October 16th all covered entities must be ready to transmit and receive covered transactions they conduct electronically in the new standardized HIPAA format. The law also requires all Medicare claims be submitted electronically in HIPAA standard format starting October 16th (with the exception of those from small providers and under certain limited circumstances). To help you organize and prepare for compliance there are several free HIPAA Informational Resources.
*CMS Resources:
-HIPAA tools and educational materials: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2
-HIPAA roundtable conference call to obtain answers on HIPAA Administrative Simplification. Check the CMS website for call information: www.cms.hhs.gov
-CMS ListServes, sign up to receive email notification when proposed of final HIPAA rules have been published: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/regulations/lsnotify.asp
and http://list.nih.gov/archives/hipaa-outreach-l.html
-Medicare free or low cost billing software for Medicare claims: http://cms.hhs.gov/providers/edi
-CMS E-Mail box for questions about Administrative Simplification requirements, except privacy: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov
-CMS HIPAA Hotline for Administrative Simplification questions 1-866-282-0659
*Privacy Resources:
-HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, oversee the privacy requirements: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
-Download a model “Business Associate Agreement:” http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/contractprov.html
-Download “Guidance Explaining Significant Aspects of the Privacy Rule:”
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/privacy.html
-Privacy-related questions should be directed to OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov or
call, 1-866-627-7748