Administrative Simplification News: Health Plan Certification of Compliance Comment Period Ends April 3

Health Plan Certification of Compliance Comment Period Ends April 3 The extended comment period for the proposed rule, “Administrative Simplification: Health Plan Certification of Compliance,” ends April 3. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is specifically looking to receive comments from third party administrators (TPAs) and self-insured plans. HHS is still accepting public comments on the proposed rule through April 3, 2014. The Certification of Compliance for Health Plans proposed rule is different from previous Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Administrative Simplification regulations because it affects more and different types of entities. For example, many third party administrators, self-funded health plans, and group health plans that have not been impacted by previous HIPAA administrative simplification requirements will be affected by this rule, even if they do not directly conduct HIPAA covered transactions. The proposed rule would require controlling health plans to submit documentation on or before December 31, 2015. It would also establish penalty fees for a controlling health plan that fails to comply with the Certification of Compliance requirements. The goal of the extension of the comment period is to provide these entities with time to understand and offer feedback on the business impacts of the Certification of Compliance proposed rule. HHS encourages these entities to submit feedback so that their comments and suggestions can be considered during the policy-making process. Subscriber Services: Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has sent this update. To contact Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) go to our contact us page.