Category Archives: And-You-Thought-Y2K-Was-Tough

First HIPAA Final Rule Published; The Countdown to Mandatory Compliance Begins

On August 17th , the US Department of Health and Human Services published the National Standards for Electronic Transactions final transaction rule, which will have a significant impact on health care organizations conducting business via electronic transactions (such as claims clearinghouses). Available via the Administrative Simplification web, affected organizations have two years to comply with the first Final Rule directive, which will affect workflows, business processes as well as supporting technologies. Stiff fines and jail time await those who do not comply, according to William Braithwaite, senior advisor on healthcare information policy, DHHS.