Why ROI Competency Is a Strategic Imperative for HI Professionals

Release of Information (ROI) has traditionally been viewed as a transactional, yet important, function that is often performed in isolation. However, this perception no longer reflects reality. With the expansion of regulatory expectations under HIPAA, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and the 21st Century Cures Act, ROI now occupies a crucial position at the intersection of compliance, transparency, patient rights, and organizational risk. Every disclosure carries operational, legal, and reputational consequences. In this context, ROI competency is essential, not optional.

Modern ROI professionals must navigate intricate authorizations, various sensitive record types, identity verification, information blocking exceptions, payer requests, and increasing turnaround expectations, all while ensuring absolute accuracy. Despite this, many health information teams remain undertrained or depend on informal knowledge, exposing organizations to inconsistent processes, privacy breaches, and audit risks.

Leaders in health information are increasingly reporting a skills gap: new staff members often enter the workforce without structured training in ROI fundamentals, while experienced professionals require upskilling to keep pace with evolving regulations. This challenge is compounded for departments facing staffing shortages, hybrid workforces, and high request volumes.

While ROI has historically been seen as a back-office function, executive leaders increasingly recognize that it is, in fact, a strategic organizational capability. Improper or inconsistent ROI practices can create far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond the health information department. For executive leaders, the business case is clear: a well-trained team of ROI professionals directly supports financial integrity, reduces compliance exposure, and strengthens enterprise-wide risk management.

From a financial perspective, inaccurate or delayed disclosures can impede revenue cycle activities, slow payer responses, and increase the likelihood of claim denials or rework—all of which translate to operational inefficiencies and measurable financial loss. Conversely, standardized ROI processes reduce variability, accelerate turnaround times, and minimize costly errors.

Addressing Compliance Risks

Compliance risk is also escalating. Regulatory enforcement, the Information Blocking Rule, expanding patient access requirements, and heightened scrutiny around identity verification place new pressures on organizations. Undertrained ROI staff significantly increase the probability of unauthorized disclosures, incomplete responses, or inconsistent application of exceptions; all are issues that can trigger investigations, penalties, and reputational harm. A workforce that is formally trained and credentialed creates a defensible position for the organization, demonstrating due diligence and a commitment to regulatory compliance.

From a broader risk-mitigation standpoint, ROI competency strengthens trust across the enterprise. Executive leaders are tasked with ensuring transparency, protecting patient data, and maintaining operational resilience. When ROI professionals follow consistent, well-validated processes, organizations are better positioned to manage high volumes, support cross-functional workflows, and confidently respond to audits or legal inquiries. In this environment, competency is not simply an Human Resources metric; it becomes a strategic safeguard.

To meet this growing need, AHIMA has developed the new Principles of Release of Information course, a targeted eLearning program designed to build and validate essential ROI knowledge. This new offering provides a practical solution for departments aiming to enhance staff training, reinforce compliance, and establish consistent onboarding processes. Participants will learn about legal and regulatory frameworks, disclosure decision-making, request validation, and best practices for safeguarding protected health information. The new course also serves to prepare professionals to earn their ROI microcredential.

As health information continues to evolve, ROI is becoming one of its most strategic competencies. Organizations that invest in structured ROI education not only strengthen compliance but also foster more confident teams, reduce operational risks, and improve the patient experience. In a rapidly changing regulatory landscape, ROI competency is no longer just a skill set; it is a strategic imperative.

Jennifer Mueller, MBA, RHIA, SHIMSS, FACHE, FAHIMA, FACHDM, AHIMA® Microcredential: Health Data Literacy, is Senior Vice President of Health Information Career Advancement.