CT SB00447

Requires hospitals licensed under chapter 368v to enable bidirectional exchange of patient electronic health records with any health care provider that maintains compatible systems, effective October 1, 2017.

Mandates hospitals accept and send patient records including laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, continuity of care documents, and admission/discharge/transfer records to both affiliated and unaffiliated providers on an equal basis.

Prohibits hospitals from requiring payment for new information technology or equipment to enable electronic health record exchanges, but allows use of existing hardware and software.

Requires hospitals to promptly comply with patient or provider requests to send or receive electronic health records unless the exchange would violate state or federal law or create a legitimate security or privacy risk, in which case the hospital must notify the requester.

Mandates annual reporting to the Office of Health Care Access and Attorney General beginning March 1, 2018, detailing electronic health record systems, patient data volume, and messages exchanged with affiliated and unaffiliated providers.