CMS Announces 90-Day Period of Enforcement Discretion for Compliance With New HIPAA 5010 Transaction Standards

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it would not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2012, with respect to any HIPAA covered entity that is not in compliance with the X12 Version 5010 transaction standards.  While CMS will not be pursuing enforcement action, it is important to note that the compliance date for use of the 5010 standards remains January 1, 2012. 

Though enforcement action will not be taken, CMS will continue to accept complaints associated with compliance with 5010 transaction standards during the 90-day period beginning January 1, 2012.  Covered entities that are the subject of complaints will be forced to produce evidence of either compliance or a good faith effort to become compliant with the new HIPAA standards during the 90-day period.

ASA encourages all members to work to be in compliance with the 5010 transaction standards by January 1, 2012. 

Read the notice from CMS.