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  Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
LinuxMedNews Posted by Terrence Wright on Tuesday March 01, 2005 @ 04:41 PM
from the Web-based Billing Software dept.
I. What is FreeHIPAA?
FreeHIPAA is a best of breed Internet application that was built with the goal of providing a secure, quick, reliable and simple means to generate and transfer HIPAA compliant claim files. FreeHIPAA uses the most pervasive and time tested web technology today to create the easiest and fastest way for providers regardless of size or technical resources to send electronic medical claims. Digg this article

A. Internet Solution
1. FreeHIPAA is a web based application that allows anyone with an Internet connection and browser the means to access billing software regardless of geographic location.

2. Application Platform - LAMP
FreeHIPAA is based on the web platform known as LAMP. LAMP refers to a set of tools; (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) that allow for rapid deployment and development of enterprise level applications. LAMP can be briefly defines as the open source web platform.

Linux - provides a standards compliant robust operating system that inherits the UNIX legacy for security and stability which can run on most common hardware platforms.

Apache - is the most popular web server on the Internet and presently holds 67% of the market. Apache is based on the NCSA (National Center for Super Computing Applications) web server.

MySQL is a fast flexible Relational Database. MySQL is the most widely used Relational Database System in the world with over 4 million instance in use.

PHP - is the most popular scripting language for developing dynamic web based applications. PHP is capable of extremely robust and complicated processes. PHP is currently in use on over 8 million web sites.

4. Security
FreeHIPAA uses an array of security measures to ensure that the application meets HIPAA security requirements such as:

  • Use of digital ids to authenticate users
  • 128-bit SSL to encrypt data viewed over the web
  • GnuPG encryption keys to secure file transfers and mask Protected Health Information (PHI)
  • Application and Network firewall's to prevent hacking of the system
  • Restricted physical access to the data center and server limited to authorized personnel
  • Kane Web Monitoring service to alert support personnel if application is down
  • Network and Application logging to track users
  • One-way hash of database password
  • Nightly backups of data
  • Stand by disaster recovery servers

B. User Interface
One of the goals of FreeHIPAA was to create a simple interface that would allow users to transition from a paper to electronic process with minimal training and no setup.

The interface can be divided into the following sections:

* Registration - The registration page is where a single provider or practice would go to register their personal information such as business name, phone number, contact name, email address etc. Once the user has registered and been confirmed they will be issued a digital id to allow them to access the system. Digital Ids are the most secure means to authenticate a user and offer the additional benefit of lowering support requests by not having to worry about lost user names and passwords.

* Claim forms - Upon going to the web site the first screen that greets the user is the Claim Forms page. The Claim Form page lists claims hat have been entered into the system that have not yet been batched into an 837p file.

To get started, a user would only have to click the "Create claim form" button. All their patient, provider and payer information is pre-loaded. The claims entry screen was designed to mirror an HCFA-1500 paper form, which most providers are familiar with.

pic

pic

* Export - The export module is where a user goes to send, download, view, and create an 837p batch file. Claims are batched by receiver. Upon clicking the send button the file is encrypted and transferred. If there are errors within the claim the user is notified of what the claim are problems are. The system will not allow a user to bundle claims with errors.

* Setup - The setup module is where a user goes to modify their personal information, add/edit primary responsible, patient and payer information.

With just 9 screens that are familiar, intuitive, and simple to use, users can easily grasp the functionality of the system and start submitting HIPAA compliant claims immediately.

To view a demo of the system go to: http://www.FreeHIPAA.net

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  • The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them.
    ( Reply )

    Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
    by Davette Clark on Tuesday December 06, 2005 @ 11:29 AM
    Terrence, Two questions....Why didn't they notify users that the system would be down from the 4th - 7th?? At least one week's notice would have been helpful,...especially around the Christmas season. sob...sob.. I didn't see the notice until the morning of the 4th.. And the other question is...how will that affect any billing that would be released normally by Friday, 23rd...is that considered holiday time... Please respond when you get a chance...I am soooo sad...that I was not able to download my "Christmas $$$$$" in time.... Davette
    [ Reply to this ]
    • Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
      by Linda Howard on Friday September 01, 2006 @ 06:00 PM
      I have been unable toaccess the site fortwo days. Help I am preparing for an audit and need copies of my HCFA 1500.
      [ Reply to this ]
    Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
    by Jamie Wagner on Wednesday February 06, 2008 @ 02:46 AM
    Hi, I have used freehipaa software for two years but recently have not been able to access my account. I am not sure what has transpired and have not been able to log on to their website, I would like to have the ability to access previous billing records and to submit my current billing through them. Any information regarding how to contact freehipaa or how to access my account would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jamie Wagner email address: jwagner29@charter.net
    [ Reply to this ]
    • Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
      by Erin Misovic on Monday February 18, 2008 @ 09:00 PM
      Hi Jamie, I have been unable to bill with Freehipaa since December. Have you had any success getting back into free hipaa? Have you found another program to use? Thanks! Erin Misovic
      [ Reply to this ]
    • Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
      by Joe Dundas on Thursday February 28, 2008 @ 03:06 AM
      I would like to recommend E.I. Assistant. We have a lot of providers coming over since FreeHipaa up and disappeared. Come over to www.eiassistant.com and check it out. E-mail me and I will get you in touch with others that were in the same situation as you. Come hear what they have to say.

      E.I. Assistant has not had any downtime since we started almost 2 years ago. It always has and always will be there for you.
      [ Reply to this ]
    • Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
      by Admin on Monday March 09, 2009 @ 09:00 PM
      To all who have wondered what happened to freeHIPAA here is the official report that until now was suppressed due to a signing of a non-discloure agreement.

      In early 2002 it was brought to the attention of a local vendor contracted out to the state that their system had to be converted to accept electronic claims to meet the upcoming HIPAA requirements.

      After much back and forth and pressure by the state via the threat of pulling the contract the vendor spent in excess of $386,000 dollars converting their system to process HIPAA compliant claims.

      Even though the vendor had a system in place to process the HIPAA cliams they had not thought of how the providers were going to send them. Their rational was that most of the larger providers would send through a clearing house or upgrade their systems to send directly. Unfortunately that left over 3,000 provider out in the cold with no direction on what or how to do it.

      The IT manager at the time proposed that the vendor build a website that would allow the providers to submit their claims directly in the HIPAA format. The IT manager was told that the company did not think he was smart enough or capable enough to build such a system.

      Without the support of the company the IT Manager decided he would build the system on his own; spending his own money to contract out to other programmers and investing huge amounts of his own time to build the system. The hope was that the vendor would see the advantage of his system and utilize it as one of their core services to make the operation more efficient and help the providers in need.

      In January 2005 the system was launched and withing a few months numerous providers were using the system to send cliams in directly. The system worked so well that providers who had previously been paid every 6 to 8 weeks were now being paid within 1 week after submitting their claims.

      In August of 2005 the IT manager was let go partly due to the fact he had launced freeHIPAA without higher approval and due to political factors within the company.

      In November 2005 the vendor closed direct submission of freeHIPAA claims without warning or reason. When I inquired as to what was going on with the vendor I was told that they would not speak directly with me and to not call again.

      Without the ability to submit directly and with over 300 providers relying on the system the decision was made to redirect the claims through the clearinghouse wich the vendor was legally obligated to process. The conversion took 3 intensive weeks.

      However, relations between freeHIPAA and the vendor did not improve. Several of freeHIPAA customers were told not to use the software, others were lied to and told the software was not HIPAA compliant, and yet others when they called the vendor to inquire about their claims would not be given any information if it was discovered that they were using freeHIPAA.

      In February 2006 the vendor released a third party product they had purchased for tens of thousands of dollars and sent out a massive communications campaign asking all providers to switch to their service for the promise of more efficient claims processing.

      At the same time they sent out legal notice to freeHIPAA stating infringement on "their" Intelletctual Property.

      With over 65% of the providers jumping ship and the prospect of a huge legal battle with the vendor it was decided that freeHIPAA would be discontinued.

      The sad part of the story is that a good system that worked, THAT COST ONLY PENNIES A DAY TO OPERATE, that could of saved both the vendor and providers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year was squashed because the vendor wanted to push it's own agenda in software that is neither theirs or they completely understand. Software that costs them in excess of $25,000 a year in licensing fees alone

      to all former customers of freeHIPAA I want you to know I tried my best.

      TW
      [ Reply to this ]
    Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
    by Shonda on Thursday February 28, 2008 @ 04:11 AM
    I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to log onto freehipaa.net since the beginning of the year. I have not been able to find contact information to call or email freehipaa or anything. Does anyone know what has happened? I have had to find other sources to completer our billing. However it would be helpful to be able to access prior files to finalize the transition.
    [ Reply to this ]
    Re: Free HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Software
    by Vince Joseph on Thursday February 28, 2008 @ 07:13 PM
    Have you taken a look at alloFactor? alloFactor is a free practice management software solution for medical practices. It is the only software a clinic would ever need as it supports all internal clinic functions including scheduling, registration, billing, EMR, reporting and all external interactions with payers including claim submission, ERA and eligibility verification. The software is built to allow communication with external agencies such as billing, transcription, appointment scheduling vendors.
    If you have data in FreeHIPAA we will help you migrate data into alloFactor for free. Since it has extensive functionality, website has free tutorials and free customer service to help customers become proficient with the system. With an integrated database and automated workflow, alloFactor increases productivity, velocity and accuracy within the clinic.

    It is deployed as Linux hosted solution eliminating the need to purchase expensive hardware or backup solutions. All communication is encrypted to protect patient information. alloFactor is unique in that it does not use a web browser; instead it has the familiar, intuitive Windows based interface. alloFactor automatically self-updates with the latest version, which are generally released every 2 weeks. Since it is not browser based, alloFactor can directly interface with compatible desktop products such as scanners and mobile charge capture software.

    Why would you pay for another product with less features when alloFactor is free? alloFactor's business model is truly unique - it does not charge for its software modules, customer service and setup. There are no embedded advertisements. alloFactor generates its revenue by charging a small fee for each payer transaction, typically less than what you would pay your clearinghouse to submit claims electronically. For more details go to www.alloFactor.com
    [ Reply to this ]
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