The American Academy of Family Phys...

The American Academy of Family Physicians' (AAFP's) President James Martin, MD San Antonio, not long ago sent a President's Letter to all AAFP members discussing their readiness for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPAA's) transactions and digest sets standards. Dr. Martin reminded AAFP members that, beginning Oct 16 Medicare and other health plans will gainsay non-HIPAA-compliant claims and will not accept paper claims after this date unles the practice has fewer than 10 employee and is granted a waiver at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The alphabetic character outlined nine steps for physicians to make secure that claims submitted electronically after Oct 16 are not put awayed including directions on how to deal with the practice management billing order or billing system vendor. Dr Martin advised members to be ready for cash melt disruptions "by anticipating a 10 to 20 percent increase in declineed or delayed claims during the fourth quarter of 2002" He also violenceed the long-term benefits of the standardization of business transactions. The filled letter can be found online at www.aafp.org/x22134.xml.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

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