In late March, the federal government announced it would delay enforcement of HIPAA 5010 transactions to June 30, 2012. It is the second three-month delay on enforcement made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS). While progress is being made, there are still some issues to work out. According to OESS:
-The Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) program is currently reporting successful receipt and processing of over 70 percent of all Part A claims and over 90 percent of all Part B claims in the Version 5010 format.
-Commercial plans are reporting similar numbers.
-State Medicaid agencies are showing progress as well, and some have made a full transition to Version 5010.
“At the same time, OESS is aware that there are still a number of outstanding issues and challenges impeding full implementation,” an OESS statement continued. “OESS believes that these remaining issues warrant an extension of enforcement discretion to ensure that all entities can complete the transition. OESS expects the transition statistics will reach 98 percent industry wide by the end of the enforcement discretion period.”
OESS urged those covered by the rule to collaborate more closely on appropriate strategies to resolve remaining problems. The statement said the agency would step up its existing outreach to include more technical assistance for covered entities. OESS urged those covered by the rule to collaborate more closely on appropriate strategies to resolve remaining problems. The statement said the agency would step up its existing outreach to include more technical assistance for covered entities. OESS is also partnering with several industry groups as well as Medicare FFS and Medicaid to expand technical assistance opportunities and eliminate remaining barriers.
Author(s)
Stuart J. Oberman, Esq.
Stuart J. Oberman is the founder and President of Oberman Law Firm. Mr. Oberman graduated from Urbana University and received his law degree from John Marshall Law School. Mr. Oberman has been practicing law for over 30 years, and before going into private practice, Mr. Oberman was in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 Company.
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