The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released in 2015 a final rule for hospitals and Eligible Professionals (office-based healthcare providers) to participate in the Electronic Health Record Incentive Program (« Meaning Use Stage 2 »). This program incentivizes hospitals and Eligible Professionals when their Electronic Health Record system comply to a set of rules. One of the rules require providing patients their CCD in an xml format within 36 hours after discharge from the hospital or 4 business days after a visit to the office practice. More details here: