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HIPAA extension deadline looms
WASHINGTON — Eye care practitioners have until Wednesday to comply with government standards for electronic records transactions, unless they file for an extension by tomorrow. According to a CIBA Vision e-mail survey, about 73% of practitioners have filed for the extension.
The health care law firm Arent Fox strongly recommends that practices not already in compliance file for an extension immediately.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires physicians to come into compliance with its standards for electronic health care transactions and code set by Oct. 16, unless an extension request is filed by Oct. 15. While HIPAA does not require the submission of electronic health care claims, practices that choose to file claims electronically must use the HIPAA format beginning Wednesday. If a practice performs an electronic transaction for which there is a standard format but does not use the HIPAA format, the practice will be subject to civil monetary penalties of $100 per violation, up to a cap of $25,000.
In addition to requiring the electronic filing requirements, another main provision of HIPAA is protection of the privacy of patients’ medical records. Practices have until April 14, 2003, to come into compliance with this section of the act.
The electronic request for an extension may be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/ascaform.asp