Official Final Rules -- including formal Federal Regulations -- adopting updated HIPAA transactions and code sets were published today, 1/16/2009, in the Federal Register. They may be obtained at the following links: Transactions: X12 and NCPDP http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-740.pdf Code Sets: ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-743.pdf The initial compliance date for the updated X12 transactions (005010) is 3/17/2009 [potentially a mistake], and the sunset date for current X12 transactions (004010 and 004010A1) is 12/31/2011. The compliance date for use of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS and sunset date for ceasing use of ICD-9-CM volumes 1,2 and 3 is 10/01/2013. An interesting newly added provision of the transactions rule is 45 CFR 162.925(a)(6): "During the period from March 17, 2009, through December 31, 2011, a health plan may not delay or reject a standard transaction, or attempt to adversely affect the other entity or the transaction, on the basis that it does not comply with another adopted standard for the same period." Copies of X12's Type 3 Technical Reports (TR3s) incorporated by reference into the transactions Final Rule may be obtained via the following link: http://store.X12.org . As CMS is no longer subsidizing X12 for these documents, it will cost you directly to have them downloaded or shipped. Note, though, that there is a single price for a package of all nine of the adopted version 005010 TR3s, and significant discounts are available to X12 members. The first page of an online X12 membership application, including a dues schedule, is located at https://www.disa.org/apps/memberservices/x12/X12MembershipSection1.cfm A summary of the changes between the current X12 version 004010 and 004010A1 Implementation Guides and the newly adopted version 005010 TR3s is available at http://www.x12.org/x12org/subcommittees/X12N/N0221_WEDI-X12-V5010_file.pdf. Webinars about the adopted X12 version 005010 TR3s can be arranged via http://www.x12.org/webinars/5010.cfm. Topics covered in these webinars include: + the business justification for solutions included in version 005010 + examples of how the implementation of version 005010 transactions addresses industry-requested requirements + specific answers to some of the questions from public comments to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) + details of changes across all affected transactions, including the explanatory, technical and structural modifications + details of how version 005010 is improved compared to version 004010 and 004010A1 + insight from original subject matter experts. These webinars will be given live during February, and will be available for on-demand playback thereafter. Again note that X12 members receive a discount on webinar fees. The final step in this HIPAA transactions and code sets adoption process is clearing the Congressional Review period on or about 3/16/2009. After that, if Congress takes no action -- the expected outcome -- the regulations go into effect. Dave Feinberg Rensis Corporation [A Consulting Company] 206-617-1717 DAFeinberg@xxxxxxxxxxxx Author of "Understanding HIPAA Communications"