Health Information Management

NCVHS calls for evaluation of transaction/code set ROI

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, July 31, 2006

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should work to improve the return on investment (ROI) of the HIPAA transactions and code sets, according to a recent letter from Simon P. Cohn, MD, MPH, chairman of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS).

In the June 22 letter to HHS, Cohn noted that in the 10 years since Congress passed HIPAA, there have been numerous barriers to realizing the full benefits of transactions and code sets. These include the following:

  • Although payers had to implement all standards, adoption by providers was not required
  • The process for changing or updating versions of HIPAA standards is slow and cumbersome
  • Vendors have been reluctant to build the range of necessary software for non-revenue-related HIPAA transactions (e.g., eligibility transactions 270/271 and claim status notification 276/277)
In response, Cohn recommended a series of steps to evaluate and improve the ROI of transactions and code sets implementation. For example, HHS should consider not requiring notice and comment rulemaking for a version update of an already existing HIPAA transaction standard, Cohn wrote.

Click here to read Cohn's letter.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles