The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) announced yesterday that the extension for implementing Version 5010 transaction standards, which was set to end April 1, 2012, will be extended for an additional three months, until June 30, 2012.

During this extension, OESS will not initiate action against providers who are not compliant with the updated HIPAA versions standards. Obviously, the extension allows everyone, including physicians, additional time to complete testing and meet the new standards. During this period, the NCMS encourages physicians who experience problems with 5010 compliance to contact the NCMS Member Resource Center. Further, we encourage physicians to report to OESS any payer or business partner who are not 5010 compliant, using the online complaint form.

The NCMS urges its members to work towards meeting the compliance standards for Version 5010. The NCMS offers Version 5010 & ICD-10 resources on our website and CMS also offers Version 5010 resources, such as basic and testing readiness fact sheets, frequently asked questions and resources to help you transition smoothly to 5010.

Questions can be directed to the NCMS Member Resource Center at 800-722-1350 or [email protected].