HIPAA lert HIPAA dvisory
HIPAAdvisory > HIPAAlert > Archives Phoenix Health Systems


 


H I P A A lert

Volume 7, Number 1 –
January 12, 2006

From Phoenix Health Systems
Healthcare IT Consulting & Outsourcing

HIPAA Knowledge...HIPAA Solutions

HIPAAnews | HIPAAregs | HIPAAction | HIPAAtech | HIPAAwares
HIPAAlert | HIPAAlive | HIPAAsearch | Healthcareedu | HIPAAstore!

HIPAAlert is published monthly in support of the healthcare industry's efforts to work together towards HIPAA security and privacy. Subscribers total nearly 20,000.

If you like HIPAAlert, you'll love HIPAAdvisory.com! – Phoenix' "HIPAA hub of the Web"

T H I S   I S S U E

  1. HIPAAnews
  2. HIPAAlatest – additions to HIPAAdvisory.com
**Advertisement**

PAYERS & PROVIDERS – join our latest HIPAA compliance survey!
It's quick & easy, & all online: http://Survey.HIPAAdvisory.com
So participate NOW and be counted.

1 >> H I P A A n e w s:

*** AHA and CMS Establish Clearinghouse for Questions on HCPCS Coding ***

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are collaborating on a clearinghouse to address questions on better using the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), a national standard code set used by healthcare practitioners, providers and suppliers throughout the US when filing insurance claims for drugs, medical devices, and other items and services. The AHA's Central Office will handle the clearinghouse functions and provide open access to anyone with questions regarding HCPCS coding. The HCPCS was established in 1978 by CMS to provide a standardized coding system for describing the specific items and services provided in the delivery of healthcare. In August 2000, HCPCS was designated a national standard code set under HIPAA for use in all electronic transactions relating to payment for the items and services it covers.

Read more.


*** E-Prescribing Standards Update is Recommended ***

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is being urged to waste no time in updating the e-prescribing standards that take effect January 1. The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) has recommended that the department allow physicians to use the newer Script Standard Implementation Guide Version 8.1, instead of Script 5.0. In a December 20 letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, NCVHS wrote "Script 8.1 contains slightly more functionality than Script 5.0 but does not incorporate significant changes from Script 5.0."

Read more.


*** CMS Seeks to Speed Bulk NPIs ***

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking fast-track approval of a certification document that provider organizations can use to conduct bulk enumeration of the national provider identifier (NPI). Bulk enumeration would enable an organization to send a file requesting identifiers for all appropriate physicians and other providers. CMS published notice December 9 in the Federal Register, asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency approval of the electronic file interchange process.

Read more.

Go to TOP

**Advertisement**

Over 500 hospitals choose Phoenix Health Systems'
HIPAA Security Policies Templates Suite!
Learn more about the Suite's content, pricing, and secure online delivery at:
HIPAAdvisory.com/Wares/Security/

2 >> H I P A A l a t e s t

NEW in HIPAAction > Transactions & Code Sets and Identifiers:


NEW in HIPAAtech >

Bring your HIPAA questions and ideas to life at... HIPAAlive!

Join nearly 5,000 other thinkers, planners, learners and lurkers who are already members of our sister email discussion list. We almost make HIPAA fun! Almost. Find out more.

Copyright 2006, Phoenix Health Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprint by permission only.
www.phoenixhealth.com 301-869-7300

Go to TOP