and Human Services has issued seven notices of nonconformity to companies suspected of information blocking. These actions are part of a broader federal push to ensure patients and providers can access health data.
Why it matters
Federal officials are prioritizing education and compliance to help developers align with data-sharing rules before pursuing stricter enforcement. The initiative aims to ensure technology providers adhere to federal requirements for medical record transparency.
Federal rules authorize civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation for information blocking. Most recipients have already acknowledged the issues and committed to improving their data-sharing practices.
The players
Thomas Keane
Thomas Keane is a federal official who disclosed the latest enforcement figures regarding health data accessibility.
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services is the federal agency responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is a federal agency that administers the nation's major healthcare programs and coordinates with providers on data sharing.
The details
Regulators are leveraging collaborative troubleshooting calls between patients, electronic health record vendors, and providers to resolve stalled record requests. The enforcement strategy involves coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Inspector General, the Justice Department, and the Federal Trade Commission.
Timeline
HHS launched an enforcement push against information blocking in September 2025.
Notices of nonconformity began circulating in June 2026.
Thomas Keane confirmed the issuance of seven letters on October 15, 2026.
Market Landscape
The federal enforcement push enforces provisions within the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 to ensure electronic health information remains accessible. This creates a new compliance environment for electronic health record vendors operating within the United States.
Patients and providers may see improved access to medical records as vendors adjust their data-sharing practices to comply with federal standards. Improved transparency should lead to fewer delays when patients request their health history from providers and software platforms.
The takeaway
Patients who experience delays in accessing their medical records should be aware that federal rules now explicitly prohibit information blocking. Companies must maintain open systems, and recent federal interventions suggest a clear path for resolving record requests through collaborative troubleshooting.
Further reading
For more context on how federal regulations govern electronic record management, visit the Healthcare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis.
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