Denise Buenning from CMS Answers the Industry's Top Questions about the Version 5010 Upgrade

Upgrading to Version 5010 involves significant planning and preparation. The Version 5010/4010A electronic standards upgrade deadline was January 1, 2012. However, CMS enacted an enforcement discretion period through June 30, 2012 for all HIPAA-covered entities. It you haven't upgraded to Version 5010, it is important to begin testing now.

Denise Buenning, MsM, Acting Deputy Director, Office of E-health Standards & Services (OESS) recently took time to answer some of the industry's top questions on the Version 5010 upgrade.

1. Is the industry up to date with the Version 5010 upgrade and taking steps to prepare for the ICD-10 transition? Yes, we are hearing that the industry is progressing with Version 5010 implementation. We also continue to see from the Medicare Fee-For-service (FFS) group consistent increases across the board for 5010 transaction volumes and number of 5010 submitters.
   
   
   We are also hearing that the industry is continuing to take steps to prepare for ICD-10. ICD-10 is a major undertaking for providers, payers, and vendors. It will drive business and systems changes throughout the health care industry, from large national health plans to smaller provider offices, laboratories, hospitals, and more. The updates will go much more smoothly for organizations that plan ahead and prepare now. A successful upgrade to Version 5010 now and transition to ICD-10 later will be vital to transforming our nation's health care system.
   
   
2. What steps should I take if I am behind in the upgrade to Version 5010? There are a number of things that HIPAA-covered entities should do now. Communication among plans, providers, clearinghouses, and vendors, as well as other trading partners, is critical. Below outlines three steps providers can take now: 
   
   
   Reach out to clearinghouses for assistance and/or take advantage of any free or low cost software that may be available from payers.
   
   
   Check with payers now to see what plans they will have in place to handle incoming claims, and what interim alternatives are available.
   
   
   Consider contacting financial institutions to establish lines of credit to get through any possible temporary interruptions in claims reimbursement as a result of not being Version 5010 compliant.
   
   
   CMS has developed a fact sheet for health care providers, which discusses the risk mitigation steps in more detail.
   
   
3. How is CMS helping the industry prepare? The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) and CMS are holding a webinar on ASCX12 5010 implementation and problem solving on May 23, 2012 from 1:00-2:30 pm ET. Registration is free. These online presentations are designed to gather feedback, track challenges and provide guidance to correcting ASC X12 5010 implementation-related issues.
   
   
   WEDI and CMS previously held a webinar on ASCX12 5010 implementation, and  a replay of the webinar with the slides presented is located online.
   
   
   Additionally, the CMS website has official resources to help the industry prepare for Version 5010 and ICD-10. CMS will continue to add new tools and information to the site throughout the course of the transition.
   
   
   Sign up for ICD-10 Email Updates and follow @CMSgov on Twitter for the latest news and resources.