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HIPAAdvisory > HIPAAnews > Archives |  |
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WEDI Launches NPI Outreach InitiativeReston, VA -- August 25, 2005 -- The Reston, VA, based non-profit association, Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange, (WEDI) announced today the launching of its National Provider Identifier Outreach Initiative (NPIOI), an important new effort designed to serve as the focal point for information related to the planning, transition, and implementation of the NPI. This Initiative is being created as a result of the experiences in the healthcare industry with the implementation of the transactions and code sets, Privacy, and Security regulations mandated as part of HIPAA. The industry has faced significant challenges in part due to a lack of coordinated communication and outreach strategies. The intent of the WEDI NPIOI is to create a national coordinated strategy that 1) helps ensure early awareness across all covered entities and affected organizations; 2) provides a consistent level of understanding regarding the regulations; and 3) promotes the sharing of information regarding NPI planning, transition and implementation experiences, approaches and timelines. "The proposed WEDI NPI Outreach Initiative has the potential to positively impact the implementation of the National Provider Identifier by all healthcare stakeholders," said WEDI Chair, Mark McLaughlin, McKesson. "As a statutorily named HIPAA advisor to the US Department of Health and Human Services, WEDI is uniquely positioned to collaborate with healthcare industry stakeholders to create a consistent implementation strategy and to educate the healthcare industry regarding that strategy," stated McLaughlin. The NPIOI leadership will be made up of industry volunteers including health plans, providers, clearinghouses, software vendors, and representatives from WEDI's current NPI workgroups. As part of this Initiative, WEDI is creating the National NPI Resource Center, a dedicated website where all NPI-related information, documents, Policy Advisory Group (PAG) reports, WEDI Strategic National Implementation Process (SNIP) NPI white papers, web links and other NPI resources will be consolidated. The website can be accessed by going to www.wedi.org/npi. "The WEDI National NPI Outreach Initiative is an important new effort that will assist medical group practices and others in the healthcare industry face the challenges of implementing the National Provider Identifier" said Robert M. Tennant, Medical Group Management Association and member of the WEDI board of directors. "The NPI Outreach Initiative is another example of WEDI's proven ability to drive positive change and facilitate industry consensus" he added. "Implementing [the] NPI will require a large coordinated effort among stakeholders," stated WEDI Board Vice Chair Jim Daley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. He went on to say, "The NPIOI will establish a national resource center where organizations and individuals can turn to learn about the issues, potential impacts, and various strategies being used to implement [the] NPI. WEDI's leadership and ability to bring together industry stakeholders will help facilitate a smooth transition." The WEDI NPIOI will develop comprehensive education and outreach strategies and support coordination of the steps that organizations need to take to effectively plan and implement the new NPI. This initiative is expected to reduce unnecessary and duplicative efforts, as well as decrease the costs, delays, and disruptions associated with the adoption of NPI that many in the industry anticipate. Go to TOP |
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