Tuesday, August 16, 2011

CMS Announces National Version 5010 Testing Week

Monday, August 22, 2011 through Friday, August 26, 2011
The Version 5010 compliance date – Sunday, January 1, 2012 – is fast approaching. All HIPAA covered entities should be taking steps now to get ready, including conducting external testing to ensure timely compliance.   Are you prepared for the transition?

Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) trading partners are encouraged to contact their Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) now and facilitate testing to gain a better understanding of MAC testing protocols and the transition to Version 5010.
To assist in this effort, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in conjunction with the Medicare FFS Program, announce a National 5010 Testing Week to be held Monday, August 22, 2011 through Friday, August 26, 2011. National 5010 Testing Week is an opportunity for trading partners to come together and test compliance efforts that are already underway with the added benefit of real-time help desk support and direct and immediate access to MACs.

CMS encourages all trading partners to participate in the National 5010 Testing Week, including:
Providers;  Clearinghouses and Vendors.
More details concerning transactions to be tested are forthcoming from your local MAC. There are several State Medicaid Agencies who will also be participating in the National 5010 Testing Week; more details on Medicaid testing will become available soon.
Again, CMS National 5010 Testing Week does not preclude trading partners from testing transactions immediately with their MAC. Don’t wait until August! CMS encourages you to begin working with your MAC now to ensure timely compliance.
Note that successful testing is required before a trading partner may be placed into production.
We hope all trading partners will join us during the week of Monday, August 22, 2011 and take advantage of this great opportunity to ensure testing and transition efforts are on track!

For more information on HIPAA Version 5010, please visit the CMS dedicated 5010 website at http://www.CMS.gov/Versions5010andD0.