The NCMS reminds physicians that they are required to be in compliance with the new HIPAA Transaction Standards (5010) by January 1, 2012. The Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) encourages physician practices and other entities to work with their trading partners to determine their readiness to accept the new standards.

OESS recently announced that it would not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2012; however, it will accept complaints associated with compliance during the 90-day Period of Enforcement Discretion (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2012). If requested by OESS, covered entities that are the subjects of complaints must produce evidence of either compliance or a good faith effort to become compliant with the new standards during the 90-day period. (See CMS Announces 90-Day Enforcement Delay for New HIPAA Standards (Bulletin, 11-18-11)).

Additional resources and help are found on the NCMS Version 5010 & ICD-10 Resources webpage at: https://www.compassionatecarenc.org/practice_management/icd10.html.

Assistance is also available from the NCMS Foundation’s PractEssentials Program. Please contact Franklin Walker, [email protected], or Terri Gonzalez, [email protected], or call 800-722-1350.