Extension of Enforcement Discretion Period

Extension of Enforcement Discretion Period for Updated HIPAA Transaction Standards through June 30, 2012

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS), is announcing that it will not initiate enforcement action for an additional three (3) months, through June 30, 2012, against any covered entity that is required to comply with the updated transactions standards adopted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA): ASC X12 Version 5010 and NCPDP Versions D.0 and 3.0.

There is considerable progress being made, but the OESS recognizes that there are still a number issues and challenges impeding full implementation of the 5010 process. They do expect that by June 30th the transition statistics will be at 98% (vs 70% currently). OESS is urging the industry to collaborate and strategize to resolve the remaining issues that are impacting full compliance.

They aren’t leaving it up to the industry alone though. The OESS is also “stepping up” it’s current outreach to include more technical assistance as well as working with Medicare FFS and Medicaid to expand technical assistance and eliminate the remaining barriers.

The OESS looks forward to seeing extensive engagement in the technical assistance initiative to be launched over the next few weeks.