Texting Of Patient Information & Orders for Hospitals & CAHs

On February 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published this memorandum regarding texting of consumer information and orders for hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs). The memorandum says that texting consumer information and the texting of consumer orders among members of the health care team is permissible, if accomplished through a HIPAA compliant secure texting platform (STP) and in compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs). However, Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) continues to be the preferred method of order entry by a provider organization . . .