HHS proposes modifications to HIPAA standards for electronic transactions

The updated version of the health care transactions standard would replace Version 4010/4010A1. The new version, Version 5010, includes structural, front matter, technical, and data content improvements. Because the updated versions are more specific in requiring the data that is needed, collected, and transmitted in a transaction, their adoption would reduce ambiguities. Version 5010 would also accommodate the use of ICD-10 code sets, which are not supported by Version 4010/4010A1. HHS proposes a compliance date for implementing Version 5010 April 1, 2010. It is important for organizations to perform a gap analysis of how the 5010 changes will impact the transactions they perform. Washington Publishing Company (WPC) publishes the 5010 Implementation Guides and 5010 Change Description Guides for each transaction that compares the exiting 4010 format with the new 5010 and what the changes, additions and deletions are.