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The HIPAA Transaction and Code Sets Standard is a set of rules that govern the electronic exchange of health care information. These rules are designed to ensure the secure and efficient transmission of health care claims and other data.
The standard requires health care providers, payers, and clearinghouses to use standardized code sets for billing and claims processing. This includes using the National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC) code set for claim submission.
To comply with the standard, organizations must also implement the HIPAA Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards for transactions, such as claims submission and eligibility verification. This involves using specific formats and codes for each transaction.
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Transaction Sets
Transaction sets are the backbone of HIPAA transactions and code sets. They standardize the electronic exchange of health-related administrative information, such as claims forms.
The HIPAA transactions and code sets regulations require the use of standardized transaction formats to replace proprietary transactions currently in use. This means that medical practices will need to use a handful of standardized transaction formats, rather than hundreds of proprietary ones.
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One of the key transaction sets is the EDI Health Care Claim Transaction set (837), which is used to submit health care claim billing information, encounter information, or both. This transaction set can be sent from providers of health care services to payers, either directly or via intermediary billers and claims clearinghouses.
The 837 transaction set is also used to transmit health care claims and billing payment information between payers with different payment responsibilities, where coordination of benefits is required. This is often the case with state mental health agencies, which may mandate the use of this transaction set for all healthcare claims.
Here are the main transaction sets required under HIPAA:
The EDI Health Care Claim Payment/Advice Transaction Set (835) is another important transaction set, which can be used to make a payment, send an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) remittance advice, or make a payment and send an EOB remittance advice only from a health insurer to a health care provider.
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Eligibility/Benefit Response (271)
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The EDI Health Care Eligibility/Benefit Response (271) is used to respond to a request to inquire about the health care benefits and eligibility associated with a subscriber or dependent.
This transaction set is an interactive response to the 270 inquiry, providing real-time eligibility and benefit information. The 271 response transaction is a crucial part of the eligibility/benefit inquiry process, ensuring that healthcare providers have the necessary information to treat their patients effectively.
The 271 transaction set is typically used by healthcare providers to verify patient eligibility and benefits, allowing them to determine the level of coverage and any out-of-pocket costs associated with a particular service.
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Status and Inquiry
A provider can use the 276 to request status on a submitted claim, and the 277 response transactions are utilized by payers and other entities that process claims. The 276 is utilized by institutional, professional, and dental providers, and supplemental health care claims processors as defined by the regulations.
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Claims status is a standardized format used by healthcare providers and recipients of healthcare products or services to request a healthcare claim status update. This format helps ensure that claims status information is communicated accurately and efficiently.
The EDI Health Care Claim Status Notification (277) is used by a health care payer or authorized agent to notify a provider, recipient, or authorized agent regarding the status of a health care claim or encounter. This notification is at a summary or service line detail level and may be solicited or unsolicited.
Payment and Remittance
Payment and remittance advice is a process where a health plan makes a payment to a financial institution for a healthcare provider. This can include sending an explanation of benefits or remittance advice directly to the provider or via a financial institution.
The 835 Health Care Claim Payment/Remit Advice transaction is used by payers to send electronic remittance advice to requesting providers. It's not automatic and providers must request it through their Clearinghouse.
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Remittance remark codes, represented by the 411 codes, provide non-financial information critical to understanding the adjudication of a health insurance claim. These codes help clarify the payment process.
A transaction set like the EDI Payroll Deducted and other group Premium Payment for Insurance Products (820) can be used to make a premium payment for insurance products. It's used to order a financial institution to make a payment to a payee.
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Electronic Data Exchange
Electronic Data Exchange is a crucial aspect of the HIPAA transaction and code sets standard rules. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) regulations were implemented on October 16, 2003, with the goal of standardizing the electronic exchange of information between trading partners.
The standard format for these transactions is the ANSI ASC X12 version 4010. This ensures consistency and accuracy in the exchange of data. The transactions that are mandated to be in this format include the Eligibility Inquiry, Inquiry and Response, Claim Status Inquiry, and several others.
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Here is a list of the transactions that are mandated to be in the ANSI ASC X12 version 4010 format:
- 270 = Eligibility Inquiry
- 271 = Inquiry and Response
- 276 = Claim Status Inquiry
- 277 = Claim Status Inquiry and Response
- 278 = Authorization Request and Authorization Response
- 820 = Health Insurance Premium Payment
- 834 = Beneficiary Enrollment
- 835 = Remittance / Payment
- 837 = Claim or Encounter
This standardization helps to reduce errors and inconsistencies in the exchange of data, making it easier for healthcare providers to communicate with each other.
HIPAA and Compliance
HIPAA standards apply to health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers that transmit healthcare information in electronic form, to complete healthcare transactions.
These national standards apply to electronic transmissions using all media, including the internet, private networks, leased lines, dial-up lines, and other types of private networks.
Covered entities that complete any of these HIPAA transactions electronically are required to use an adopted standard from ASC X12N or NCPDP for certain pharmacy transactions. Failure to do so can result in penalties for HIPAA violations.
To ensure compliance, it's essential to determine whether the HIPAA transactions and code sets standards apply to your practice. If your practice files claims electronically or sends paper claims to a billing service that submits claims electronically on your behalf, you must comply with HIPAA.
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Here are the options for submitting claims and other transactions in HIPAA-standard formats:
- Submit claims and other transactions directly to payers in HIPAA-standard formats.
- Continue to send non-HIPAA-standard electronic transactions and use a clearinghouse for translation to the HIPAA-standard formats.
- Submit paper claims directly to health plans, except for Medicare, which will require electronic claims submission on October 16.
- Send paper claims to a billing service to be converted into an electronic format, then to a clearinghouse for translation to the new HIPAA-standard format and then on to payers.
- Use a Web-based, payer-provided service to enter HIPAA-standard data content online, known as direct data entry or DDE.
HIPAA
HIPAA is a set of regulations that standardize the electronic exchange of health-related administrative information, such as claims forms. This includes transactions like claim/encounter, eligibility inquiry and response, and health care payment and remittance advice.
The HIPAA transactions and code sets regulations were published in 2000 and modified in 2010 to include newer standards for several transactions. These standards apply to health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers that transmit healthcare information in electronic form.
The new HIPAA standards require practice management software that incorporates the new HIPAA-standard formats before claims leave your office. This means you'll need to make sure your software is updated to meet the new standards.
There are several options for submitting claims and other transactions under HIPAA, including submitting directly to payers, using a clearinghouse, or sending paper claims to a billing service. However, using a clearinghouse may cost your practice additional fees and may not always get it right.
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Here are some of the key HIPAA-standard transactions that most medical practices will be required to use:
By understanding the HIPAA regulations and implementing the necessary changes to your practice management software, you can ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
Enrollment
Enrollment is a critical aspect of HIPAA compliance, and it's essential to understand the different formats and processes involved. The EDI Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance Set (834) is used by employers, unions, government agencies, and insurance agencies to enroll members to a payer.
This format can be used for enrollment, and it's essential to establish communication between the sponsor of a health benefit and the health plan. The payer can be a healthcare organization, such as an insurance company, HMO, or PPO.
To enroll members, you can use a Web-based, payer-provided service to enter HIPAA-standard data content online, known as direct data entry or DDE. However, not all payers offer this option.
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Here are the different options for submitting claims and transactions:
- Submit claims and other transactions directly to payers in HIPAA-standard formats.
- Send non-HIPAA-standard electronic transactions from your practice management system, using a clearinghouse for translation to the HIPAA-standard formats.
- Submit paper claims directly to health plans, except for Medicare.
- Send paper claims to a billing service to be converted into an electronic format, then to a clearinghouse for translation to the new HIPAA-standard format and then on to payers.
- Use a Web-based, payer-provided service to enter HIPAA-standard data content online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the consequences of violating HIPAA transactions and code sets rule?
Violating the HIPAA transactions and code sets rule can result in voluntary compliance, technical assistance, or a fine, with most cases resolved through voluntary measures. However, a fine may be imposed in more severe cases, so it's essential to understand the full range of consequences
What is a complaint relating to the transaction and code set rule?
A complaint related to the transaction and code set rule involves issues with non-compliant or rejected healthcare transactions, such as receiving an incorrect or incomplete transaction. This can disrupt the secure exchange of healthcare information, requiring attention to resolve the issue.
Sources
- https://www.edibasics.com/edi-resources/document-standards/hipaa/
- https://www.dshs.texas.gov/health-insurance-portability-accountability-act-hipaa-home
- https://www.zengrc.com/uncategorized/what-are-hipaa-standards-for-transactions/
- https://www.cigna.com/health-care-providers/coverage-and-claims/hipaa-compliance-standards/transaction-code-set-standards
- https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2003/0900/p57.html
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