Cures Act
March 25, 2021
Memorial Healthcare System launched an initiative to implement and comply with the Cures Act Final Rule. Information Sharing provides patients with timely access to their health data, empowers patients and their providers to make more informed decisions, and promotes interoperability and connectivity between Providers.
What is the Cures Act?
The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) was passed in 2016 to make clinical information more readily available to patients through secure online portals like Memorial MyChart. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology established the Final Rule to regulate information blocking and place patients at the center of their care. Memorial Healthcare System launched an initiative to implement and comply with the Cures Act Final Rule.
Moving health forward
At Memorial Healthcare System, our culture has always been rooted in a patient and family centered approach to care. Information Sharing simply builds upon our efforts, allowing patients to become more engaged in their own health journey.
What type of information is available in MyChart?
Patients have always had the right to request their health records, including results and notes. Effective March 29, 2021, the following information will be available immediately:
- All finalized clinical notes (Inpatient, Outpatient, Emergency Department & Procedures)
- Behavioral/Psychiatric/Mental Health notes (Psychotherapy notes excluded)
- Clinical results (Lab, Radiology, Pathology, Genetics, EKG & EEGs)
- Allergies, Assessment and Plan of treatment, Care Team, Demographics, Goals, Health Concerns, Immunizations, Medications, Problems, Procedures, Implantable Devices, Vital Signs & Smoking Status
This means that results and clinical notes are now available to you in MyChart immediately, so you may see your results before your provider does. These results could include sensitive or difficult to understand information such as a condition or disease of concern, sexually transmitted disease (STD) and genetic testing. You may choose to wait to look at these results until after your provider contacts you, usually within 3 business days or at your next scheduled appointment. Your provider will contact you with critical results immediately.
Where can I view my electronic health information?
You can access your health information by logging into Memorial MyChart.
Please note some information is currently not viewable in the MyChart mobile app, so please visit the web version for complete access to your electronic health information.
If you need assistance locating your medical information in that is not inside MyChart, contact the Health Information Management Department at (954) 276-9955.
What if I don't have a Memorial MyChart account?
If you don’t have a Memorial MyChart account, please ask your provider for an activation code or follow the directions on our MyChart Video tutorial page.
Will I be able to see all my test results in MyChart?
HIV test results will not be automatically released as per state statutes. Your provider may manually release those to MyChart. All other test results will be immediately released.
What types of clinical notes are immediately released?
Clinical notes are notes written by licensed practitioners including Physicians, Physician Extenders, Nursing, Dietitians, Therapists, and Social Workers.
Will my historical notes be available to me in MyChart?
At this time, we are not releasing historical notes. Notes will be available on March 29, 2021 forward.
Where can I find my clinical notes?
You can find your clinical notes in your MyChart account.
Under Visits -> Office and Hospital Visits
Can providers block notes so I can’t see them?
In alignment with the rule, healthcare providers can choose to block a note if it meets one of the following exceptions:
- The patient requests not to share the note to the MyChart patient portal
- Sharing the note would place you or another person’s life or physical safety at risk. An exception is allowed when reading a note would cause significant harm, as determined by the professional judgment of your provider. Harm is defined as physical injury or death and not emotional harm.
- Under state, federal or other privacy laws, the contents of the note may not be shared.
Can others involved in my care see my notes in MyChart?
If you have provided MyChart proxy authorization to a parent or caregiver, they will also be able to see your notes. You can remove Proxy access by going to the web version of MyChart. Go to Profile -> Personalize -> select the person you wish to remove and then click on Revoke Access. If you want to know how to request or grant proxy access please follow the instruction on our MyChart proxy access page.
What if I don't understand my test results or have questions for my doctor?
Results and clinical notes are available to you in MyChart immediately, so you may see your results before your provider does. We do not expect for patients to interpret their own test results so you may choose to wait to look at these results until after your provider contacts you, usually within 3 business days. If you have immediate concerns please contact your provider.
How can I share my information with my doctor or provider?
You can share your record via MyChart web version by going to Health -> Medical Tools --> Share My Record.
On MyChart mobile app go to Share Everywhere -> Request share code.